Sawing a Person in Half
Category: Stage Illusions · Difficulty: 5/5
The most famous illusion in stage magic. An assistant is sawn in half on stage — and walks away unharmed.
You'll Need This to Perform the Trick
Modular Sawing-in-Half Stage Box (Goldin model) — A traditional steel-and-wood sawing-in-half stage box, knockdown construction, ships in two crates. Lifetime touring prop.
Step-by-Step Performance Guide
- 1. The Box Is Opened — Wheel a long wooden box on stage. Show it empty inside, top, bottom and sides.
- 2. Assistant Inside — An assistant climbs in. Her head sticks out one end, her feet from the other. She wiggles to prove she's all there.
- 3. The Saw — Wield a buzzsaw or hand-saw. Cut clean through the center of the box. Sound effects, smoke, dramatic music.
- 4. Separate and Restore — Pull the two halves of the box apart on wheels. Show the divided segments. Push them back together. Open the box. The assistant climbs out, fully intact, smiling.
The Secret Behind the Trick
- 1. Two Assistants — Most modern versions use *two* assistants. One curls up tight in the upper half, head sticking out. The second hides in the box and slips her feet through the false bottom.
- 2. The Compartment — The box is gimmicked with a hidden compartment. The 'sawn' edge has a false interior wall that hides the assistant from the saw blade entirely.
- 3. The Wheels — When the two halves are pulled apart on wheels, each half rolls just far enough that the audience cannot see the cut edges directly. The 'gap' is sold by patter and lighting.
- 4. Modern Variations — Modern versions include the Mismade Lady and the Clearly Impossible — versions where the box is transparent. These require even more sophisticated mechanics. Read 'Greater Magic' (Hilliard) for the full history.
Tags: sawing in half, stage illusion, P.T. Selbit, classic magic