Has anyone ever built one of these? It's designed as a kid's show illusion using balloon as swords and the torso vanishes. I was wondering if anyone has any feedback on this in front of an audience. Seems like it suffers from not being able to show the torso visible ever inside the box.

I've never built or used one but have seen it. I think it can work well in a kid's audience, it all depends on the presentation. As to whether you can see the torso inside the box, this depends on how it's constructed, whether the gimmicks can fold out of the way to the sides.

Thanks MagicMatthews, how was the audience reaction to it?

There was one that was commercially available, not sure if anyone still makes it.

I believe Murray Hatfield had one in his show, seem to remember a photo on his site. (But he changes his photos often)

B

Is this what you are talking about??? http://www.tilfordillusions.com/balloonSword.html

Yes Illusionist11, that's the one.

I'm sure you could make it so you can see the torso...and in my opinion, the chest of NEFERTARI gets greater reactions.

I cannot tell you the audience reaction, because I never saw it in front of a live audience, but for best effect, I think it depends on your style and your audience. I think for a kid audience and a comic style, the balloon box gets my vote. Now you've got me tempted to build one.

Also, the one I saw was different to the Tillford one. It did not use blackart.