The Asrah levitation, sometimes called Lighter than Air, is a classic
levitation illusion
A levitation illusion is one in which a magician appears to defy gravity by making an object or person float in the air. The subject may appear to levitate unassisted, or it may be performed with the aid of another object (such as a silver ball fl ...
.
Effect
The
magician
Magician or The Magician may refer to:
Performers
* A practitioner of magic (supernatural)
* A practitioner of magic (illusion)
* Magician (fantasy), a character in a fictional fantasy context
Entertainment
Books
* ''The Magician'', an 18th-ce ...
hypnotizes an assistant and commands them to recline on a table or couch. The assistant is then fully covered with a
cloth
Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, etc. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not the ...
and
levitate
Levitation (from Latin ''levitas'' "lightness") is the process by which an object is held aloft in a stable position, without mechanical support via any physical contact.
Levitation is accomplished by providing an upward force that counteracts ...
d under the cloth. The form of the assistant is still visible while levitating. Moments later, the assistant slowly floats down. As the magician pulls off the cloth, the assistant vanishes instantly. The assistant sometimes reappears in a different location, often in the audience.
History
This illusion is credited to
Servais Le Roy
Servais Le Roy (4 May 1865 – 2 June 1953 ) was a Belgian magician, illusion designer and businessman. He is known for the act ''Le Roy, Talma and Bosco'' and as the inventor of the classic levitation illusion '' Asrah the Floating Princess''.
L ...
and was first performed with his wife as assistant in 1902.
Method
The trick uses a form made of thin wire that is hidden behind the couch and suspended from above on fine wires. When the assistant lies down on the couch the form is quickly moved on top of her while the cloth cover is being deployed with a flourish. The form is then raised while the assistant escapes through a trap in the couch or the couch is removed offstage by stagehands. The wires making up the form are thin enough that when the cloth is removed, they cannot easily be seen against a complex backdrop.
See also
*
Balducci levitation
The Balducci levitation is a levitation illusion first described by Ed Balducci. Its inventor is unknown. It is an impromptu magic trick, which has been popularized by many magicians, such as David Roth, Paul Harris, and David Blaine.
Effect ...
*
David Copperfield's flying illusion David Copperfield has performed a levitation illusion in several magic shows since 1992 in which he appears to fly on stage for several minutes, while surrounded by audience members. The flight is notable for its graceful motion and unencumbered app ...
*
King levitation
The King Rising levitation is a levitation illusion developed by and named after Corey King sold exclusively through Ellusionist. The King Rising was the first original magic effect to be released by the company, paving the way for many inventors t ...
References
External links
Example of Asrah levitation
{{Magic and Illusion
Levitation (illusion)