Hey guys,

I am wondering if I can do the voodoo box by Andrew Mayne using only me (in the box) and an audience member who would insert the umbrellas. I am not planning to use an assistant for schedule reasons.

Any ideas?

Evan

It could be possible if the audience member were a stooge.

Not really possible. There needs to be a certain order they go in so you don't get jabbed. Too many uncontrollable factors where you could get hurt. Think about it. Would you let a complete stranger shove pointy thing into a box you were squished in? There isn't a lot of room. What's going to stop them from pushing the thing into your flesh. The is what is "supposed" to be happening.

Not a good idea!

However, if you had a family member or close friend that could rehearse the trick and practice with you before hand and become familiar with the routine, you could then plant them in the audience as Lou Hilario said.

This would give the appearance that you didn't have an assistant.

Other than that, I don't see any other way.

I really wouldn't recommend that. I have faith in my fellow man - but not that much!

It seems to me that it would be easier to train someone to be inside the box.

I recently received plans from Andrew, and can't wait to perform this illusion. That said, even though you'll be using umbrellas, the ends tend to be pretty sharp--you could poke your eye out!

Seriously, thanks Andrew for the idea and plans for a great illusion!

Just the thought of being poked by an eager audience member makes me eerie

There's also the possibility that the audience member you invite onto the stage could choose to steal the limelight and leave you in the box, encased with umbrellas. May sound ridiculous but it'd be something I'd be conscious of.

Mark

I do Voodoo box with my daughter in the box with great audience reaction (please, no one call child protective services just yet, she's fine once I remove all the umbrellas).

There COULD be a way to do this with just yourself that I can think of, but I'm not sure how entertaining it would be AND you could potentially lose control of your audience if you are not careful. I have not tried this myself. I offer this as a suggestion...so do at your own risk. However, never allow an audience member to insert the umbrellas unless they are a trained stooge. The possibility for injury of you and the possiblity that Mark mentions above is very real.

OK, enough with the legal ease.

What if you set up all the umbrella points into the holes of the box before you step into the box. So they appear to be leaning on the box from the outside but the points are about 3 inches inside each hole. Then climb into the box, close the lid and the audience sees the umbrellas one at a time "magically" go horizontal and pierced into the box (as you are pulling them quickly from the inside). After all of them are inserted, they are popped back out and you are revealed and healed.

You could prepair your audience with story of your invisible assistant that helps you with illusions.

Just some thoughts...

I had another thought that may bring this to the next level, but I'm not sure if it would work. What if you tied some black string to the points of each umbrella that was laying on the stage and thread the string through the holes of the box. Then the umbrellas may seem to jump from the stage and start stabbing the box. It would not be too tough for people to know that you are pulling on strings, but it may look kind of cool.

Great idea,,, I think the aud. would love this... Just pre-arrange/talk to a person before the show.... Also you could come up with some type of joke... Point real fast and talk real fast telling them where and what order to put the swords/object in.... Then ask them to repeat it... (make it where they can't.... tell them again real fast....

Then pull out numbers and number the holes and tell them to follow the order....

just a thought....