I have access to a number of lab coats. Am thinking about using one as part of a mad scientist type of character. This would tend to lend itself to all sorts of pseudo-technical bable/patter about chemical reactions, moleculular recombination, teleportation, etc... Also they have a number of large pockets.

Has anyone tried anything like this and care to share?

I think someone did use a lab coat at a Houdini convention in 2003. But I'm not sure how or what they did. I think they were in a close up contest.

Lucy (who really is a doctor like Billy McComb) does an original "Doctor von Krapp" routine in a white lab coat. The photo I will try to attach is her with volunteer and outstanding closeup magician (twice published recently in Linking Ring for his One Man Parades) Michael Baker. Michael can also be reached on The Magic Café.

In her routine, first he is "wired up" to the latest medical diagnoistic equipment but finds out that his insurance does't allow accurate medical tests. So she takes his blood which turns out to be blue! When the blood is tested, the blood sugar is so high it just boils out of the test tube and his lipids are so greasy that the blood turns to fat. Therefore, she lifts the cover off the "state-of-the-art" electronic equipment to reveal a large chrystal ball. It is what his insurance will allow. He is allowed to select a playing card to tell his medical future. Oops! It was the ace of spades, the death card! So much for Black & Blue Cross.

It is a funny routine with a lot of by-play.

Lab coats are great props and costumes.

Enjoy!

Bob
Magic By Sander

Click here to view attached image.

Rudy Coby is Labman, check out his work. Kevin James does a few effects in a lab setting.

I believe Kohl & Company might wear labcoats sometimes.

Regan

I wear one in my Science of Magic act and it works quite well

I noticed that John Calvert wore one for his "Mad Doctor" horror routine. It really helps set the stage.

Bob
Magic By Sander

Kohl and Co., Professor Putter, the list goes on and on.
A lab coat will work quite well.