Plays centered around witchcraft have long captivated audiences with their elements of mystery, intrigue, and the supernatural. From Shakespeare's timeless tragedy "Macbeth" to Arthur Miller's chilling exploration of the Salem witch trials in "The Crucible," these plays delve into the dark realms of witchcraft and its consequences. **"Macbeth"** is one of the most famous plays centered around witchcraft. Shakespeare weaves a tale of ambition, prophecy, and supernatural forces. The three witches in the play ignite Macbeth's desire for power, leading to a series of tragic events. The play explores themes of fate, morality, and the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition.
Misdirections Magic Shop: The Inner Sunset's Wizard School
Having mastered his first magic trick at the age of five, San Francisco native Joe Pon has devoted his entire life to the art of illusion. After opening Misdirections Magic Shop in the Inner Sunset nearly two decades ago, Pon and his store have become a cornerstone of the Bay Area's magic community.
Misdirections carries everything a magician needs, including props, DVDs and how-to books, and Pon goes the extra step, teaching customers how to do the tricks themselves. Hoodline interviewed him at his store to learn more about one of the city's two remaining magic shops (the other is Houdini’s Magic Shop at Pier 39).
Why did you decide to open a magic shop?
"It’s my first love, I’ve been doing it since I was five. When I got married, my wife didn’t want to travel, so I opened up a magic shop, so instead of being a performer, I became a teacher and a mentor. I’ve actually taught some of the biggest names in magic nationwide and in the Bay Area."
Really? Like who?
"David Copperfield, David Blaine, Criss Angel. From scratch I taught Alex Ramon, who’s probably the top from the Bay Area guys, and now he’s one of the larger names in magic. As far as other Bay Area magicians, I’ve taught Jay Alexander, Christian Cagigal and Big Alcatraz."
(At this point in the interview, Pon pauses to sell a magic trick to a boy and his father, doing a quick demonstration before resuming our conversation.)
Whoa! So does that happen all the time?
"This is not just a regular magic shop. I care about the magic, I’m not just trying to sell you stuff. People always come in and say they want to learn. But I say, ‘you have to practice!' Magic isn’t about secrets only. It’s like learning how to play piano, learning how to juggle, learning martial arts. You must practice to be good."
What was that you told him after you sold him the trick?
"I told him the three points of magic: One, you must practice. Two, you've got to keep it a secret. Three, you can never repeat a trick. It’s like watching a movie. First time is magic, second time is education. Magic is all about the surprise element, too."
Is there really a “magician’s code?”
"The code is that we don’t tell anybody how to do tricks, but then there’s the question, ‘Well how can you sell magic?’ The reason I can is that there is a code. When you are a magician, you can reveal certain things, but there’s an ethics to it. First you buy it, and then you invest the time and you practice it . and then you’re gonna just give it away? You don’t want to do that. Even among magicians we don’t reveal everything. But I’m the guy who knows everything. Most people perform for lay people, or muggles, as they are called. I perform for magicians, which is much harder."
So there is a sort of conflict between being a magic salesman and a magician at the same time?
"Yes, there’s a fine line. Because I’m a dealer, I’m here to protect the tricks too. I find what level you’re on before I sell you a trick. Just like if you are into martial arts, if you are a white belt, I’m not going to just tell you how to break a board right away."
Would you ever not sell a trick or a DVD if you didn’t think someone was ready?
"Yes, I have done that, many, many times. In fact, some people have gotten mad at me. But I care about the magic."
What's the relationship between magic secrets and the performance itself?
"Magic is not about the secret. The real magic is about the performer. These are instruments, I sell instruments. If you are a great performer, you can use the magic and be great. If you’re just okay, then they are just props."
How do those huge, large-scale illusions work?
"Well first off, I can’t tell you that. From the largest to the smallest trick, I can’t tell you. But I have all the secrets here. So, if you are willing to study and practice, I have it and I will direct you to the right things."
Tell us more about your services here at Misdirections.
"Anything you buy from me, I will teach you for free. I also have lectures where I bring in famous magicians, where they come and teach. These range from $30 to $40. This place is the magic scene in San Francisco. I built a community. It’s a small but big group, so anything that happens in magic, you can always find it here. From shows to lectures, workshops, anything. Anything about magic is always here."
What’s the most amazing trick you’ve ever seen?
"You know what? I still get fooled. People come in all the time and try to fool me. But the most amazing trick I’ve ever seen was a vanishing silk handkerchief when I was five, and that’s what got me into it. After all, magic is like Santa Claus. People don’t really want to know the secret to magic. Once people know the secret, once you learn magic, you can never go back."
Can magic be used for evil?
"Yeah. In some parts of the world, magic can be seen as a special power. In America, it’s a show, but in other parts, it’s voodoo and you can make people believe you have a special power. You just hope people will use their powers for good."
