Metamorphosis (illusion): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Stage illusion}} |
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{{for|other works by this name|Metamorphosis (disambiguation)}} |
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'''Metamorphosis''' is the name of a [[magic (illusion)|stage illusion]] invented by [[John Nevil Maskelyne |
'''Metamorphosis''' is the name of a [[magic (illusion)|stage illusion]] invented by [[John Nevil Maskelyne]] but most often associated with famous escape artist [[Harry Houdini]] and performed to some renown (for speed) by [[Pendragons|The Pendragons]], among others.<ref> |
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|title = The Pendragons official website |
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In the illusion, an assistant (Houdini employed his wife Bess) is locked inside a large box or trunk, often after being restrained with handcuffs, ropes, bags, etc. The magician stands |
In the illusion, an assistant (Houdini employed his wife Bess) is locked inside a large box or trunk, often after being restrained with handcuffs, ropes, bags, etc. The magician stands the trunk and holds a curtain up to momentarily conceal his entire body. When the curtain is lowered, it is revealed to be the assistant standing atop the box, the magician and assistant having changed places instantaneously. When the box is opened, it is shown to contain the magician, restrained as the assistant had been. In some acts, the magician is locked in the box first, then appears standing atop the box. |
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Variations include the Aquarian Illusion created in the 1970s by Alan Wakeling for [[Mark Wilson (magician)|Mark Wilson]], who performed it in ''The Magic Circus'' series and a [[HBO]] special ''Mumbo Jumbo! It's Magic'', and in closing his Las Vegas shows.<ref>[http://www.markwilsonmagic.com/MagicCircusVol1.htm Mark Wilson Magic - Magic Circus with Guest Magicians Dai Vernon and Shimada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114174601/http://www.markwilsonmagic.com/MagicCircusVol1.htm |date=2012-11-14 }}</ref> In this version an acrylic tank filled with water is used and a beautiful [[swimsuit|swimsuit-clad]] woman assistant is locked inside underwater. [[Penn & Teller|Penn and Teller]] performed the illusion in an underwater theatre with a female assistant (a [[Weeki Wachee Springs|Weeki Wachee]] "mermaid") handcuffed and locked in a steel cage on the sea bottom. These variations add a significant element of peril. During the performance the assistant is trapped underwater with no source of air, and if something were to go wrong she would possibly drown. |
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The Metamorphosis uses a device known as the substitution trunk, which has a secret panel that allows its occupant to sneak out. Having extricated himself from the sack in which he was tied, Houdini would climb out of the hidden door and crouch behind a curtain lifted by his wife. The two would quickly change places, Houdini appearing behind the curtain as Bess disappeared into the box. Bess would then emerge from the box and sack wearing a different costume. |
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"Suspended Animation". Called the modern day metamorphosis, is where a trunk is suspended high on a platform above the stage thus creating an aerial exchange. It has been hailed as the best version of metamorphosis of all time and many critics and top illusionists around the world call it the greatest stage illusion on the market! This evolution of the illusion was invented by Australian Illusionist John Taylor.<ref>{{cite web |
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|title = John Taylor's Suspended Animation Official Website |
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|accessdate = 2011-04-19}}</ref> Besides the unique aerial exchange what makes Suspended Animation so unexpected and unique is John Taylor's original exchange cloth technique used in the illusion. Many of today's leading Illusionists around the world buy the rights off John Taylor to be able to perform his original invention Suspended Animation. |
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Illusionist [[Criss Angel]] assisted by [[Klayton]] and his other assistants has also performed the Metamorphosis trick as part of his "Amystika" show. In Angel's version, he was handcuffed, and put into the box with assistant standing on top of it. After the flashes and torches lit the stage, they swapped places. |
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[[Image:FarlaSwitch.JPG|thumb|right|Modern version of Metamorphosis called Suspended Animation performed by grand illusionist Christian Farla]] |
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In a variation on this method which is slightly more easily performed, the sack is in fact an open tube of [[Burlap|hessian]] attached at one end around a hole in the back panel of the trunk. The magician steps into the tube (which appears to be a normal sack sitting inside the open trunk), and the sack is chained or otherwise sealed. By this point, the magician has slid out the tube and is hiding behind the rear of the trunk. The trick proceeds as normal from this point, with the assistant entering the trunk via the back rather than the hidden hatch. |
