Magic Trick The Eglinton Rope Test. The Eglinton Rope Test is a classic escape illusion that leaves audiences baffled. This trick utilizes clever knotting and misdirection to create the appearance of a tightly bound performer who miraculously escapes.
Magic Trick The Eglinton Rope Test
Effect of the Trick
- Binding the Performer: The magician ties a rope around their wrists, which is then sealed and attached to a chair.
- Sealed Ropes: The performer demonstrates how securely they are tied while presenting the sealed knots to the audience.
- The Escape: After being sealed in a cabinet or behind a curtain, the performer uses a hidden knife to cut the rope and produces a second, identical rope.
- Final Reveal: The audience is invited to inspect the rope, proving that the performer has escaped while appearing completely tied.
Props Needed
- Rope: A sturdy piece of rope, long enough to tie around the wrists and fasten to a chair.
- Chair: A stable chair or prop to which the rope will be tied.
- Sealing Wax: For sealing the knots to enhance the illusion of being tightly bound.
- Knife: A concealed knife sewn into the performer’s trousers for cutting the rope.
- Cabinet or Canopy: To create the illusion of an enclosed space while the escape is executed.
Preparation and Setup
- Rope Preparation:
- Cut two lengths of rope, one for binding and another as a replacement.
- For the replacement rope, tie two single knots about three to four inches apart, and seal them with wax.
- Tie a double knot that connects the two ends of the replacement rope, placing it about an inch from each single knot and sealing it as well.
- Performance Setup:
- Place the chair in view of the audience.
- Ensure the cabinet or canopy is ready for the escape moment.
Steps to Perform the Trick
- Audience Binding:
- Present the rope to the audience and have a volunteer tie it around the performer’s wrists tightly, ensuring the knots are sealed with wax.
- Attach the end of the rope to the back of the chair and seal this knot as well.
- Display of Security:
- Emphasize how tightly and securely you are bound, drawing attention to the sealed knots while engaging the audience with a narrative or patter.
- The Escape Process:
- Enter the cabinet or behind the canopy, making it seem like you’re trapped.
- While concealed, use the hidden knife to cut through the first rope, then retrieve the prepared replacement rope from your pocket.
- Slip your hands through the large loop created by the first rope and twist them so that the two single knots align between your wrists.
- Revealing the Illusion:
- When the lights come back on, or the curtain is drawn, you can either reappear at the front of the stage or engage an audience member to check the ropes.
- Allow the audience to inspect the knots, which now appear as one solid knot, creating the illusion that you never escaped.
- Final Reveal:
- Invite a volunteer to cut the rope (the replacement one) to demonstrate that you were indeed tied and that the knots are still intact.
- Conclude the trick by returning to the stage, showing that you have escaped from the bindings.
Tips for Success
- Misdirection is Key: Maintain a lively performance to keep the audience engaged, allowing for smooth transitions while you prepare for the escape.
- Practice the Hand Movements: Ensure you can easily twist your wrists to hide the knots and smoothly bring the replacement rope into view.
- Sealing Wax Technique: Be quick but careful when sealing the knots; the appearance of being securely tied adds to the illusion.
- Engage the Audience: Involve them in the process, making them part of the experience, which enhances the overall impact of the trick.
Conclusion
The Eglinton Rope Test is a stunning example of how clever technique and performance can create the illusion of escape. Through meticulous preparation and effective misdirection, the performer can amaze audiences with a seemingly impossible escape from securely tied ropes, leaving them to ponder the magic long after the show is over.
