Post updates by email:

One of the most interesting things that I’ve ever gotten to experience while I was in the theater, was to work as a magicians assistant in several stage illusions.

One of my good friends, who is currently an actor/director in the theater, was married to a brilliant magician who’s specialty was slight-of-hand. For those of you who may not be familiar with this type of magic, slight-of-hand involves close-up magic (using playing cards or objects). Usually the magician is performing only a few inches away from the audience, which is mind-blowing to watch, because you can‘t believe your eyes.

Anyway, I was living in Florida at the time, when the Orlando Magic basketball team had just been formed. My friends' husband and his business partner put together a few illusions to use during the games’ half-time show. They called themselves Orlando Magic. Not only did they perform stage illusions for the basketball team, but they also did conventions and special events.

I was asked to be in these illusions, because they wanted their assistant to pose as a basketball referee. And it was so neat, because the costume they put together made me look like one.

Now please understand that I’m sworn to “magician secrecy” and cannot divulge HOW these illusions were actually performed.

(because if I do…a bolt of lightening will hit me and my penis will fall off)

However, I CAN tell you that stage illusion magic is all about speed, dexterity, and a lot of practice. The first time I performed in front of an live audience I was scared shitless, because I knew that if any of my timing was off, the illusion would be shot.

One of the coolest illusions that I performed during a convention was called “The Sub Trunk.”

For this trick, I was placed in a large canvas bag with my hands tied behind my back. The bag was then tied at the top with a thick rope. I was then placed into a large wooden trunk, which the lid was then closed and secured with a long steel chain, and then locked.

This illusion was one in which I had to move at such incredible speed, yet at the same time remain calm, because if I panicked in anyway…everything would have tighten up on me and I would not have been able to remove myself from the rope and bag.

In this illusion, the magic takes place within seconds....

While I’m in the trunk, the magician is standing on top of the trunk holding a curtain in front of him. And on the count of three, he drops the curtain…

…and I end up in HIS place, as he comes walking in…from the BACK of the audience.

Ta, da!

OK...just call me David Copperfield.





32 comments:

  1. Woulda been a really bad time to trip, huh?

    ;-)

    Oh, but what fun to have your hand in magic! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow - it's cool to have those kind of experiences. I love watching all kinds of magic shows - they really are incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mornin' Mel!

    OY VEY...

    ...trip, hiccup, sneeze, or even BLINK!

    tee, hee!

    But you're right....WHAT FUN!!!!!

    Poof...it's Magic!

    Great seeing ya, Mel!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Hey...and how's the SNOW????

    HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh wow, I've always wanted to be a magician's assistant! You lucky devil you.

    My Mum and Dad bought be a magic set one Christmas when I was a little girl I loved it, especially the wand! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Howdy DP!

    Oh, me too!!!

    I've always been fascinated with magic.

    Yet I always shared with people, that it's best that magic remain a mystery, because when you actually discover how it's done...it takes the mystery out of it.

    Magic...is in the WONDER?!?!?

    Thanks for stopping by today, DP!

    It's always so nice seeing ya!

    Have an awesome day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good Morning Akelamalu!

    OMG....that's funny!!!

    You're so right...

    What is it about the "wand" that always makes you feel like you can do ANYTHING?????

    I too, was always fascinated with magic, so when they asked me to do this....I was YES! YES! YES!

    I also did the stage illusion where the magician cuts me in four pieces (with a blade) and then takes all four pieces apart...and then puts me back together again!!!

    And I almost lost my HEAD on that one!

    HAHAHAHHAA!

    Thanks for stopping by, dear lady!

    Hope you have a MAGICAL Wednesday!

    Poof!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OK - promise not to be angry with me - OK?

    magic annoys the crap outta me!

    I don't know why exactly, and I have been impressed now and then by a trick

    but I have never been able to sit through an entire magic show

    although - if you could do the trick where a ligtening bolt makes a penis fall off - THAT I would come to see

    I have no doubt that you made a fantastic assistant and would have been my favorite part of the show

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMG Dianne!!!!

    Your comment made me HOWL!!!

    YOU ARE TOO FUNNY!!!!

    Hey....I can totally understand being annoyed at something.

    CLOWNS do that to me!!!

    OMG, can I just tell ya....not only do I NOT find them amusing, but they TOTALLY irritate me beyond words!!!!

    PLUS...they look like FREAKS!

    Do you remember the TV show Happy the Clown?

    eeeeewww! He was possessed!

    Thanks for stopping by, dear lady!

    I always LOVE what you share!!!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Ron,
    What a life you have lived; everytime, we all discover a new side of Ronnie !
    That cracks me up about you in the striped Ref's uniform too !!
    Did you have a little silver whistle too ?!!

