My friend, Jim Gerrish, is jealous because he didn't think of
this first. Then he would have been able to put it in his PVC
pipe Illusion book, because it's true... it could easily be made
of PVC pipes and Dollar store plastic curtains, although my
original model is made of wood and canvas.
This was designed at a time before I adopted Wizard magic and
thought of myself as the next great Illusionist. But now I have
revived it and find it quite appropriate for a "Wizard/
Witch at the Beach" sketch, and it's quite funny with all of
us old doddering witches and wizards running in and out in our
1890's swimsuits.
The cabana is a tall slender cabinet made of wooden frames
covered with red and white striped canvas. It has two side doors
that swing out, as well as smaller back and front doors that also
swing out. It rolls in on casters, is revolved, and then I
(playing my old role of Illusionist), dressed in my full costume
Wizard robes, open front doors, step inside, open back doors,
step through to back, peek out from the left, peek out from the
right, step back inside and close back doors, open side door
left, open side door right, walk around to front and close front
doors, and then step into the cabana from the left. Immediately a
witch in an 1890's swimsuit exits out of the right side, comes
around to the front, opens both doors to show it empty, and then
she goes back into the left side. Now a wizard (not me) exits
from the right side. He goes back into the right side and another
witch (different from the first) exits out the left. The first
witch returns, exiting out the right, then the other wizard exits
through the front doors. All doors are closed and the witches and
wizards rotate the cabana. When they finish, the front doors open
and I exit, dressed in my 1890's swimsuit. It is all done very
fast, with calliope music playing "By the Sea" in the
background. Presentation optional... do your own thing!
