Third-generation magician Dennis Watkins recently announced his popular virtual offering, “The Magic Parlour at Home,” will continue its run through February 27th. What began as a temporary pivot in response to the pandemic has now run for more than six straight months. During that time, Watkins and his team have produced nearly 300 live virtual shows for ticketed audiences, corporate events and private gatherings all over the world.
The winter “Magic Parlour at Home” performance schedule includes special Valentine’s Day performances February 12-14. Perfect for date nights, these performances will feature new, Valentine’s-inspired magic including mindreading acts asking folks to recall their childhood crushes.
“My biggest goal for virtual programming was to create an experience that was as interactive and magical as my live performances,” said Watkins. “In reinventing how we deliver magic to audiences, we’ve learned to leverage the available technology to create a magical experience that goes way beyond what I originally imagined. Close-up cameras let me perform material that is just too small for most venues. And I’ve learned that reading minds over the internet is often more powerful than it is in person.
But, the biggest success of the virtual show is that we found a magical way to bring people together when togetherness is desperately needed. I think that’s the real reason we’ve been able to keep this show running and growing. And it’s why I think the show will run for a good while longer.”
Audiences can experience Watkins’ world-class mind reading and interactive magic directly in their homes with new winter performance dates. Designed for family and group viewing at home, the show is a joyful way for folks to gather and experience community while spending time physically apart.
Tickets are now on sale for $49 (select dates at $65) and can be purchased online at themagicparlourchicago.com. A maximum of 30 tickets will be sold for each performance. Each ticket admits one “household” or “group.” All performances will take place via Zoom and require a computer with a functioning camera and microphone to participate as well as a high-speed internet connection. After tickets are purchased, patrons will receive an email containing instructions and a link to access the performance.
“The Magic Parlour at Home” is recommended for adult audiences. Guests ages 10 and up are welcome to join, while guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For a fully immersive experience, guests are recommended to sport cocktail attire and bring their own deck of cards.
A complete list of winter performance dates is below.
- January 8 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 9 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 15 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 16 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 22 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 23 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 29 at 8 p.m. CST
- January 30 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 5 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 6 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 12 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 13 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 14 at 7:30 p.m. CST
- February 19 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 20 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 26 at 8 p.m. CST
- February 27 at 8 p.m. CST
For complete details and information on “The Magic Parlour at Home” and Watkins’ other virtual experiences including corporate and private events, please visit: themagicparlourchicago.com
About Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour
The Magic Parlour is an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading featuring the work of third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. Guests to this intimate, magic-packed evening gather at Potter's in the Palmer House lobby before Watkins personally escorts them to the performance space. Once inside, the audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with classic sleight of hand, unbelievable mind-reading and magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather.
Since opening at the Palmer House on New Year’s Eve of 2011, Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour has enjoyed phenomenal success and unimagined growth. With fewer than 50 seats available per show, The Magic Parlour has entertained over 45,000 guests in its decade-long run. Additionally, it has hosted more than 1,300 ticketed audiences and dozens of private groups, facilitated three truly magical wedding proposals, and has been featured in two books (Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle and 100 Things to do in Chicago Before You Die).