Well.. most other torture and execution methods have made their way into escapism and magic at one time or another. Now... Jonathan Pendragon unveiled a new illusion in his show at the SAM 100th Annual Salute to Magic which incorporated Water Boarding. READ MORE

Interesting. I could see a sort of "Yogic medium trance" methodology to put this topical idea to the magical test. Very nice thinking on Mr. Pendragon's part.

This routine sounds like it will justify that "out of breath" move that ends most of his routines!

@Ray, What out of breath move? Jonathan needs no justification to be out of breath...after recovering from the arrow piercing his heart accident, he of course should be out of breath... According to medical professionals he should be dead.

Anyway, the illusion went off flawlessly and much better than expected. Salute to Magic in New York was a perfect place to premier it.

Click here to view attached image.

Hey Char!

lol... I'm not talking about anything recent! BTW Congrats on the new effect, sounds very cool.

I'm talking about the traditional ending pose on most illusions where you pose together and he breathes heavy, even on the opening piece. It's been a trademark since I've known you. It's a good theatrical device and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just that the device has been synonymous with the ending pose of many of your illusions. It's a very subtle psychological principal that most wouldn't even be aware of how to use, but I KNOW with Jonathon's background in theater that he knows exactly what he's doing.

When you're doing a television spot on only performing metamorphosis, and you have that ending, there are two options (and again, I'm speaking of when you were both at your peak, whenever you deem that to be), 1 option is that performing something you've done most of your life and have honed to one of the most efficient miracles ever gets you both (who most would consider to be trained athletes) that winded in a very short amount of time... or #2, that with your background in theater and psychology have developed a hook or theatrical device that creates the sense of power and urgency in the audiences mind to elevate the intensity of the moment at the climax of the effect.

Knowing the degree of your athletic ability for years, and Jonathan's understanding of the nuance of performance technique. Most people that really understand theater chose the latter.

Recent years are a different story. lol... as we get older, we're ALL breathing a little heavier! I always say that I'm doing the same things I did when I was 30, it just hurts more now!

take care,

Ray

I was just wondering... Could someone please tell me what that attached image is?
Thank you.
Mike

Thank you Ray - Very good comments..and very perceptive. Mike, it is a pic of Jonathan being water boarded. Hoping to have the video soon!

Thank you for the explanation, Char. My thoughts ran the gamut there for a minute. I thought it might've been some kind of Rorshach test. =)

Here is the original story for those that missed it when originally posted. Given the amount of time that has passed, it has fallen off the main page:

http://www.linkingpage.com/magicnewsfeed......aib.html