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I'm currently on the hunt for a simple 'assistant disappearing act' that has hardly any props for it (it's going to be the finale number to an act that's going on tour (fringe, etc) so we have to transport it everywhere!)

I've found nothing so far, any helps guys?...

Is there not something at the end of the Mark Wilson book?

I may be completely wrong as I don't have it in Dundee, but there is some other bits and pieces that may give you some ideas.

Kev

Would a BA table that can break down and pack flat work for you?

Does your assistant have to disappear or can he or she be just switched out?

mark wilsons has a cardboard box prodution that could be used in reverse similar to the victory cartons or square circle production.

The Wilson & Tarbell courses will give you several concepts to work with, I'd also suggest you look up the Gary Darwin Book of Inexpensive Illusions. Many of the bits featured in the Darwin book have been used regularly by Lance Burton, Sigfried & Roy, Blackstone and others so I'm certain you can find something there (including a wonderful "DeKolta Chair" vanish that uses a normal chair and no stage trap).

There is a device known in the trade as a "Tarbell Platform" or "Triangle Base". It is a very simple 2 x 4 construction with a plywood top that can be made to look rough or futuristic depending on how you choose to theme things. What the audience sees are two rectangles that are roughly 14 inches tall x 24+ inches long with one end butted (hinged) against the other and, as I've said, a triangular top that not only gives you a place to stand, but also gives the frames a big more solidity.

The audience can see you walk and move behind the "table" UNTIL you are ready to do the naughty stuff that's involved.

It works with "black art" (Dough Henning actually used a variation to Black Art when he featured this piece) and even at today's prices, wouldn't cost much more than $100.00 to pull together. What's important to note is that this single "base" can be used in dozens of ways; it's a kind of "TT" for big stage magic you might say.

If you didn't catch on, this piece is featured in the Tarbell Course if you care to research it and put one (or a few) together. Understand, the principle can be applied to different table designs and dose not have to be triangular. One of Blackstone Sr.'s more famous illusions used this principle and you will also find it in one of Burton's more popular routines (I'll let you figure out which)