the princess but the deception.
At the 1987 Abbott Magic Get-together, Franz Harary added a wonderful touch by having the subject hold his hands up in the head portion of the cabinet. They did not hide anything; rather, they connected - theatrically - the head and the rest of the anatomy.
Henning featured the illusion when he was in Milwaukee last New Year's Eve (1986) and, although well executed, from our third row seat the required gimmick was horribly unrealistic. Friends who were seated further back did not notice this problem, but we heard lots of folks mumbling about its patently fake appearance.
The illusion lends itself well to a slower presentation. In its Egyptian design there is room for some narrative. Is it an antiquated torture? Is it some sort of test of endurance? Or, perhaps, part of a ritual as the princess becomes a queen. Penn and Teller would probably make it a form of birth control since the middle vanishes (no need for a chastity belt when all the good parts are gone!). On second thought, you'd never see Penn and Teller do this.
This illusion really looks like a magician's prop. I know many would eliminate it just for that reason, but I think that the public enjoys some of that complicated machinery that appears so exotic. A newspaper tear is great because we all have newspapers but the curtain parting on an elegant stage setting with this illusion is impressive.
Costuming is important. I think the effect requires a very, very short skirt. Nothing longer than the 1970's (and 1980's) "hot pants" will work well. That's because you want the legs clearly visible and you don't want any fabric in view to give away the illusion as you hinge the back away from the prop.
As most of you will realize, this is one prop that even the finest illusion builders
