Title: Sefalaljia Revisited
Description: Spirit Cabinet with a sense of humor
Description: Spirit Cabinet with a sense of humor
Spellbinder - August 23, 2006 09:25 AM (GMT)
In the 1930's Stewart James put together a new type of Spirit Cabinet with some original humorous effects. He named it Sefalaljia and in 1939, it was written up in The Jinx.
The latest issue (#10) of The Wizards' Journal revisits Stewart James' Sefalaljia and shows how it can be constructed today from a Dollar Store plastic crate, opening it up to new uses and routines at the same time. Jim Gerrish and I both contributed sections from our different routines for it. I added the magical history lessons along with it, and Jim photographed himself making it in his backyard workshop to show how easy it is to put together.The blurb describing it on my site is rather brief, but here is a list of all the routines in our ten minute Sefalaljia Revised Act:
The Ball in the Glass*
The Knotted Silk*
Three Knots in a Rope
The Rope, Safety-Pin and Finger Ring* < the most famous use for the Sefalaljia today
The Ghost Drinks Milk*
2" Brass Ring on Rope
Red and White Linking Ropes (similar to the Dean's Box routine as invented by Elizabeth Warlock, but with a gimickless variation)
Red and White Linking Ropes (based on Paul Curry's Linked, but on a smaller scale)
The Shrinking Rope
Bell, Book and Candle
The items marked with an asterisk (*) are from Stewart James' original Sefalaljia routine. The only James' effect we do not use is the Smoking Cigar, substiututing a self-lighting candle effect in "Bell,Book and Candle" instead.
Now I am working on getting either Jim or one of the Wiz Kids to perform the entire routine for a DVD.
The latest issue (#10) of The Wizards' Journal revisits Stewart James' Sefalaljia and shows how it can be constructed today from a Dollar Store plastic crate, opening it up to new uses and routines at the same time. Jim Gerrish and I both contributed sections from our different routines for it. I added the magical history lessons along with it, and Jim photographed himself making it in his backyard workshop to show how easy it is to put together.The blurb describing it on my site is rather brief, but here is a list of all the routines in our ten minute Sefalaljia Revised Act:
The Ball in the Glass*
The Knotted Silk*
Three Knots in a Rope
The Rope, Safety-Pin and Finger Ring* < the most famous use for the Sefalaljia today
The Ghost Drinks Milk*
2" Brass Ring on Rope
Red and White Linking Ropes (similar to the Dean's Box routine as invented by Elizabeth Warlock, but with a gimickless variation)
Red and White Linking Ropes (based on Paul Curry's Linked, but on a smaller scale)
The Shrinking Rope
Bell, Book and Candle
The items marked with an asterisk (*) are from Stewart James' original Sefalaljia routine. The only James' effect we do not use is the Smoking Cigar, substiututing a self-lighting candle effect in "Bell,Book and Candle" instead.
Now I am working on getting either Jim or one of the Wiz Kids to perform the entire routine for a DVD.
Adlan - August 23, 2006 02:06 PM (GMT)
the spirit cabinet is one of my favorite illusions.
Although my version is wayy toned-down, and presented with a mentalism feel to it.
Although my version is wayy toned-down, and presented with a mentalism feel to it.
Spellbinder - August 23, 2006 03:23 PM (GMT)
True, the Spirit Cabinet is usually kind of spooky and serious, but for this little plastic crate, the poltergeist is a "young" spirit and very playful through most of the effects.
However, at the end of the routine, when you turn to witchcraft and go into "Bell, Book and Candle," we show how you can raise goosebumps on the necks and arms of your audience, and you end by revealing a secretly chosen Tarot card and a quick fortune reading to go along with it. The routine has something for everyone!
However, at the end of the routine, when you turn to witchcraft and go into "Bell, Book and Candle," we show how you can raise goosebumps on the necks and arms of your audience, and you end by revealing a secretly chosen Tarot card and a quick fortune reading to go along with it. The routine has something for everyone!
simonskp - March 20, 2007 09:25 AM (GMT)
hi there,
I have never seen this tricks before .. hope you will compile the tricks and show it to us...
thanks
I have never seen this tricks before .. hope you will compile the tricks and show it to us...
thanks