I feel that audience participation is what makes a magic show different than traditional “4th wall” theater. When a performer steps out over the footlights and has the audience join him onstage, or has someone pick a card, the 4th wall is broken and the environment shifts from being theater to that of an initiatory ritual. Is that what makes a magic show into ritual theater? Almost ALL of close up magic is audience participation on some level. I know that most of my favorite stage routines are audience interactive.