Mark Wilson told me this story himself at a convention in Houston about 20 years ago.

Mark has an illusion called "Aquarius," which is basically the Metamorphosis done with a large aquarium with chains around it. He was doing this in Las Vegas. When he practiced it in L.A., he was using distilled water, because the water in the taps was murky, and you couldn't see through it. He brought the reserve tanks with him to Vegas and kept them in his rehearsal area. But he discovered that the tap water in Vegas is clear, so that's what he used in the show.

One night, he was getting ready to do the Aquarius, and the girl started to get into the tank. She stopped and said that the water was too hot. The stagehands had filled the tank from the wrong tap. It was about 180 degrees. So, with the audience's indulgence, they brought the other tanks out, drained off some of the water, and replaced that water with the cold water in the storage tanks. The water in the tank for the illusion was still fairly warm though.

They put the girl in the tank, brought the cabinet around, and Mark did his normal, "through the split in the curtains talk, which ended with One-two" and the assistant said "Three-It's Me!"

Nani was looking through the window in the side of the cabinet, and she ran offstage in tears. They wheeled the cabinet away, and there was Mark in the tank. They undid the chains, and Mark emerged from the tank -- as red as a lobster, with steam coming off his jumpsuit!

His cigar-chewing booking agent came up to him after the show and said, "Mark. The bit with the steam coming off your shoulders -- leave it in!"

This was the same guy who booked Ann-Margret into that gig at the MGM where she fell off the stage lift!

Bill Great Story next time you See Mr Wilson. ask him if he was Steaming MAD

He wasn't. He thought it was pretty funny. But Nani was really torqued about it.

Bill I meant Steaming Mad in a fun way. Guys always see the Humor in it and the ladies get miffed. and it can happen just the other way.

Great story. Thanks.

Ros

Great Story. Amazing how, the more you torture yourself, the more the audience likes it. Blood thirsty spectators.

I know a guy who used to work for Mark Wilson. I should print this out and give it to him. I wonder if Mr Wilson would get mad if we called him Red Lobster ?

Sounds like a catchy title for a Table Hopper. The Red Lobster.

Its actually called the ACQUARIAN Illusion--by Alan Wakeling.