Hey,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with ideas for escapes on stage. How can I build up the tension if there is no danger? I have an idea to get chained to a roadworks pole that I have, get covered and then escape. I anyone has any other ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

In my last escape I did for family friends, I gave them the keys once I was chained up. But at the end, when I had escaped, they thought that I had another set of keys and was just unlocking the padlocks. Is there any way of preventing this?

Thanks, James

Give them two sets of keys. Or use something that does not use keys e.g. ropes, strait-jacket, and escapes where you don't seem to have physical access to the lock. You can have a metal detector with which you are examined prior to the restraints being applied, do the escape naked or with briefs on, be 'examined by a doctor', use restraints bought in by other people. There are many methods escapologist have used in the past and still currently use.

Regards,

Kris Sheglova

Have the lock placed somewhere you can't get at it. In the small of your back perhaps. If you're not using a key, why not escape in front of them? Many people are more impressed if they get to watch you use your skills and they can't then accuse you of cheating. Unless of course you are cheating, in which case you do want to be covered.

Of course I say "cheating" to mean using a key or other gimmick. I use 'em too. I don't mean to be critical of that method.

~Spiff

You might want to add a little "perceived" danger as well as using borrowed locks, handcuffs, metal detectors...

Many of the best escapes, for a modern audience, are those which are fast and do not require cover. He was quite the showman but I am not so sure today's audience would sit in anticipation and wait 2 hours for Houdini to get out of some contraption. Some of his challenge escapes took that long. I suggest:

Kellar Rope Tie...visible and funny

Thumb Tie...related to above routine wise

Strait-jacket has plenty of action

Tied in 50 to 100 feet of rope can be done without cover

Handcuff escape can be done without covering anything but hands. You can, to some degree, get around the theory you have a key by letting them tape the key ways. Unless of course you need to use the key to escape.

Totem pole or slick post is visible and quite spectacular...old sideshow attention getter.

Some chain escapes can be done visibly as well.

quack