Magic and the myth

IN early November a rather unusual ceremony took place at the Machpelah cemetery in Brooklyn. Conjurors from around the globe gathered at the grave of a man called Ehrich Weiss and, following a memorial service, a magic wand was snapped in half.

While most yahrzeit’s are usually marked with the lighting of a candle, this one may seem a little odd. Why should the late Ehrich Weiss receive such special treatment? The answer is simple. Ehrich Weiss is better known as Harry Houdini.

The world’s most famous magician and escapologist passed away 84 years ago, on Halloween to be precise, lending an eerie significance to the annual seances held to communicate with him: if anyone could shake off the shackles of the spirit world, the man who broke free from chains, prisons and airtight water-chambers was surely the man to do it.

So far, though, Houdini hasn’t spoken from “the other side”. The grave, it seems, is the one container from which this son of a Hungarian rabbi can’t escape. Constrained by death the illusionist may be, but his legend is clearly very much alive.

And though a physical resurrection isn’t on the cards, a spiritual one is gaining considerable momentum. Halloween in New York was marked with the opening of a new exhibition dedicated to the master magician, while last week it was announced that some of Hollywood’s leading lights are joining forces to stage a Broadway musical based on the escapologist’s life.

Running at the Big Apple’s Jewish Museum until March 2011, Houdini: Art and Magic features 163 objects exploring the magician’s career and legacy. Among the pieces on display are historic photographs, art nouveau-era posters, theatre ephemera and archival films illuminating his transition from circus performer to world-famous celebrity.

The contemporary artworks, including video, sculptures and paintings, cite different aspects of the Houdini legend, including the fables about his sudden death. His demise has inspired many myths, among them that he was poisoned and that he faked his death. It is more likely, however, that he died of peritonitis after suffering a blow to the stomach by a student visiting his backstage dressing room.

Whatever the cause of his death, his life was inspirational. “For the thousands of spectators who looked skyward to witness his escapes, the performances may have seemed more important as a symbol than as a stunt,” said curator Brooke Kamin Rapaport. “Liberation from political, racial or religious oppression was an aspiration of many 19th century immigrants who had travelled to America seeking freedom from oppression.”

A hop, skip and a jump away from the museum, meanwhile, plans are afoot for another Houdini tribute. It was announced last week that screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) has teamed up with composer Danny Elfman (The Simpsons) to pen a musical about the magician.

Set to star Hugh Jackman (X-Men) Elfman told website Entertainment Weekly, “Hopefully [the show] will happen, but I know that there are so many things that need to still happen, and reasons why it may or may not. I just try to take an attitude of, ‘If it happens, great, and if it doesn’t, I’ll have learnt what it’s like working on a Broadway musical”.

ZEDDY LAWRENCE