All right, I'm thinking about getting into illusions and I have a few questions for you experienced guys out there. I have always done a dove act and smaller stuff, but I have been wanting to get into the bigger things lately.

I was thinking about getting a Dekolta Chair and or a Stage Vanish Cape. I know I need bases with these things, but I am stuck with what kind of base I should get and where I should get it. Any thoughts or ideas?

Dear Dovemagic9,

You might be better to look at illusions that are more versatile and easier to play anywhere. The DeKolta Chair is an incredible illusion but the magic is done in seconds and you must be in somewhat of a proper theatre to make it work. You need extra helpers to take the prop offstage after the effect is done and you need curtains, wings or backstage to enable your assistant to get out from her hiding space away from the audience's view.

You might be better to look at illusions that are able to be performed in every situation, indoors, outdoors, and with people sitting all around. Some illusions that might work are Sub Trunk, Zig Zag (still a tremendously powerful illusion), Sword Box, Mini Cube Zag and possibly Assistants Revenge.

This may seem a little too "clasic" for your liking but I learned a long time ago that props become classics for a reason...

Murray

I totally agree with Murray. It is best to purchase illusions that are versatile and that you can incorporate slowly. The illusions that he mentioned are classics for a reason - they continue to entertain audiences under almost any circumstances!
When buying illusions, I will pass on advice that George Goebel of Baltimore gave me years ago:
Buy quality instead of quantity.
Pay extra for large, quality casters that will roll on any stage surface.
Protect your illusions with ATA cases. Illusions are usually damaged in transit, not in performance.
Before you make any purchases, check with those who know.
Hope this helps.
Lou

Lou and Murray, thanks very much for the advice. I will continue to look around and see what I can find that might be a little more versatile. You are right; the more I thought about it, the more I realized how difficult it would be to make the dekolta chair work in most places. I will check out some of the the more "classic" illusions.

Allen

If you were looking into building illusions in the future, I would recommend Paul Osborne's Illusion Systems books (I have #1, and 4) they are great.. Or Rand Woodbury's videos and books!!

Good price, good quality

Check out some books like:
Illusion Show-Know How By Ken Griffin
Device and Illusion by Jim Steinmeyer
Illusion Building by Dick Gustafson
These can help give you an idea of the practical side and the performance side of choosing the right illusion for you to start with.

Scott