Sometimes I like to challenge myself (or, in fact, I am challenged by someone) with a particular problem. How can I make the performer appear in a close-up theater? This sounds easy, but it is not. I have found some interesting solutions, which I will explain eventually over the time. Here is the first one.
The main technical problem is we are not talking about a big stage here. The other thing is we can’t use too many assistants. So how could we make a person appear within close quarters in a more or less natural and unsuspicious manner? We are forced to use what I call ’soft illusions‘ (smaller illusions that work without big technical needs). I always ask myself how the genius Jim Steinmeyer would solve stuff like this. Imagine a a typical setting like this:
The performer is to appear in the space behind his table (in or near the area with the blue circle). But he can’t be underneath the table, this would be too obvious. And we don’t want all the flash pots and smoke that will kill the audience in an intimate theater setting …
The setting would be that the spectators enter the little theater and take their seats. Then, the performer would appear and start his close-up show.
One of the better illusions that could make this possible is described in Andrew Mayne’s great book, „Illusion Book“ (2004). He called it ‚Blinker‘ and it is perfect for this purpose. I added a few thoughts and a presentational idea to the concept. Take a look at the (badly scanned from me) picture to get the rough details of the concept:
There are two traffic barricades standing way back behind the close-up table. The back wall of the theatre should be black. One of the stands is prepared by having a black art panel at the back, behind which the performer hides.
The barricades are standing in front of the back wall, with their lights flashing. This means the black art principle can be utilized instead of the mirror. There are some clear plastic sheets (as used by painters), which cover the barricades. Of course, the barricades should be designed and decorated to fit into a theatre under construction. They look like something left behind by the stage hands, who don’t seem to have had enough time to clear the workspace for the show. A perfect setting for a modern close-up theatre.
A little subtlety would be to construct the barricade in the way of Darwin’s ‚Black Art Table‘ with the rollers. That way, after the appearance the black art cover would vanish and the stagehand could walk behind the stands, his legs being seen. Proof that nothing was behind those barricades.
Here is a nice touch on the presentation: a theater stage hand or construction builder (dressed in dungarees) enters and greets the audience, apologizing for the theatre not being ready. He suggests starting the show anyway and begins clearing the unfinished stage. He takes a big sheet that is lying around. This is quickly spread and behind it stands the master magician, walking towards the table and ready to start his close-up miracles.
The stage helper silently takes the cloth and pushes the stands quietly to the side and exits.
There you have it: a strong yet easy-to-do appearance, which isn’t too expensive and has a natural and logical presentation for a close-up theater. Before it dawns on the audience that all is set-up and part of the play, the magician has mysteriously appeared!
Get Andrews book and read the detailed workings of this beautiful illusion: https://www.magicshop.co.uk/illusion-book-by-andrew-mayne-book
P.S.: I have a slightly different version, using a ladder standing around. Same setting, same presentation, but a slightly different technique. I may describe this in a later article in the blog.
