Fans of the SyFy fantasy series The Magicians currently have the opportunity to experience the magic and illusions of the show's universe in real life. Coinciding with the show's second-season premiere, the network is hosting the "Hall of Magic," a detailed, immersive experience offering guests magic-theme activities, special effects, and art installations all inspired by the show.
The experience, which kicked off January 20, features 10 rooms that focus on different themes or locations inspired by the series—which is based on a Lev Grossman novel of the same name, centering on the students of Brakebills University, a secret institution that specializes in all things magic. Taking place at the William Vale hotel's retail space, the "Hall of Magic" was produced by Brooklyn-based Mash Studio led by creative director Greg Privett, along with executive producer Eric Fleming and Vance Garrett Productions.
Alexandra Shapiro, executive vice president of marketing and digital for SyFy, says the experience was the network's way of bringing the world of the show to the masses. "With The Magicians, we are able to make the themes of fantasy and illusion come to life, providing a truly unique, interactive, and immersive storytelling experience," says Shapiro. "We wanted to provide both fans of the series and new viewers the opportunity to transport themselves into the world of the show, channeling their inner magician."
Activities in various rooms include levitation photo ops, walking through a magical forest with LED lollipops, and practicing magic through motion-tracking technology. The experience also is a sensorial one, as each environment offers different fragrances courtesy of Prolitec's AirQ technology.
"There are nods to the show throughout the 'Hall of Magic' that fans will love—the clock serving as a portal into the hall or peepholes into the land of Fillory," says Shapiro. "But there is something for everyone, whether you are a Magicians superfan, a magic lover, or just want to get an Instagram-worthy photo of yourself levitating. It's a world of fantasy."
The second season of The Magicians premiered Wednesday, and the "Hall of Magic" is open daily through Sunday.
![The Levitation room gave guests an Instagram-worthy photo op by inviting them to recreate a scene from the show by positioning themselves on an elevated platform against a red backdrop, which featured furniture and records staged to appear as if they're floating.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8904.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The lobby of the experience featured a number of show-related installations, including a portrait wall with images of characters and the show's title.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8986.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Three mirror box installations dubbed Infinity Boxes invited guests to poke their head inside to create the optical illusion of multiple heads. Artist Matt Elson created the kaleidoscope-like installations.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8980.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Before entering the hall, guests walked through a changing LED light tunnel dubbed the Passage.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8861.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![A grandfather clock and various clock decor—a nod to the series—served as a portal into the hall.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8868.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![One of the first rooms in the hall that guests entered was inspired by a magical library, created with three walls of books that had pages shake when guests walked by. The room also included suspended books designed to appear as if they were floating.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8871.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![A Potions room showcased a variety of apothecary-inspired decor. When open to the public, an actress will brew elixirs and interact with guests.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8883.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Magical decor in the Potions room included illuminated books.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8901.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The room also included shelves with jars of food—including chocolate—meant to resemble potion ingredients.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8902.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Another room had a forest environment designed to appear larger with mirrors. Decor included LED lollipops that changed color when triggered by motion.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8920.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The forest room also included a motion-triggered dinner table. As guests sat down, the plates and silverware began to levitate.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8922.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The Practice room allowed guests to trigger effects—such as turning on a fan or moving shelf items—with hand gestures. The room, which displayed a quote from the show on the floor, is controlled by Microsoft Kinect motion-tracking technology.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8932.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![A constellation-inspired room invited guests to lay down and see themselves reflected in a starry night sky.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8945.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![One of the final rooms in the hall was modeled after The Magicians classroom. An activity in the back of the room allowed two guests to compete in a game that involved wearing E.E.G. headsets to move a marble with their mind. As the marble moved, potion bottles changed colors.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8948.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The classroom space had a fake bookshelf that allowed guests to create music by running their hands across a xylophone of books.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8952.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The front of the classroom showcased a chalkboard inspired by the show.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8953.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![At the end of the hall, two miniature art installations invited guests to open two doors and peer into scenes inspired by the show. One installation depicts the Fillory, a magical land based on books in the show's universe.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8961.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The hall lead to the final room of the experience, which had a mural that featured the show's title and a bee, the mascot of the show's fictional Brakebills University.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8969.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The room also featured an installation created with old televisions that broadcast images from the show.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2017/01/dsc_8974.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)