Status: Magic Trick
A lot of sites have been linking to
this video of a pair of quick-change artists performing on NBC's America's Got Talent. The video is fun to watch if you haven't seen them performing before. The pair are magicians
David & Dania, who were recently profiled in this
Slate.com article. Apparently the duo have become the most popular act during NBA half-time shows.
So how is the trick done? Slate.com reports that:
the trick dates back to the 19th century, and the first English-language manual to describe the art was published in 1911. Back then, magicians connected the various layers via hook-and-eye fasteners; today, the literature describes no fewer than 15 different methods of pulling off the trick, using such devices as Velcro, magnets, and "fish bone pull fasteners."
In other words, it relies on special clothing and a lot of practice. If you watch the video closely, the moment when she has the hoop around her and changes from a green into a purple dress is the one time you can almost see the costume change occurring. I have no idea how she pulls off the trick at the end in which she changes clothes as glitter falls around her.
Comments
A costume construction suitable for stage use permitting a rapid change of appearance during a period of temporary concealment of the user to create the illusion of total removal and substitution of a costume. The construction is such that the costume is maintained in position by one or more rapidly disconnectable fastening means permitting the costume to display another garment concealed therebeneath.
It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in convertible costume construction in which a user initially wears an inner costume and an outer costume, the outer costume being constructed such that it may be rapidly opened to permit it to fall under the force of gravity to uncover the inner costume. When necessary, the inner costume may be maintained above the waist of the wearer to be released to fall to normal position as the outer costume element is doffed. The use of a quick release fastener means enables the operation to be performed in a manner of seconds while the user is temporarily concealed within a flexible envelope erected by another person.
Posted by Andrew. on Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 01:11 PM
The people who think it is the supernatural things that are helping them, GET REAL!!!
Posted by Andrew on Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 03:30 AM
Andrew, you can recognize a facetious comment when you see one, right? Case in point, my signature. I'm not really a witchy, flying in the air. *grin*
That being said, the act is amazing and I enjoyed it.