Hey guys, I love the Metamorphosis illusion... but I was watching Criss Angel with a friend that day, and she described it as cliche. Come to think of it, the illusion's been so overdone, that she did make sense. So I was pondering about what she said and this idea came to mind. It's a mixture of comedy and seemingly more skill. Hopefully the presentation would affect the audience rather psychologically.

Imagine the usual Metamorphosis...I'd usually prefer the magician being locked in the box but in this case the magic would be diverted. Let's get on with the effect...

The beautiful assistant goes into the box and the box is chained up.

The magician stands on top of the box and raises the cloth as usual, and POW, the switch occurs.

But it's not the usual switch. The magician lowers the cloth to reveal that he is now wearing his assistant's clothes, calling for a great comedic moment.

He opens up the box, and the assistant comes out wearing what the magician was wearing moments before! This could follow with a few visual gags like the magician removing a bra from under his shirt and etc...

The beauty of this? You don't need the huge expensive props and all you need is to perform a Quickchange under cover of the cloth. The assistant can take her time while inside the box. The verdict: Less of the hassle, with possibly double the impact, plus it's refreshing!

If you're one who just has to do the two person transposition, fine! Do the clothes transposition, and follow with the actual transposition on the offbeat! IMO this'll play pretty darned well.

I'm not too sure if this idea has been thought of before, but it's something I'm definitely going to test out. Feedback and more ideas are welcome!

Huron.

Interesting idea, although a more "magical" idea might be to have the two performers actually switch places with the Assistant appearing on top wearing the Magician's clothes. The Magician is found inside the box and revealed to be wearing the Assistant's costume.

Advantages (IMHO): More actual "Magic" involved

The costume change need not be instantaneous...plenty of time while fiddling with the locks, lid, bag, etc. If you're FAST, you could take a page out of Mr. Moretti's book and have the Magi emerge wearing her makeup, too.

Adds an extra comic punch at the end. The Metamorphosis has always seemed a bit anti-climactic to me. "If she's on top then HE must be in the box." It takes too long to get the box open, only to reveal that they'd guessed right.

In this way, the humor adds to the ending...and even builds on it's own. I mean, an Assistant in a Magician's suit is funny, but the Magician in drag is even more so. Come to think of it, that's probably why more people laughed at the sight of Gene Hackman in "The Birdcage" than the sight of Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall."

Dan Wolfe, aka. "The Amazing EARL"

This isn't original. It is currently being used by Paul Nardini, known as 'The Great Nardini'. You can contact Paul on his site: http://www.PaulNardini.co.uk if you need to talk with him.

I seen this before. This was years ago.

Emmett

I believe the routine of changing places and costumes is also being done by Tim Ellis and Sue Ellen Webster in Australia

Here goes another paul nardini site the link didn't work for me. but I found this one. Don,http://www.paulnardini.fsbusiness.co.uk/Home.htm

Thanks for the replies! I just haven't seen this applied before.

Yep, Tim Ellis and Sue Ann Webster, do this version as does Paul Nardini.
If you ever get the chance to see Paul Nardini's comedy act you MUST! I couldn't stop laughing all the way through and their metamorphosis is fantastic!
in Magic
Steve Dela

Not sure if it was Paul Nardini or not, but in the issue of MAGIC all about this years FISM, I think I remember reading that someone performed that effect. Metamorphosis, except with their clothing change instead of switching places. I've heard it is very funny to see.

Hey, great minds think alike ,

Evan

Yep that will have been them, as far as I can remember though they do swap places aswell. they won the Comedy Award at FISM (and my god it realy is funny!)
I have just remember that Feilding West also does this changing clothes thing before the Metamorphosis!
in Magic
Steve Dela

Metamorphosis is so well known that the switch is not a big surprise to many members of the audience. I prefer the Assistant's Revenge since it is not that well known and the illusion is just as baffling or more so. I built my own from sketches in a biographical book on Harbin and ideas from the Osborne plans. The most expensive part was the curtain and curved curtain tracks that I ordered over the internet.

I like Brett Daniels version with the fans.

Does anyone knows who made the trick?

Thanks

I also believe Fielding West has been doing a version just like this for many years.

Fitz

Yes Fielding West Does it. but I heard his is more of a ADULT Version. Don,

I think you'll find Fielding West was the first to do the costume change, his is hilarious.

I have just done that at our local cabaret.
I ended up in a bra and panties. My show is so un PC I ended by pulling a rubber chicken from my pant fly and saying "I am glad I still got my cock"

Anyone?