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Variations include the [[Aquarian Illusion]] performed by [[Mark Wilson (magician)|Mark Wilson]], wherein a tank filled with water is used and a beautiful [[swimsuit|swimsuit-clad]] woman assistant is locked inside underwater, and [[Penn & Teller|Penn and Teller]] performing the illusion in an underwater theater with the female assistant handcuffed & locked in a steel cage on the bottom. These variations add an element of peril. If something were to go wrong, the assistant (or magician) could possibly drown. |
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| ⚫ | A method for Metamorphosis was exposed by the [[Masked Magician]], [[Val Valentino]], as part of [[Fox]] TV series ''[[Breaking the Magicians' Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed]]''. He was assisted by Michelle Berube. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* Video, ''[ |
* Video, ''[://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Metamorphosis illusion performed by the Pendragons]''. |
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* Video, ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX9VYevp3Ek Aquarian Illusion performed by Mark Wilson]''. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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[[Es:Metamorfosis_(magia)]] |
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{{Magic and Illusion}} |
{{Magic and Illusion}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Metamorphosis (Illusion)}} |
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[[Category:Escapology]] |
[[Category:Escapology]] |
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[[Category:Magic tricks]] |
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Latest revision as of 20:28, 17 November 2024
Metamorphosis is the name of a stage illusion invented by John Nevil Maskelyne, but most often associated with famous escape artist Harry Houdini and performed to some renown (for speed) by The Pendragons, among others.[1] It is also known amongst magicians as the Substitution Trunk (often abbreviated to Sub Trunk).
In the illusion, an assistant (Houdini employed his wife Bess) is locked inside a large box or trunk, often after being restrained with handcuffs, ropes, bags, etc. The magician stands on the trunk and holds a curtain up to momentarily conceal his entire body. When the curtain is lowered, it is now revealed to be the assistant standing atop the box, the magician and assistant having changed places instantaneously. When the box is opened, it is shown to contain the magician, restrained as the assistant had been. In some acts, the magician is locked in the box first, then appears standing atop the box.
Variations include the Aquarian Illusion created in the 1970s by Alan Wakeling for Mark Wilson, who performed it in The Magic Circus series and a HBO special Mumbo Jumbo! It's Magic, and in closing his Las Vegas shows.[2] In this version an acrylic tank filled with water is used and a beautiful swimsuit-clad woman assistant is locked inside underwater. Penn and Teller performed the illusion in an underwater theatre with a female assistant (a Weeki Wachee "mermaid") handcuffed and locked in a steel cage on the sea bottom. These variations add a significant element of peril. During the performance the assistant is trapped underwater with no source of air, and if something were to go wrong she would possibly drown.
"Suspended Animation". Called the modern day metamorphosis, is where a trunk is suspended high on a platform above the stage thus creating an aerial exchange. It has been hailed as the best version of metamorphosis of all time and many critics and top illusionists around the world call it the greatest stage illusion on the market! This evolution of the illusion was invented by Australian Illusionist John Taylor.[3] Besides the unique aerial exchange what makes Suspended Animation so unexpected and unique is John Taylor's original exchange cloth technique used in the illusion. Many of today's leading Illusionists around the world buy the rights off John Taylor to be able to perform his original invention Suspended Animation.
Illusionist Criss Angel assisted by Klayton and his other assistants has also performed the Metamorphosis trick as part of his "Amystika" show. In Angel's version, he was handcuffed, and put into the box with assistant standing on top of it. After the flashes and torches lit the stage, they swapped places.
A method for Metamorphosis was exposed by the Masked Magician, Val Valentino, as part of Fox TV series Breaking the Magicians' Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed. He was assisted by Michelle Berube.
External links
[edit]- Video, Metamorphosis illusion performed by the Pendragons.
- Video, Aquarian Illusion performed by Mark Wilson.
References
[edit]- ^ In the UK Safire Illusionists are very well known for performing a very fast variation of this illusion using a glass Substitution Trunk. [1]
- ^ Mark Wilson Magic - Magic Circus with Guest Magicians Dai Vernon and Shimada Archived 2012-11-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "John Taylor's Suspended Animation Official Website". Retrieved 2011-04-19.
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