ABSTRACT
Drawing on contemporary research on magic (Mangan 2007), this chapter situates the staging of paranormal events, such as séance and psychic activity, within the discipline of performance theory. In order to do so, it looks at the simulation of the paranormal in a theatrical context and examines the methods by which events are made to appear so real. It will look in particular at the application of magic (conjuring) techniques in theatrical contexts, examining how these can be employed to generate and manipulate narrative, meaning and experience in paranormal performance.
