| Theater of Illusion | |
| Type: | Studio album |
| Artist: | Nox Arcana |
| Cover: | Theater of Illusion.jpg |
| Released: | July 15, 2010 |
| Genre: | Gothic, Dark cabaret, Dark ambient, Neoclassical dark wave, New-age |
| Label: | Monolith Graphics |
| Prev Title: | Winter's Eve |
| Prev Year: | 2009 |
| Next Title: | House of Nightmares |
| Next Year: | 2010 |
Theater of Illusion is the fourteenth album by musical duo Nox Arcana's. Its theme is that of an old theater haunted by a masked magician. The album is a popular source of music for professional illusionists.[1]
The world-famous and mysterious masked magician named Doctor Arcana captured global attention with his astounding illusions and spectacular, death-defying escapes. However, at the peak of his career, the magician vanished without a trace under mysterious circumstances. Several rumors began circulating, concerning his whereabouts and fate, but the truth remains a mystery to the present day.
A Gothic mansion at a secluded country estate once served as Doctor Arcana's home, thus christening it as Arcana Manor. Since the magician's disappearance, there have been reports of strange sounds and shadows from within the sprawling mansion, but no living soul has been able to gain entry to investigate the matter, and Arcana Manor has stood abandoned and undisturbed for more than two decades. Unknown to many, a hidden theater lies within the dark manor. This venue, hidden from the outside world, is where master magicians gather to display their talents every Halloween night.
In 2018, Joseph Vargo released a video game based on the album's theme and story, entitled The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana. The challenge is to resolve a maze of riddles and perplexing puzzles in order to avoid spending eternity locked inside the inescapable mansion.[2]
A sequel, entitled Doctor Arcana and The Secret of Shadowspire, will be released in Fall 2023.