Howard County Fair 2007: Turn-of-the-Century Magic
The 2006 movies The Prestige and The Illusionist captured the public's imagination and created a revival of interest in magic. It's no surprise that both motion pictures were set around the turn of the 20th century, a period known for well-dressed magicians and educated audiences.
With this in mind, Matt and Peter Wood set out to create a show featuring many classic magic themes, but with their own unique twist.
The show opened with a traditional manipulation act, featuring sleight of hand with candles, balls, bubbles, and handkerchiefs.
Next came a classic magic premise: the burning and restoration of a gentleman's handkerchief. While burned classically enough, it was restored with the help of a small washing machine, built by the brothers.
A Victorian apparatus for analyzing cards was introduced next, which was supposedly able to scan and identify the spectator's selected playing card. The apparatus kept breaking, but with hilarious and magical results.
The show's finale featured Matt in a death-defying escape illusion, where he had to free himself from restraints before being pierced by 18 canes (every show it seemed like they leave the swords at home).
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The Wood brothers, like all magicians, are disinclined to reveal the magic secrets used in their shows. However, they enjoy sharing the technical secrets and trivia behind their shows, and are happy to answer any non-magical questions in person or online. What follows are some unknown facts and bits of trivia from the 2007 performances at the Howard County Fair. - The pre- and post-show announcements were custom-recorded for Shazam Magic by Katie Sasso, a talented actress and voice-over artist - Because there was no place for prop storage onstage, Matt was kept quite busy shuttling props on and off stage. The Amazing Handkerchief Trick, which has the most props of the show, kept Matt particularly busy. - The Card Identification Apparatus (or CIA, as it's known to the brothers) was custom-built by Peter for the show. It featured two motors, several springs, flickering light bulbs, and a fog machine for the finale. - The Cane Cabinet illusion is a classic of magic, but the escape aspect and costume change were added by Peter and Matt to enhance it and add extra elements. It was most popular when canes were a common item, where it would sometimes be performed with borrowed walking sticks. - 21 canes were used in the show: 18 for the cabinet, 2 appearing canes that Matt uses throughout, and 1 which becomes a stand for Peter's top hat in the opening sleight-of-hand routine. - The Shazam Magic sign was custom-made for 2007 by Peter, as the regular Shazam sign is very bright and modern. An overall theme of walnut and brass can be found in the furniture and many of the props, to suggest the time period. - Matt made a cane appear approximately six times per show ... almost a hundred times throughout the week. Since only two are used throughout each performance, he had to reset each several times backstage. |
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