I like “[insert magic-user class] is a stage magician,” whatever that means in the particular setting. IMO it works best when “stage magician” is well-defined and distinct from authentic magic (again, consistent with setting, like “Vegas entertainer” in the late 20th century, “spiritual medium” for early 20th, “medicine show [salesperson]” for the 19th, “alchemist with patrons” for Medieval to early enlightenment, and so on, though inauthenticity or bad reputation are usually an important part of the fun for me). It can drive some excellent dramatic irony.