Why do you like magic so much?
"I love the entertainment value. Magic, if you took the entertainment value out, why then it’s just a puzzle. But that’s not what magic’s about. It’s about making people feel good. I want to amuse and confuse you, all at the same time."
Misdirections Magic Shop is located at 1326 9th Ave. and is open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 6pm and from noon to 5pm on Sundays (closed Mondays). If you'd like to attend an instructional lecture by magician Jeff McBride on February 22nd, stop by Misdirections to purchase tickets.
Misdirections magic shop
Alex Ramon headlining in "Illusion Fusion" @ Horizon Casino Resort, South Lake Tahoe
Fresh from dazzling crowds at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, master magician Alex Ramon will make Southshore remarkably more magical! Edgy enough for kids, but friendly enough for parents, Illusion Fusion starring Alex Ramon is set to mesmerize at the Horizon Casino Resort Lake Tahoe, NV.
EXTENDED till September.
Shows nightly Thursday - Monday
8:00pm
2 Shows Saturday Nights 7:00pm & 9:00pm
www.tickefly.com
Horizon Casino Resort, Lake Tahoe
The San Francisco Ghost Hunt Meet real ghosts from wild and romantic times gone by. You will enjoy nearly three hours of guaranteed unearthly fun! The Ghost Hunt is delighted to introduce you to San Francisco's most notorious ghosts at 7:00 pm six evenings a week, closed Tuesdays. Call 415-922-5590 to confirm.
$20 person.
**** Misdirections Magic Club 25% off
415-922-5590
www.sfghosthunt.com
The San Francisco Ghost Hunt take place year around, in every weather, in a beautiful historic neighborhood in the comfortable Pacific Heights district. The one mile walking tour is in a quiet residential area surrounding a vast well kept park. The locality is free of the usual urban unpleasantness, there is even no business traffic. The Ghost Hunt shows a very local side of San Francisco many have been dying to see. There is one modrate hill, the pace is easy and the views are spectacular. You will enjoy nearly three hours of guaranteed unearthly fun
***SOMETHING COOL YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT: Doug Henning performing Close-Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06O46DjlvzQ
The play explores themes of fate, morality, and the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition. **"The Crucible"** by Arthur Miller is a powerful play that examines the hysteria and paranoia surrounding witchcraft in 17th-century Salem, Massachusetts. Set during the real-life Salem witch trials, Miller uses the witchcraft accusations as a metaphor for the destructive power of fear and the danger of collective hysteria.
There are really only two significant "brick and mortar" magic shops in the greater Bay area
In SanFrancisco, there is Misdirections and Houdini's Magic, although in Martinez, the California Magic Dinner Theatre does also sell some magic. While not a storefront, Byron Walker is a major book supplier and sells new and used books from his home.
The play explores themes of persecution, justice, and the human capacity for manipulation and deceit. **"Dr. Faustus"** by Christopher Marlowe tells the story of a scholar who makes a pact with the Devil and becomes a practitioner of witchcraft. Driven by his desire for knowledge and power, Faustus sells his soul in exchange for magical powers and experiences the consequences of his actions. The play explores themes of temptation, moral corruption, and the struggle between good and evil. **"Bell, Book and Candle"** by John Van Druten presents a lighter take on witchcraft. The play follows a modern-day witch named Gillian and her love for a mortal man. Through spells and magic, Gillian tries to navigate the complexities of love, human relationships, and her own identity as a witch. The play explores themes of self-discovery, love, and the challenges of living as an outsider. Plays centered around witchcraft offer audiences a glimpse into the supernatural world and the human struggle against dark forces. Through themes of ambition, fear, temptation, and identity, these plays shed light on the complexities of human nature and the consequences of meddling with the supernatural. Whether tragic or comedic, these plays continue to captivate audiences with their exploration of witchcraft and its impact on society..
Reviews for "The Wicked and Wonderful: Iconic Witchcraft Plays Worth Watching"
- Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I found "Plays centered around witchcraft" to be highly disappointing. I expected a thrilling and suspenseful experience, but instead, I was met with a predictable and cliché storyline. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, I was not captivated by the production and left feeling unsatisfied.
- Robert Thompson - 1 star - I have always been intrigued by witchcraft and was excited to see "Plays centered around witchcraft", but I was sorely disappointed. The play lacked originality and failed to offer any new insight into the subject matter. The acting was mediocre, and the pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. I would not recommend wasting your time on this production.
- Emily Lewis - 2.5 stars - While "Plays centered around witchcraft" had its moments, overall, I found it to be underwhelming. The storyline had potential, but it fell flat due to weak character development and a lackluster plot progression. Additionally, the production design seemed amateurish, with poorly executed special effects and set designs. It's unfortunate because the concept had potential, but it was not executed effectively in this production.