theatrical illusion
Onstage visual deception
Theatrical illusion refers to effects that deceive an audience's senses during a performance—making someone appear to vanish, levitate, or transform.
The term covers both stage magic tricks and broader stagecraft: lighting, scenery, and sound that create worlds that don't exist.
The flying sequence relied on wires and theatrical illusion.
By extension, any elaborate deception meant to convince observers: His confident manner was pure theatrical illusion.
- suspension of disbeliefTolerating fiction's implausibilities
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- mimesisArtistic imitation of reality
- propsTheater accessories or praise
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
simulacrum · scrims · puppetry · dramatic timing · sleight of hand · trick of the light · catharsis · projection mapping · dramatic irony · lighting effects · costumes · soundscapes · backdrops · makeup · trapdoors · trap door · behind the curtain · immersion
theatrical illusionreality
What actually exists
truth · documentary footage · unvarnished truth · real life · actuality
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