Escapology — the magic art of escape.

In this article...

1. Wait, wait... What is Escapology?
2. Where's the magic in escapology?
3. Surprise! — a problem.
4. What makes Houdini so special?

Wait, wait... What is Escapology?

Before delving into the history of escapology, let's make sure everyone is up to speed, with a quick look at what exactly escapology entails. As the name suggests, escapology is the art of escaping. Pretty simple, hey? But escaping from what? Straightjackets, handcuffs, leg irons, ropes, chains, and prison cells are all among the more popular restraints. But many escape artists are in constant pursuit of more unique and difficult restraints to set them apart from the rest. Escapes from inside locked money bags; an underwater plutonium storage device from the US Navy; and some of the most secure prison's in the world have been just some ways to set yourself apart. Quite often different restraints are combined to increase the difficulty and drama of the escape. Many of the more spectacular escape routines also incorporate elements of danger, such as underwater escapes, to add even more excitement to the performance.

Where's the magic in escapology?

As with other types of magic, much of the intrigue in escapology is the question "How did they do that?" Therefore, just with all magic it is paramount that the artist's secrets not be revealed. Many of the older escape artists used screens or other objects to prevent the audience from catching sight of the escape method. As audiences have become more discerning and demanding there has been more pressure on escape artists to perform their escapes in complete view. An audience is no longer willing to sit patiently while the performer, hidden behind a screen does his magic. They need to see the action to believe it. But how does one perform an escape in full view of an audience without giving it all away? Easy! ...well, perhaps not easy, but we can at least look to more traditional magic for a solution... that beloved MISDIRECTION!

Surprise! — a problem.

The escape artist does have to face one big problem that does not present itself to other types of magicians however. One of the most important elements in magic is surprise. Show the same audience a trick twice and all the surprise is gone, they'll know what to expect and will be looking for the "secret". In escapology the punch line is obvious as soon as the performer is restrained. The audience knows that the performer will escape. Why else would s/he be restrained in the first place?

So, how can the performer keep the audience intrigued? What might make the expected exciting? One great way to keep an audience intrigued is to open the floor to challenges. Providing the audience with the opportunity to create their own combination of restraints, or to bring in their own restraining devices adds a spontaneity and realness to a performance. Of course, one of the golden rules of escape performances is: never attempt to perform an escape that you aren't certain to achieve.

Another of the golden rules of escape performances also comes to the rescue when trying to keep an audience enthralled: always make an escape look difficult, even if it isn't. Cast some doubt in the audience's mind. Let them think for a moment that you might not escape. This is where that element of danger that came up before can become so useful. When the audience is given that opportunity to believe you might not escape and there's some threat to the wellbeing of the performer in the case that they don't succeed, tension and excitement are sure to build.

And this is probably the best point at which to swing back around from our detour and look back on one of our original questions: Why is Houdini the name that springs to mind.

What makes Houdini so special?

Houdini understood that escapes were all about showmanship. Audiences would flock to see Houdini's performances, and despite the spectacular escapes he would perform, the real attraction was his persona and his presentation. Houdini experimented a great deal to find the best way to perform each stunt. On stage he was a consummate performer with charisma and flare. It was this showmanship that made him such a long lasting celebrity. Remember, he was performing before radio and television, which makes his infamy all the more remarkable.