The House of Magic, a forthcoming dual-theater entertainment venue at 101 S Easton Road (the former PNC Bank building) in Glenside, will be hosting headliners each weekend beginning this spring courtesy of Smoke & Mirrors Theater.
Marty Martin and Danny Archer, Smoke & Mirrors’ owners since 2013, say they will be bringing some of the most well-known magicians from around the world to Glenside.
“Our mainstay is to provide the world with the true art of magic, particularly for adults, so they can see a skill level of the people we bring in are the best in the world,” Martin said.
Martin and Archer emphasize that their evening hour-long headlined shows are a time for adults to leave the kids at home.
“The shows are 16-and-up, not because of dirty language or anything like that, but because the type of entertainment isn’t something kids would appreciate. These magicians deal with serious social issues,” Martin, a former house magician in Denver, said.
House of Magic owner Marc DeSouza, an award-winning full-time performer for years, noted that the House of Magic separates itself from the roughly 500 magic theaters around the country because of its mission: To present the best magic in the world and to educate people about the art.
“This is thoroughly different than the others. There are very few that are purpose-built venues. None of them have a museum, and for those that want to learn more, we want to give them the opportunity to learn more,” DeSouza said. “You don’t need to be a member or a guest of a member, and you don’t need to wear fancy clothes. Anyone can come to a show.”
“The presentation is what makes it. It’s a show, the likes of which you see in Vegas and Broadway,” DeSouza said. “One of the phrases we use is ‘Your next best night out’. Most people have never experienced what we provide, which is pure amazement.”
Around age 30, DeSouza started sponsoring educational lectures, an element of the magic industry that he plans to bring to Glenside.
He has also competed—and gold medaled—in the Olympics of Magic.
“Now I train guys who are in those competitions. The House of Magic will be training people who have a serious interest,” he said.
Together, the trio plans to offer VIP experiences, which include a private show following the headliner, as well as a chance to relax, enjoy a beverage, and see the museum if guests so please.
The Origins of Smoke & Mirrors Theater
Martin’s foray into magic entertainment came at age 13. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1969, and his skillset provided a service to American soldiers at the time.
“They found out that I was a magician, and I had the opportunity to perform for the troops. They created a group called The Magic Conspiracy, and we toured where big shows wouldn’t go,” Martin said.
From there, he played Caesar’s Palace in Vegas for years and worked as a pyrotechnics coordinator alongside superstars like Michael Jackson.
Asher’s interest in magic began at age 29, eventually turning the hobby into a full-time career. From there, he began a lecture circuit with like-minded artists.
“I created a network of magicians. I was booking lectures for everyone, and then I started doing my own lectures overseas,” he said.
After playing various European cities roughly 12 years ago, he told Martin that he wanted to launch a magic theater. Smoke & Mirrors Theater was born shortly thereafter.
“I called Marc and asked if he wanted to be a part of it. Lou Schaeffer helped us create the best theater in the U.S. at the time,” Asher said, noting that Smoke & Mirrors has since been copied by many. “The House of Magic will be the finest magic theater in the country. It’s going to be extraordinary. That’s how our paths all came together in Glenside.”
The former Huntingdon Valley-based theater terminated its lease on December 31. Their operation has been coming to the House of Magic one truckload at a time.
To watch the venue’s recent progress update, you can check out the video below:
More to Come
The Glenside venue is still on target for an April launch, with the first “test” shows planned towards the middle to end of March. In addition to weekend shows, weeknights will provide informational lectures, open mic nights, and more.
In the interim, businesses are able to book Smoke & Mirrors for events. After the theater opens its doors, businesses will also be able to rent the facility at 101 S Easton Road.
The House of Magic’s website is now live and gradually being populated. DeSouza said blog updates and additional photos will be uploaded soon.
Tickets to shows are now sale. April 4-5 will feature Peter Samelson’s “Magic, Love, Mystery”, April 11-12 will feature Chris Capehart’s “Master Magician”, and April 18-19 will feature Javi Benitez’s “Supreme Sleight of Hand”.
For our previous coverage about the venue’s offerings, you can click here. For a recent Canvas Rebel interview featuring Danny Asher, you can click here.
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