    OK OK; a secret is a secret;we would not want you to walk around "incomplete" for the rest of your days :)
    Sending the best from Didier & myself from chilly Paris xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry I'm late :O
    My friend Art does magic tricks. He has spongy litte red fuzzy balls
    (I know you giggled as you read that!!)
    but he makes like he is slicing one in half and another appears, and he puts it in somebody's hand and makes it disappear.
    He has a little orange handkerchief that he makes disappear too. And a big penny that he pulls out from behind people's ear.
    Hand is quicker than the eye...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hiya Barbara!

    YES!!! I had a little silver whistle that I got to BLOW my brains out!!!

    And it was SO LOUD!!!

    I had actually forgotten that I was magicians assistant, but last week, when I was sitting downn to write a post...I suddenly remembered!

    Oh...and it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

    And yes...I wouldn't dare tell anyone about HOW the illusions are done, because GOD FORBID!!!

    HAHAHAHAHA!

    Thanks for stopping by today, Barb!

    Always a treat!

    Give a HELLO to Didier for me!

    And it's FINALLY chilly here, too. This weekend we're getting FREEZING temps!!!

    YAHOOO!

    Enjoy your evening!

    ReplyDelete
  12. OMG DEBI....I DID giggle as I read that!!!

    How FUNNY!

    I think most men's are fuzzy, however, the RED is quite unique!

    HAHHAHAHA!

    Hey...his tricks sound so COOL!

    The type of magic your friend Art does is VERY difficult too. Anything close-up...is more challenging!

    Thanks for stopping today, Deb!

    And you're NEVER late...you're always on time!

    Hope you had a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. ron, well I hate magic but would love to know how you did it....guess that's out of the question but would you give us a hint? :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Linda!

    The only hint I can give...

    is SPEED!!!!

    If you knew how it was done, it would take all the mystery away.

    And that's magic!

    Thanks for stopping by, Linda!

    Hope you had a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW!! That's SUPER cool, Ron!! I can't tell you how much I am in AWE of people who can pull of this stuff... I know it's all what you said... and just an "illusion," but every time I see a performance of some sort, I always get pulled in and really believe in my mind it's all real, though I know it's really not... it's a weird feeling--- I'm always like... "Now, how did he DO that.... WOWWWWWW!!!! NO WAY!!! WOOOWWWW.... And it get's me every time... It must have been sooo cool to have been able to do this... (I'll wait for you to come to France to divulge your secrets--- and tempt you will all sorts of chocolates and quiches... and other baked goods... ; ) Take good care RON, and and have a wonderful Thursday!!!!
    Hugs from France!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bonjour Leesa!

    Hey...now I MIGHT just divulge the secrets if you pay me in cookies!

    HAHAHAHAHAHA!

    No, it's just as you said....it's so much better to let yourself get pulled in and WONDER!

    I think if people actually knew HOW these tricks were done...you'd be surprised at how simple it really is.

    The first time I was explained how the illusions worked...I was like...

    "It that ALL?????"

    It's better NOT to know!

    Thanks for dropping by today, Leesa!

    Wishing you a wonderful Thursday from Philly!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  17. OH...MY...DOG...did I make a typo?
    LOL Did I actually type "litte"?
    Instead of "little"?! :O

    ReplyDelete
  18. Morning Debi!

    Hey, you know what's funny?

    I NEVER even noticed that!!!!

    But I've done that myself PLENTY of times!!!

    I honestly think that blogger should add a "spell check" to their commenting format! Wouldn't that be cool?

    Hope you're having a GRANDE' day!

    Thanks for stopping back, Deb!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I worked with an illusionist once, she practiced slight of hand tricks and in two seconds all my money, house, car and other belongings were gone. Her assistant was a very unethical lawyer, I will never be on stage with her again.
    So much for the ex wife.

    Hocus Pocus

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ronnie: How did I miss that you posted. Did you do one of those illusions on me...then suddenly

    *POP* Appear.

    AMAZING!

    Hey was Shaq a playing basketball in Orlando then? I've seen him at games but never met him. I met the Lakers girls...woo! And Rick Fox and a couple coahes. And Stu, the anouncer. That Rick Fox...is a FOX. God, he is gorgeous...WANT! I think he was married then or I would have thown myself at him...litterally. CATCH ME! :D

    Anyway ronnie, I used to go with a magician. My bra would fall open on its own...never figgered that one out. I used to call him David Cop-a-feel. Boy did he ever.

    hehehehe. Hey I saw how some of them do magic...some of it is so simple. DUH...I felt like a idiot...so I'm glad you aren't telling...I don't want to know. hehehe.

