CIRCLE, SQUARE

This trick is a basic principle of magic. The methodology can be used for many different effects, both close up and stage.

The performer shows a large square box with four sides but no top or bottom. It is held up to the audience and they can see right through the opening. Also shown is a cylinder-shaped box (the circle) which also has neither a top or bottom, it too is shown to be empty. The circle is placed over the the square and with the right word, out pops an assistant, magically.

The secret:

This trick can be made small for close-up or huge for stage. You can make objects or people appear or disappear, depending only upon the size of the circle and square. The trick is made up of a cylinder and a box. The cylinder is large enough to fit over the box, completely covering it. Neither box or cylinder have a top or bottom. The cylinder and the box are not faked. In the simplest form, the person or object which is going to appear is in the cylinder which begins on a table or the middle of the stage (depends on the size of the illusion). The box is shown to be empty, it is then placed into the cylinder. Then the cylinder is lifted and shown to be empty. Now the person or object is hidden by the box. When the cylinder is replaced over the box, the tricky part is done. From the audience's point of view, you have shown both box and cylinder to be empty.

Variations:

The box has a window cut into it. Without bringing too much attention to this fact, remove the brightly-colored cylinder (if this is how you have decorated it) from over the box. The window will now show what appears to be the dark inside of the box. Then replace the cylinder and lift the box. Both were shown empty. So where was the person or object? There is an inner cylinder (inside the box) which the audience does not and cannot see since it is always inside either the box or the square. It is smaller in diameter than the colored cylinder and it is painted flat blac k, the same color as the inside of both the box and the colored cylinder .

When the audience sees through the window after the colored cylinder has been removed, they are actually looking at the exterior or the inner cylinder and not the inside of the box. When done in this version, the illusion can be viewed in the round without having any trouble spots for the performer.

Another concept is to have the square fit over the cylinder rather that vice versa. Of course, this arrangement would make the inner hiding place a square rather than a circle. Confused yet? Wait, there's more.

Another version is to perform this effect like that of the Dollhouse Illusion. Only one cylinder and one box or square is used. The person is hidden in the cylinder, which is placed behind the square. The square is not attached on all sides, in fact the back and one side are open and ajar. When you begin you lift the square and show it to be empty, when you replace it to the stage you place it directly i n front o f the circle. The back of the square is open. When you lift the ci rcle the appearer crawls into the square from their hiding place inside of the circle. Then you place the circle into the square and over the appearer. Spin the box around and hook up the back and side. Then out pops the assistant.

If the illusion is made for table size, you can produce a rabbit or scarfs or any number of items.

Big or small, this one is a basic staple of magic.

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