Since ancient times, magicians with their performances gathered a huge number of spectators, arousing admiration for their skill. They remain popular even now, although people have become much more distrustful than before.
The secrets of the magicians, despite the fact that they are carefully guarded and surrounded by an atmosphere of secrecy, are quite often exposed. On the one hand, people want to believe in magic, and the performances of the masters still attract a huge number of spectators. On the other hand, many people try to comprehend the secret of the trick, not wanting to be deceived. Cutting tricks are of two types: the first requires the skill and artistry of the "magician" himself, the second - good technical equipment of the stage and the skill of an assistant.
Focus Andy Gross
Andy Gross is a well-known illusionist in the USA. He noticeably stands out from a number of his predecessors in that he shows his art right on the street, without the participation of assistants and sophisticated technology. With the "cut man" trick, he often frightens passers-by, unexpectedly appearing from around a corner or a tree. It seems that the upper part of the body is cut off from the lower one, for which he seems to just hold on with his hands. At the same time, the magician emits a menacing growl, adding to the effect of the trick.
The same illusion was used by David Copperfield for quite some time. In order to mislead the public, the magician needs to sit down and move the body as much as possible to the side. It is very inconvenient to move around, but the effect is worth it. So that the clothes do not interfere with the focus, the foreman's trousers are cut from the back from the waist to the knee, so that at the right moment he can shift his body without hindrance. In the trousers themselves there is a thin frame that creates the effect of the presence of legs in the legs.
Classic Assistant Cutting Trick
This illusion is achieved on stage with a large sliding two-part drawer on a high stand. Its wall closest to the audience opens, and the girl is put into the box, securing the upper body and legs. Then the wall is raised, and the magician's assistant is hidden from the audience.
The girl's legs are fixed very fragilely, so that she can instantly pull them out as soon as the audience stops seeing her. Then she pulls her knees to her chest, finding herself completely on the left side of the box. It is at this moment that the magician divides the space in the middle with a huge saw. The halves are rolled away from each other (for the half where the assistant's legs are no longer, sometimes a radio-controlled dummy of moving feet is used), then they are connected again. At this moment, the girl again sticks her legs into the second half, under the bindings, and when the wall closest to the audience is opened, she still looks tightly tied.
