Nik’s primary research interests are focused on the theory, history, and practice of magic, including:
- Performance Magic
- Bizarre Magick
- The History of the Séance
- Interactive and Immersive Theatre
- Practice-as-Research
He is currently authoring a monograph that examines the cultural history of performance magic, further cementing his expertise in the field.
Selected Publications
The following publications represent key contributions to the academic study of magic and performance.
- Mashing up Magick: Bizarre Magick and the Fuzzy Gothic (2022)
- Type: Peer-Reviewed Book Chapter
- Abstract: Published in the collection Gothic Mash-Ups, this chapter investigates the intersection of Bizarre Magick and the emerging aesthetic of the “Fuzzy Gothic.” The text analyzes how contemporary performers appropriate and hybridize gothic tropes, storytelling, and historical narratives to create new forms of magickal entertainment that are at once unsettling and intellectually engaging.
- Citation: Taylor, N., 1 Mar 2022, Gothic Mash-Ups: Hybridity, Appropriation, and Intertextuality in Gothic Storytelling. Neill, N. (ed.). Lexington Books.
- Identity and Persona (2020)
- Type: Peer-Reviewed Book Chapter
- Abstract: A key chapter in the academic anthology The Magiculum II, this work delves into the complex process of constructing a performance persona in magic. Dr. Taylor examines the challenge of authenticity for a magician, arguing that the persona is neither a fictional character nor a simple representation of the self, but a carefully negotiated identity that exists in the space between the trick and the audience’s perception.
- Citation: Taylor, N., 16 Feb 2020, The Magiculum II. Landman, T. (ed.). Lulu Press Inc., p. 58-63.
- Cultures of Place: The Return of the Davenports (2022)
- Type: Non-Textual Performance / One-Act Play
- Description: This project, delivered as a live performance, re-stages the historical and cultural impact of the Davenport Brothers’ visit to Huddersfield. The work explores the ensuing riots and the complex interplay between spiritualism, skepticism, and public fascination, drawing connections to iconic figures like Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.
- Citation: Burrow, M., Carter, A. & Taylor, N., 24 Jun 2022. Research output: Non-textual form › Performance.
Academic Roles & Affiliations
Dr. Taylor holds several key positions that place him at the center of the academic magic community:
- Lead Editor, The Journal of Performance Magic: He helps guide the premier academic journal dedicated to the scholarly study of magic as a performance art.
- Director, Centre for Experimental Practices (CXP): He directs a university research center focused on supporting and promoting practice-as-research methodologies across the arts and humanities.
Selected Talks & Presentations
Dr. Taylor is a frequent speaker at academic conferences and public events, where he shares his research with a wide range of audiences.
- A Live On-Stage Interview with Reece Shearsmith (May 2023): An invited talk where Dr. Taylor conducted a feature-length interview with the celebrated actor and writer, exploring the deep connections between Shearsmith’s work (The League of Gentlemen, Inside No. 9) and themes of the modern gothic, the uncanny, and the art of misdirection.
- The Transformed Magician: How Magicians Made Magic Horrible Again (October 2024): An upcoming oral presentation showcasing his latest research into the aesthetics of horror and magic.
- Making Dark Magicks (May 2022): An invited talk focusing on the creative processes and theoretical underpinnings of contemporary “dark” magic performances.