I was thinking the other day and thought this would amke for an interesting topic, what kind of approach to an illusion show hasnt been attempted yet. For example you have Franz Harrary with his whole futuristic theme, Criss Angel with gothic type illusions, David Copperfield with a lot of story based illusions, Greg Frewin with a lot colourful magic, Seigfreid and Roy with there unique approach with lions and tigers etc.

so my question is, what theme(s)/ style(s) do you think havent been attempted yet, or that you would like to see attempted in illusion shows.

For example I think it would be cool if there was an illusionist who made his show in a circus kind of theme (if one is not already doing so) and using acrobats and clowns as assistants etc, and doing magic with things that you would find in a circus eg, girl to lion, vanishing girl on trapeze etc.

Harry Blackstone Jr. Had a circus theme to part of his act, and Mark Wilson had his successful "Magic Circus" series on TV.

Sylvester the Jester does routines around a Cartoon theme.

Lets see.. one could do a pirate theme. I saw a theme around the Phantom of the Opera a while back. With a pirate theme you could do things with pirate swords or production type items for the stollaway on his ship, etc. One is only limited by your imagination.

A Historical Military theme might be interesting:

Match the effect to the era and use military props accordingly,

Cups n Balls standing at a Roman Table and using wooden drinking cups,

Guillotine using Napolean era French Uniforms

WWI soldiers doing an escape while in a gas chamber wearing period gas masks

WWII...

You magical historians could do a better job of deciding what effect went with which era better, but you got the idea

Do you really consider Sylvester an Illusion Act .. I think not.

Steve

"Lets see.. one could do a pirate theme"
It isint an illusion act but my friend mike does a pirate theamed show/

John Bundy does a pirate theme show I believe.

The "ShaZzam!" show had several themed segments; Kithchen, Space, Jewels, Inca,Toyland - each segment with specific illusions, many unique and original as created by John Daniel (Former owner of Owen magic, and a very well known West Coast illusionist)

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"

Yes Blair, we do a Pirate theme illusion show.
We have done (still do) circus, superheros, Magic time machine, Christmas, Ragtime, wizard, medieval, and cartoon to name a few.
"Spooktacular" is our flagship Halloween show but we house over 7 different shows just themed for the Halloween season.

Ms.M

Ah .. Mistress Morgen .. do you have a Polka themed act?? Then you would really have something.

Steve

I always thought a 50's themed diner would have a lot of possibilities for a "themed show"...

-A juke box illusion (Kube-Zag, Thing That Go Bump, etc.)
-Tim Ellis's "Runaround Sue" Cups and Balls routine
-Costume changes
-do a levitation off the soda fountian (or the "bar" area)... use a hoola-hoop for the passing a ring over the girl, etc.

Just a few ideas!

-Bryan

Steve,
Why, do you need one?
Hummm.............let's see:
The Barricaded Barrels done to the "Beer Barrel Polka" ending, of course, with tapping one of the barrels and filling a stein. The beer leads us to Beer Thru a Lady....and.....I got nothing LOL
Sure you don't want a Beer theme show?

Ms.M

Hey Bryan,

One of the larger magic shows in Vegas (?) sold off a complete 50's segment.

It was listed (with photos) in an old issue of Magic (or perhaps Genii).

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"

There is always the water filled sub trunk, except that it would be beer. The problem would be that whoever went in the trunk might not want to come out.

The water levitation using beer instead would have issues because the audience would come up for a drink and see the workings of it. Also, you would end up with a drunk assistant.

On a more polka theme, do a compressed illusion that looks like an accordian.

Bryan.. The closet I know to a "50s" themed Show.... Is James Dammares Show. His style is very 50's Smooth Frank Sinatra thing.

The show I was referring to above had a full soda fountain counter set for sale, and a 50's booth with a magic Jukebox also.

Blair Marshall
"Shazzam!"

Two words -- Home Improvement.

OK, chmara, I can just see it:

Assistant is in the sawing box. It is made of unpainted wood. A regular hand saw is presented, the magician shakes his head. He askes the audience, "What does this illusion need?" The audience yells out "MORE POWER!!" He drops the saw and pulls out a chain saw, starting it up. The assistant screams. Sawdust flies as he cuts through the box and the assitant. The halves are divided withouth blades being put to cover the ends, but they are angled away from the audience. The magician takes a nail gun and "taks" particle board over the severed ends. Since there are no openings on the sides of the box for her arms to see her legs, he takes out a small saber saw and cuts holes in the sides. The boxes are tipped up to the cut ends are on the tables with the head and feet in the air. Then he steps back, admires his work, and wheels the halves off-stage.

Home Improvement?

Perhaps Harbin's Little By Little as kitchen cabinets, stack of (cardboard) boxes production of homemaker, Stove production, dancing broom.

Cool!

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"

How about "THE EGG" escape from Rudy Colby's second special?