    Ciao sweetie...I loved your fun post. :D

    ReplyDelete
  21. (....because if I do…a bolt of lightening will hit me and my penis will fall off)

    Oh my god.

    Too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  22. HOLY SHIT Dave!!!!

    I wish you could have heard me BUST out laughing when I read your comment!!!

    OMG...that was the FUNNIEST damn thing I've heard!!

    What an ILLUSION too!!!

    Well..I'm sure after that trick, you want no more than to see her VANISH!

    Poof!

    Thanks SO MUCH for sharing that story on this post, my funny friend!

    It was brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Miss Jones!!!!

    Between Dave's previous comment and YOURS....I'm DYING over here!!!

    The two you had me HOWLING!!!

    OMG...that's so funny!

    Dave Cop-a-feel!!!!!!!!!

    You're freaking brilliant!

    oooh...and yes, Shaq WAS playing for the Orlando Magic at the time and I saw him when I would do the shows, but I never got the chance to speak to him.

    And your so right, my friend. Once you know HOW the illusions are done, there's really nothing left to ENJOY!

    So my lips are SEALED!

    Thank you SO MUCH for adding your words to this post, Miss Jones!

    They ALWAYS sparkle!

    Ciao bella!

    P.S. There is something going on with my google reader at the moment. For the past three days I haven't been able to see when people are posting, so I'm just visiting everyone everyday!?!?! Maybe that's the reason why you didn't see my post on your reader?!!? But anyway...thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Sibyllae!!!

    Which is WHY I won't EVER divulge how the illusions are done!!!

    HAHAHHAHHA!

    GREAT seeing ya, my friend!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Magically,
    Mr. Copperfield
    tee, hee!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Is there anything you have NOT done?

    Holy crap man, just when I think I've heard all about the man behind the avatar, BAM!!! another thing you've done gets told.

    Way cool. I've got to think this was a great gig.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Geez...I just met anndi...she came over to visit so naturally I had to go see who the smartass was. She is keeeewl. 'Course then I saw the reference to her blog twin so I HAD to come here...it's a friggin blogspheric odyssey tonight--- I tell ya!!

    So.

    Vent.

    Thunderbolts and penile separation??? Geeeez magicians are hard asses eh? It couldn't be a simple thunderbolt OR no penis forever, they have to go with AND. Harsh.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Howdy Jeff!

    Yes...I've NEVER played the Tuba!

    HAHAHAHHA!

    Hey...do you know what it is?

    I've always been one of those people who likes to try EVERYTHING. I like to learn things and then move on to learn something else. I've always know that I'm on this earth to experience MANY things and feel so blessed to have be giving the opportunities do them.

    And yes, Jeff...doing magic with these magicians was such a great gig. They eventually went on to do other things without one another, so Orlando Magic dissolved. But damn...it was fun while it lasted!!

    Thanks a lot for stopping by for a little magic, buddy!

    It's always so GREAT seeing ya!

    And glad to see you're back blogging!

    Later gator!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Greetings Hope!

    Welcome!

    Hey, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.

    It's so nice meeting you!

    Isn't Anndi a DOLL????

    Yes, she and I are Libra Twins who were separated at birth and then found one another through our BLOGS!!!

    No, no...she and I just have so many things in common, we hit it off immediately.

    She's a great lady and I feel blessed in knowing her!

    Hey...and you're so right!

    Magicians are such HARD ASSES, aren't they?

    But I still won't ever chance revealing these illusions in fear of LOSING "something."

    HAHAHAHHA!

    Thanks again for stopping by, Hope!

    Drop in anytime!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm a magician. I can make chocolate disappear in the blink of an eye.

    Oh... Hope is very cool, I predict a long and happy laughter filled blog relationship.

    Well, whattaya know... I'm a psychic too!

    I have mad skillz!

    ReplyDelete
  30. How cool! A magician's assistant! Did you learn a lot? Can you make my Visa bill disappear? :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hola Anndi!

    Holy Shit...you and I know the exact same magic trick...

    "How to Make Chocolate Disappear"

    And it's such a YUMMY trick, isn't it?

    YES!!!! I met Hope last night after she met YOU! I LOVE her blog and her humor. I look forward to getting to know her!

    Small world isn't it?

    Thanks for stopping by again, Anndi!

    Always FUN!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Nitebyrd!

    Yes! I DO have a trick for making Visa bills disappear...

    ....don't open them!

    Tee, hee!

    I presently have only one charge card now and I try to baby it. But sometimes I JUST gotta use it, ya know?

    Always great seeing ya, Miss Nitebyrd!

    Have a great weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete