Hello all! First I'd like to thank those in advance who have some good advice to offer. I have an asrah illusion that was manufactured by Bill Smith. I absolutely love it, and the f**m is one of the most realistic I have ever seen. The one downside to it is the limitations on where I can perform this wonderful illusion. I have booked many illusion shows where the venue does not support the requirements needed for this effect (i.e. high school gymnasiums). However if I were to obtain a collapsable f**m, this would not be an issue. Of course we would have to rework the routine and practice..practice..practice. So the question at hand is, "In your experience what would you suggest is the best collapsable version to buy, and who to buy it from?" Please keep in mind that I am just looking only for a form. Any statements supporting your choice would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you again!

Scott

Scott,

I have heard a lot of people suggest Jim Sommers' version of the collapsible form. I had one years ago and it always worked very smoothly.

Sincerely,
David

I want to understand how you are performing. Is this on the gym floor or on a stage at the end of the gym. Rigging is very light that is normally needed.

I would suggest that you look at a youtube video on Senior Rai doing the Asrah in the center ring.
It will knock your socks off.

Richard

Do you have a link to that video Richard?

Thanks

I would contact Tim CLothier (illusionprojects.com). He made a form for Charles Bach like I have never seen before. He is extremely talented and knows what he is doing. Just my 2 cents...

~Bryan

Thank you all very much for your help so far. Richard...I have seen the Senor Rai asrah video and I agree it is phenomonal. This would be for a performance off of a stage where rigging is not possible, like a gym floor. Thank you David, I wasn't sure if he sold them alone or you had to buy the whole prop too. I will look into that Bryan....thank you as well.

Star Magic here are the video links to senor rai's two youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23q1rsrPm1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=PueUKWV1E9Q&feature=related

You might be able to buy or have Rai make a unit up like his.

Richard

I will suggest you to use a classic version if you can and not the collapsible one ( but of course depen from where you want perform it),
but for shure the effect and the impact on the Audience is really different.


I have a classic original Ashra ( the same model as the Original from LeRoy),
like no many Ashra

during the levitation you can pass the hoop ( no many version can do it, this because many people today use a semplified version of it )

I know you can ask for this old version to many good builders " first in list C. Dickens" he have also one picture on his Site,
Fabrice.

Maybe you could use blow up doll. Its light

Just to clarify the original post, I do have the classic version. The form was made by Bill Smith. I was looking for a way to perform this when the venue doesn't accomodate the requirements needed to perform the classic asrah like rigging.

I would also do the work with Tim Clothier - He'd knock it out of the park for you . . .

"I do have the classic version" Are you sure????

Builders RARELY build the classic version of the form as mentioend above, unless you requested it as a "special". I have 4 or 5 forms and none are the "true" classic. Ends or back, that is the question.....LOL

But this is all aside from your original question.

Blair

Hi Blair ceck here:

http://www.dickensmagic.com/gallery.html
look that pic under :
Custom Asra Form

This is something close to the Original first Leroy version ,
I know today is more common find a semplified version ( rigging just from the top ),
but this is the first version,
Fabrice.

Fabrice,

That was what I was referring to (end or back), but did not want to give the link on an open forum to the photo.

B

You might want to check out Geoffery Durham's collapsable form. It's quite different in concept from the 'European' collapsable form.

Geoffery is the only person I've seen using it.

I know it was in lecture notes he put out but maybe you could email him and find ut if they are available or if he's re-published it in one of his books.

Hello Blair, I guess I'm not sure if it is the "classic" version. I was refering to how it was performed....i.e. non collapsable. I do know that under the sheet it is the best looking one I have ever seen.

Thanks for the tip Sealegs!

HELLO. I BOUGHT THE SERVAIS LEROY BOOK. THERE'S NOT EVEN A PICTURE OF THE FORM... HOW DISAPPOINTING IS THAT?!!! DO YOU KNOW WHERE A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ORIGINAL IS AVAILABLE? THURSTON'S ASRAH FROM ABBOTT'S MAYBE? THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER!

The patent is published in a few places, I will take a look and see what I can find.

Blair

From the first w_s_anderson post:

"In your experience what would you suggest is the best collapsable version to buy, and who to buy it from?"
ABSOLUTELY the Steinmayer's collapsible version .
Fabrice.

"Steinmayer's collapsible version" - Is it published anywhere??

Who is the builder with the rights to it?

P.S. I have heard that Owen will sell just the collapsing form, and that it is very good. Check a thread on the Gossamer Flight illusion.

Blair