BLTP Perform Alice in Wonderland

The Black Light Theatre of Prague (“BTLP”) is from Prague and does use black light along with Black Art equipment. There is truth in advertising. They do not claim to be magicians even though they make teacups float, humans fly, and giants emerge from the darkened stage. An article in the Seacoast Online explains the mechanics of Black Art and the secrets behind the flying, floating and emerging. The article also notes that the art was long considered and is still viewed to be “a magic trick.”

So, is this exposure? Tough call. No doubt the BLTP will entertain and amaze but the methods used will be made plain. They do not claim to be magicians and they do not claim to be performing magic. Does this take them outside of the boundaries of our profession? It seems like it.

The article apparently quotes one of the Theatre members in explaining, “the black light technique, also known as black cabinet or box trick, relies on an optical illusion that uses the human eye’s inability to distinguish black on black.” Need more information? The article continues, “actors attired entirely in the color work against a black background, making them virtually invisible to the audience. The same technique is used to disguise devices, such as the flying apparatus, used in BLTP’s show. Objects and stage props handled by the ‘black actors,’ and similarly disguised mechanisms, appear to move about on their own.”

Maybe we’re taking this too seriously. After all, as the article points out, Black Art has been used by magicians and performers all the way back to ancient China and Japan. (Curiously, it does not mention India’s considerable contribution to the magic of Black Art).

In this month’s Magic Magazine, Mike Close praised as novel and entertaining Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster’s psuedo-impromptu Black Art theater. The effect taught in the DVD by Mr. Ellis and Ms. Webster is no different than those performed by the BLTP.

The BLTP’s performance and exposure is therefore exposure of a magic method currently used by magicians. There is just nothing that can be done to the theater group because they are not within our magic community.

What are your thoughts? Would it be okay if Wayne Newton performed David Copperfield’s Elevator Appearance at the start of his show and then proceeded to describe how it worked? We’re probably missing something here. It just seems to be a shame.

BLTP Perform Alice in Wonderland

The Black Light Theatre of Prague (“BTLP”) is from Prague and does use black light along with Black Art equipment. There is truth in advertising. They do not claim to be magicians even though they make teacups float, humans fly, and giants emerge from the darkened stage. An article in the Seacoast Online explains the mechanics of Black Art and the secrets behind the flying, floating and emerging. The article also notes that the art was long considered and is still viewed to be “a magic trick.”

So, is this exposure? Tough call. No doubt the BLTP will entertain and amaze but the methods used will be made plain. They do not claim to be magicians and they do not claim to be performing magic. Does this take them outside of the boundaries of our profession? It seems like it.

The article apparently quotes one of the Theatre members in explaining, “the black light technique, also known as black cabinet or box trick, relies on an optical illusion that uses the human eye’s inability to distinguish black on black.” Need more information? The article continues, “actors attired entirely in the color work against a black background, making them virtually invisible to the audience. The same technique is used to disguise devices, such as the flying apparatus, used in BLTP’s show. Objects and stage props handled by the ‘black actors,’ and similarly disguised mechanisms, appear to move about on their own.”

Maybe we’re taking this too seriously. After all, as the article points out, Black Art has been used by magicians and performers all the way back to ancient China and Japan. (Curiously, it does not mention India’s considerable contribution to the magic of Black Art).

In this month’s Magic Magazine, Mike Close praised as novel and entertaining Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster’s psuedo-impromptu Black Art theater. The effect taught in the DVD by Mr. Ellis and Ms. Webster is no different than those performed by the BLTP.

The BLTP’s performance and exposure is therefore exposure of a magic method currently used by magicians. There is just nothing that can be done to the theater group because they are not within our magic community.

What are your thoughts? Would it be okay if Wayne Newton performed David Copperfield’s Elevator Appearance at the start of his show and then proceeded to describe how it worked? We’re probably missing something here. It just seems to be a shame.