The Creation of Light & Space

The illusion we presented on the last episode of “Five Stars Carnival” is entitled “Light & Space”. Of the almost two dozen stage illusions that Ning & I present, this is Ning’s favourite or at least one of her top three.

In an interesting tidbit, it has take Ning & I just over 2 years to get all the illusions down in the precise manner we now present them as seen on TV and on stage live 6 days a week.

Check out the illusion on Five Stars Carnival below or on YouTube here.

“Light & Space” is an evolution of my original “Crystal Striptease” illusion that I performed on live TV for the President’s Star Charity 2004 (the same TV theatre that we taped “Five Stars Carnival”). But, I then wanted to move to a more modern-styled illusion which resulted in the creation of “Light & Space” (although, we have also since revived “Crystal Striptease” with ‘Magic Babe’).

When I first performed “Light & Space”, I was the one who vanished and two dancers did the impalement with the light staffs. Subsequently, when Ning teamed up in the show, we switched places/ roles. We have played the illusion at hundreds or corporate events and it goes especially well when we customize the illusion.

The fundamental premise of “Light & Space” is by no means new. The bare bones effect is that a person gets into a box (for lack of a better word). It is then impaled with two strobing light staffs and the person vanishes. The person eventually reappears. Other illusions that follow this basic effect include the classic Sword Basket Box, Tube & Spear and different forms of the Spiker. So what is the big deal with this specific design?

There are some small but siginificant design elements that ensure the illusion elicits spontaenous response of amazement. Firstly, the way the vanish and reappearance is presented is completely different from each other. In practically every illusion of this genre, the girl vanishes and reappears in the same way. Hence, the illusion is telegraphed with an expectant finished. “Light & Space” features an unexpected fast vanish and reappearance that are completely different from each other, which makes it very strong.

The strobing LED light staffs were a deliberate prop to create a high-tech feel and were different from the traditional swords.

The high elevation of the prop also makes the illusion visually even more impossible as there is no place for the person to go because the audience can clearly see beneath and around the table/ box at all times.

Incidentally, this illusion is described in my 2nd illusion book ‘Equilateral’.

Hope you have enjoyed the thinking behind this illusion!