Your favorite stage illusions — Page 2

I seen a tour of Scrooge in Dublin the other night and thought I'd post some of the illusions done by Paul Kieve.

- The Ghost Of Jacob Marley had the best illusions in my opinion. My favorite one was when Scrooge's bedroom door swung open to reveal Jacob Marley then quicky slammed shut. Scrooge ran to the door and opened it out, to reveal Jacob had been gone. As Scrooge closed the door Jacob Marley appeared behind the door. Very badly described. If anyone can do a better job, feel free.

- An armchair in Scrooge's bedroom an armchair done a full 360 turn then as it turned to face the audience again the ghost of Christmas Past was on it. Not the best description but it amused me as I didn't notice trap doors in the stage and the chair was in the centre.

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It's really simple but I love it: in The Lion King when the light blue piece of fabric representing the water in the Pride Lands is pulled beneath the stage to represent the water running out.

I dont know if this counts as an "illusion" or not, but the faces of the "four black dragons" in PACIFIC OVERTURES that, by moving a few screens, become the side of a Naval destroyer. One of my favourite pieces of Aaronson staging.

Second favourite has to be from the original production of SWEENEY TODD, when he finally gets the judge in his chair. He slits the throat, and his arm follows through in a curve pointing offstage, and the blood just follows the arc. Wonderful and harrowing at the same time.

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I loved the beginning (like a musical overture) of Orphans' Home Cycle -- there were sliding panels moving across the stage, and you saw Horace Robideaux age

He stepped behind one panel as a boy, and walk out the other side as a young man

It was simple and beautiful

And 10-ish years ago I saw Richard III in London, and they did 'rain' with all these chains hanging down from the ceiling to the floor, and a huge clap of thunder with them dropping all at once

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Updated On: 12/14/10 at 01:10 PM

the opening scene of tarzan with the storm and shipwreck is definitely my favorite.

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Can someone explain how they do the illusions in Mary Poppins particulary the bed?

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Eh. Flying in the theatre has never really impressed me (save, ironically enough, Spider-Man). The main problem is that real, exciting flying should involve drastic motion, which is hard to portray on stage. Elphaba just sort of "floats" there, 10 feet above them all as they stare up at her awkwardly. Moreover, it makes no sense whatsoever for her to be clutching the broom and twirling it around instead of riding it. Nobody can explain that to me.

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My favorite: There's a moment in Next to Normal when (spoiler?) Dan is mopping up blood. The effect they use is so simple, but creates such a visceral image - it shocks me every time.

"My favorite: There's a moment in Next to Normal when (spoiler?) Dan is mopping up blood. The effect they use is so simple, but creates such a visceral image - it shocks me every time."

This. It's one of those things where if you're not actually paying attention, you might miss it or not think you actually saw it.

Not exactly an illusion, but projectile vomit in God of Carnage was both authentic and surprising. haha

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I'M CHANGING from Dreamgirls. A simple and definitive stage illusion. No tricks, no elevator, just a follow spot and the work of a genius.

Does anyone else recall the amazing house/set of An Inspector Calls. How it breaks open and such... I always thought that was AMAZING!

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The transformation of little Joey into big Joey in War Horse.

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