Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

The larger room, A, will form the auditorium, and the smaller, B, the stage; a and b representing the doors leading to the landing, and c c the folding doors between the two rooms. The folding doors (which act as curtain) being first closed, the spectators are marshalled into A, and requested to take their seats, and the door b is then closed, to remain so throughout the entertainment. The room B is arranged as follows:--The “table” d is placed in the centre, towards the back, with its servante properly arranged. This may either stand alone, or may be supplemented by a couple of side tables, e e. An ordinary table, f, should be placed outside the door, and upon this will be laid in due order the various pieces of apparatus and other articles which will be required in the course of the entertainment. A working programme should be kept on this table for the use of the performer and his assistant, with a note of the articles required for the purpose of each trick. This will enable them to have everything ready at the right moment, without delay or confusion. The door a should be kept open, so that the assistant, from his place by the table f, can instantly see and hear what is wanted. When the performer has made his bow to his audience, there are still one or two little points that he will do well to bear in mind. They may be summarized as follows:--