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Meet the Illusionists and their meatspace

Welcome to "meatspace", the place where magic happens in the here and now.

As opposed to cyberspace, meatspace is the real world where human dexterity and deception dazzles audiences free of CGI and other digital trickery, according to trickster David Williamson.

He is a member of The Illusionists, a touring supergroup of seven of the world's best magicians performing with jazzy lighting, a live band and see-it-from-anywhere video screens.

"That is always the magic of theatre for kids whose ideas of magic have always been on the screen," Williamson said.

"When they see someone live vanish in 'meatspace', as we say, it is a revelation to them."

Williamson is known for his card sharking and magic comedy and has worked with David Blaine and David Copperfield.

"I always have a deck of cards with me and I'll do tricks at the drop of the hat, although we try to stay away from top hats and rabbits in this show. That's the old paradigm."

Magicians' methods had been unchanged over the centuries but the showbiz presentation had been ramped up for 21st century audiences, he said.

"The basic principals of deception are locked in stone."

Williamson said he was sorry to hear of the death of magician Scott Lewis, who died in Sydney while travelling with another associated troupe, The Illusionists 2.0.

The Illusionists is at the Crown Theatre until January 26.