Illusions
In the magic business a large-scale stage magic effect with apparatus is generally referred to as an illusion.
Most projects with young people cannot physically accommodate such work or support the cost and investment that must be put into making such illusions effective. It is counterproductive both educationally and in terms of the appreciation of magic to attempt complex illusions that will be poorly built and unconvincing. Such attempts run the risk of revealing a technique of magic to no good effect.
However, there are some illusions that are designed and built from very cheap materials in such a way that the very ordinariness of their appearance is an intentional part of their style. In particular, the illusions of Andrew Mayne are often constructed from cardboard boxes, paper bags, wire, photocopies, and clothing and are presented in a way that makes them almost impromptu.
Among these are a number that can work well with young people:
Facelifter
"Who needs thousands of dollars to perform incredible illusions? The magician asks his audience this question before he picks up a beat-up cardboard box. He places it upside-down over his head and then rips open a hole in the front so his face his visible. The magician then lifts the box a foot above his shoulders; stretching his neck in an impossible manner. Next he twists his head 360° and back. Finally he removes his head entirely and then puts it back."
This is a great stagecraft project for age 10-18 years. It involves making an illusion (each person makes their own) and then practicing the animation and acting to make it effective.
Voodoo Box
"The magician offers his audience a demonstration in the latest high-tech pseudoscientific technology: The Voodoo Box. Guaranteed to ward off bad luck and ill omens! His assistant steps inside and the box is closed shut. The magician unveils twenty-one umbrellas that have all been opened indoors. He proceeds to shove the umbrellas through all the sides of the box at various angles. All twenty-one umbrellas are shoved into the box, yet no screams are heard from within. The magician removes the umbrellas (and opens a few to show that they are real). The box is opened and his assistant steps out unharmed!"
Again a great stagecraft project for 10-18age if you can get hold of enough umbrellas! Sticks will do but umbrellas are much better in the way they add to the illusion. There is a good element of teamwork between the magician and the assistant in this illusion.
Bowling ball from bag
An illusion that is simple to do but hard to do convincingly. Great for acting skills and considering angles.
For younger age groups (7-10years) one of the best books for simple prop building is Magic for Kids by Fay Presto. It begins with an illusion called Anyone Home which involves building a house out of a large cardboard box. Very easy to do if the angles are ok.
Most projects with young people cannot physically accommodate such work or support the cost and investment that must be put into making such illusions effective. It is counterproductive both educationally and in terms of the appreciation of magic to attempt complex illusions that will be poorly built and unconvincing. Such attempts run the risk of revealing a technique of magic to no good effect.
However, there are some illusions that are designed and built from very cheap materials in such a way that the very ordinariness of their appearance is an intentional part of their style. In particular, the illusions of Andrew Mayne are often constructed from cardboard boxes, paper bags, wire, photocopies, and clothing and are presented in a way that makes them almost impromptu.
Among these are a number that can work well with young people:
Facelifter
"Who needs thousands of dollars to perform incredible illusions? The magician asks his audience this question before he picks up a beat-up cardboard box. He places it upside-down over his head and then rips open a hole in the front so his face his visible. The magician then lifts the box a foot above his shoulders; stretching his neck in an impossible manner. Next he twists his head 360° and back. Finally he removes his head entirely and then puts it back."
This is a great stagecraft project for age 10-18 years. It involves making an illusion (each person makes their own) and then practicing the animation and acting to make it effective.
Voodoo Box
"The magician offers his audience a demonstration in the latest high-tech pseudoscientific technology: The Voodoo Box. Guaranteed to ward off bad luck and ill omens! His assistant steps inside and the box is closed shut. The magician unveils twenty-one umbrellas that have all been opened indoors. He proceeds to shove the umbrellas through all the sides of the box at various angles. All twenty-one umbrellas are shoved into the box, yet no screams are heard from within. The magician removes the umbrellas (and opens a few to show that they are real). The box is opened and his assistant steps out unharmed!"
Again a great stagecraft project for 10-18age if you can get hold of enough umbrellas! Sticks will do but umbrellas are much better in the way they add to the illusion. There is a good element of teamwork between the magician and the assistant in this illusion.
Bowling ball from bag
An illusion that is simple to do but hard to do convincingly. Great for acting skills and considering angles.
For younger age groups (7-10years) one of the best books for simple prop building is Magic for Kids by Fay Presto. It begins with an illusion called Anyone Home which involves building a house out of a large cardboard box. Very easy to do if the angles are ok.
posted by stuart nolan at 4:56 PM
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