Mitch Leary
2004-06-24 22:45:42 UTC
If you like the illusions presented in Darwin's INEXPENSIVE ILLUSIONS
book, you'll love Andrew Mayne's latest illusion titled SPECTER
CABINET.
The SPECTER CABINET is a poor man's version of Copperfield's
motorcycle appearance from the Shadow Box he does at the beginning of
his shows. You can build this one for around $60. Let me describe
the trick with Mayne's manuscript in front of me, followed by some
comments.
The effect is this: In the middle of a stage (or your living room or
back yard) rests a 6 foot opened framed PVC structure/cabinet. It is
opened on all four sides (skeleton frame). A bright light shines
behind it. An assistant comes out and drops down all four cloth sides
(sheets will work). the light can clearly be seen through the front
of the cabinet. Now, the best part of the illusion: a hand is seen to
be coming in from the side of the cabinet...then a head...then the
body. As with the Copperfield illusion, it looks exactly like the
figure is coming into the box from nowhere. The front cloth is
dropped and the magician makes his appearance.
The shadow work is worth the price of the manuscript. If you've seen
DC do this you know how magical this effect in itself really looks--he
seems to melt in through the side of the cabinet from...WHERE???
That's magic! In the SPECTER CABINET it's all done with a mechanic's
light on an extension cord.
The way the performer is hidden in the box is very cool indeed,
you'll love it. This is an updated version of the Shadow Box, an
illusion I haven't seen performed in 30 years. I hope Andrew can
perhaps revive other illusions seldom seen anymore. Maybe take on the
Vampire Illusion or the Sphinx Table.
I here too many magician's say Andrew Mayne's magic is junk. I
strongly disagree. If you can get the same response from a $50
version of a $50,000 trick, I say go for it. I'll never forget how
pissed off Copperfield was when he got a better response from Misled
than he did with his Flying illusion. $17.50 vs. a million dollar
trick. Lol, that's gotta hurt.
-Leary-
book, you'll love Andrew Mayne's latest illusion titled SPECTER
CABINET.
The SPECTER CABINET is a poor man's version of Copperfield's
motorcycle appearance from the Shadow Box he does at the beginning of
his shows. You can build this one for around $60. Let me describe
the trick with Mayne's manuscript in front of me, followed by some
comments.
The effect is this: In the middle of a stage (or your living room or
back yard) rests a 6 foot opened framed PVC structure/cabinet. It is
opened on all four sides (skeleton frame). A bright light shines
behind it. An assistant comes out and drops down all four cloth sides
(sheets will work). the light can clearly be seen through the front
of the cabinet. Now, the best part of the illusion: a hand is seen to
be coming in from the side of the cabinet...then a head...then the
body. As with the Copperfield illusion, it looks exactly like the
figure is coming into the box from nowhere. The front cloth is
dropped and the magician makes his appearance.
The shadow work is worth the price of the manuscript. If you've seen
DC do this you know how magical this effect in itself really looks--he
seems to melt in through the side of the cabinet from...WHERE???
That's magic! In the SPECTER CABINET it's all done with a mechanic's
light on an extension cord.
The way the performer is hidden in the box is very cool indeed,
you'll love it. This is an updated version of the Shadow Box, an
illusion I haven't seen performed in 30 years. I hope Andrew can
perhaps revive other illusions seldom seen anymore. Maybe take on the
Vampire Illusion or the Sphinx Table.
I here too many magician's say Andrew Mayne's magic is junk. I
strongly disagree. If you can get the same response from a $50
version of a $50,000 trick, I say go for it. I'll never forget how
pissed off Copperfield was when he got a better response from Misled
than he did with his Flying illusion. $17.50 vs. a million dollar
trick. Lol, that's gotta hurt.
-Leary-