Perform Houdini Escapes
Harry Houdini was a master of escapes whose name still resonates today. One of the things that made Houdini stand out was his showmanship. He knew capture an audience and make them come back for more. Read this elearn perform Houdini escapes.
Instructions
Learn to Perform Houdini Escapes
1. Create an interesting persona. Harry Houdini understood this, and excelled as a showman and charismatic figure. By creating an interesting persona, you create someone an audience will want to watch.
2. Watch the master at work. There are plenty of videos of Houdini's escapes on video or online.
3. Buy Houdini-style mailbags, shackles and neck collars, and learn to escape from them like Houdini. This takes years of practice to develop the master's level of skill.
4. Learn unobtrusive places to hide keys to handcuffs, chains, and the like. This was one of the secrets of Houdini's success.
5. Practice escaping from restraints, including handcuffs, chains, leg irons, straightjackets, ropes, prison cells, and the like.
6. Hold your breath for underwater escapes. Kirsten Johnson, a noted escape artist, has been filmed holding her breath up to 3:15 minutes while in a full-view torture cell. Learn to slow your metabolism and remain calm to extend the time you can hold your breath.
7. Allow your audience members the choice of things from which you must escape, or have the audience members bring their own devices. Remember the golden rule, as stated by Pro Magic: "Never attempt to perform an escape that you aren't certain to achieve."
Perform the Metamorhosis
8. Try the "Metamorphosis" trick with a partner. You will need a mailbag with a false bottom, handcuffs that open via a key and a safety catch accessible by the wearer, and a box with a false back.
9. Lock the wrists of either your partner, have the partner step into the trunk and into the mailbag. Tie the mailbag securely closed.
10. Stand on top of the box, and raise a curtain so you are hidden from view. The moment the lid of the box is closed, the partner should work his way out of the mailbag and exit through the false side or back of the box. He should then hold the curtain up for you.
11. Climb off the box, and crawl inside the box. Get into the mail bag, and fasten the cuffs. Your partner will drop the curtain, and then open the box, revealing that you are now the one imprisoned inside.
