American Magic-Lantern Theater -

America's Only Authentic 1890's Magic-Lantern Shows

Magic-Lantern Showman performs in our Traveling Theater

About Our Traveling Theater -- The Nation's only Traveling Magic-Lantern Shows

We are a Traveling Theater

The American Magic-Lantern Theater is the only professional traveling theater company in the country. We re-create Victorian "Magic-Lantern Shows" -- a popular 1890s combination of projected color images, live drama, live music, hilarious comedy and boisterous audience participation. The shows were "the great grandfather of the cinema" -- what the movies developed from 100 years ago. Our recreated traveling theater is authentic -- using antique equipment, and the content, music, and dramatic style of the 1890s. To see a live show click Current Schedule.

How our Traveling Theater actually Works

In our traveling shows, a magnificent old brass-and-mahogany "magic-lantern" -- the multi-lens forerunner of the movie projector -- rapidly projects the pictures on a full-size movie screen.

Instead of flexible movie film, the lantern uses 3" glass slides -- hand-painted 100 years ago -- to illustrate dramatic stories, beautiful songs and outrageous comedy, all from the Victorian period. The slides are spectacular -- dramatic, detailed, colorful. They change about every 30 seconds, and many of the comic slides actually move -- the first cartoon animation.

What would become the "sound track" of the movies is provided by dramatic narration from a magic-lantern showman. He is a master of voice and accent, often creating as many as 20 different characters in a single show. A professional soprano and accompanist, the second member of the cast, sings the solos, leads the sing-alongs, and provides live musical underscoring for the stories.

Animated Slide from Magic Lantern Traveling Show

Audience participation contributes the "special effects" -- some people bang on tambourines and toot horns, and everyone is encouraged to join in chants and sing-alongs. Our cast is very skillful at drawing people in. No one is ever embarrassed; everyone has a great time.

OUR REPERTOIRE

There are ten different seasonal or holiday shows, each in versions that can run from 1/2 hour to 1-1/2 hours long. All the shows are fast-paced and varied -- sometimes boisterous and funny, sometimes tender and moving -- and appeal to adults, seniors, families, and children over six. All traveling shows are available in any language in the world using our very successful Translated Format. We also offer a special show for the pre-school set. Click here to see a detailed description of Our Repertoire.

Magic Lantern Touring Show in Large Theater

This picture, taken from the sound booth of the 1000-seat Smith Opera House, shows the set up for a magic lantern traveling show in a large theater.. The projected image is about 25 feet high. To stage right is the pianist/singer at her piano. To stage left is the opening gong. At center in the orchestra pit, is the lantern, showman, and assistant.

PAST PERFORMANCE VENUES

The American Magic-Lantern Theater has given over a thousand performances of its traveling shows in theaters and performing arts centers around the world, from Lincoln Center to Singapore -- at venues ranging from 100 to 3,000 seats. Click Here to see comments from presenters.

NATIONAL CRITICAL ACCLAIM!

Modern Audiences love traveling magic-lantern shows, and so do the critics across the country. Click here to see their comments.

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