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TRICKS, ILLUSIONS, & SPECIAL STAGE EQUIPMENT TAYLOR-MADE FOR FAUST THE MAGICIAN |
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A NEW "MAGIC OF MERLIN" BOOK ILLUSION GRANVILLE TAYLOR with one of his "MAGIC OF MERLIN" illusion books. This was made by theatrical prop- maker Peter Pullen, with strong canvas stretched over wooden frames. The other book illusion was made in Tokyo for the 1975 tour. Each operate on a different principle, but the effect is the same. In FAUST's Show, the book is held by two assistants in Royal Court costume, and the Jester, a midget, opens the book and turns the pages. The last page shows a painting of Merlin. The book is closed for a few seconds, and opened up again to reveal FAUST as MERLIN, in the identical costume to that on the page. |
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| THE TIP-OVER BOX PRODUCTION OF A GIRL When Granville Taylor joined Murray's "International Wonder Show" in 1951, this was the first illusion he was involved with in its presentation. It is a quick and surprising production of a girl from the obviously empty box. Like Murray, Faust follows it up with the "Dizzy Limit" Net Vanish of the Girl in Mid-Air", before the audience have time to think! |
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THE SNAKE BASKET "The Cunning Cobra" Designed by MARCO F.GAREH ("MARCO") exclusively for FAUST. Made by Granville Taylor, with a million thanks to "Marco", the gifted engineer and craftsman who has made quality tricks and illusions for Murray, John Calvert, and Faust. A card is selected, shuffled back in the pack, and the cards dropped into the basket. A snake slowly rises out of the basket, with a card in its mouth. It is the wrong card! Snake drops back inside, and throws out a shower of cards as it tries to find the correct one. Eventually, it rises up with the correct card. |
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A 'MARTIN' REPLICA SILK PRODUCTION TUBE A TAYLOR-MADE replica of the 'Martin' original. As used by Arnold De Biere. |
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OKITO PRODUCTION BOXES & CHAIR Granville Taylor saw this production number performed by ALI BEY, who produced a variety of livestock from the boxes after showing each to be empty, even dismantling the purple box. Silks, rabbits, doves, chickens, and even a duck from the silks, were produced to the delight of the audience. |
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PAIR OF 'MARTIN' REPLICA SMALL "BUTTERFLIES" In one of the Albo books, in the 'Martin' section there is a photograph of one of these, but it was John Gaughan, on a visit to Granville's home, who told him of its use. Later, Granville made this pair of "butterflies". Granville makes all his own silks from pure Chinese silk of a heavier quality than usual, hems them on his mother's old treadle sewing machine, and then tie-dyes them as required. |
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THE 'DOG TO DUCK' TABLE. As a boy, Granville Taylor saw Ali Bey produce a Pekinese dog from a built-up kennel. The dog was placed on a table, covered with a cloth and brought towards the front of the stage, where the cloth was shaken and a duck appeared. Granville Taylor has reproduced both these numbers, but with equipment in a modern style. Above is the 'Dog to Duck' table, made from Brazilian mahogany, with a red leather top. Note the false drawer, which gives a logical reason for the depth of the table. |
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