From time immemorial tales have come out of the Far East about the weird mysteries of the Orientals. Writers and artists have woven strange stories and have drawn fascinating pictures of Oriental Magic. Because of this, the public has come to believe that mysteries of the Orient have an unusual charm.
Oriental Magic - that is, Magic which is of Oriental origin - Magic from China, Japan, India, Egypt, Persia.
In reality, the Oriental Magician is no more clever than the Occidental Magician. But because the Oriental comes from a distant, strange land, his appeal is greater. The Oriental has had good publicity and you can gain by it. Put Oriental mysteries into your programs and you can profit by the appeal of the Oriental.
In favor of Oriental presentation of Magic is the chance to use odd lighting effects, beautiful costumes, mysterious designs, etc. There is no end to stage effects which you can secure in presenting Oriental Magic.
The Magic need not necessarily be of Oriental origin, but can be presented in that manner. You can take modern American or European effects and build them up in Oriental style. Oriental Magic can be presented in special costume or in modern day dress. Sometimes just a bit of costuming or scenic effect or a few painted decorations give the desired effect. And in Magic, the EFFECT is the important thing.
Give any ordinary experiment the proper atmosphere to awaken the imaginations of your spectators and you make that experiment a wonderfully effective thing. Oriental technique can sometimes make a sensation of even a commonplace magical effect. The secret of it all is SHOWMANSHIP - and Oriental Magic gives you a wonderful opportunity for most effective showmanship.
