Posted by Ian on 2010-03-06
in Magicians
David Copperfield is undoubtedly the most successful magician in the history of magic - if you measure success on a financial scale. He still performs more shows than anybody else and rakes in the money at a mind-boggling magnitude.
In 2006 he bought a number of islands which, according to him, were at the intersection of Stonehenge, the Statutes of Easter Island, the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico and the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Whether it’s true or not, it makes a good story.
As can be expected with anything that Copperfield does, it’s not just a pleasure island. He hires out the islands at a mere $37,500 per day per person. Even so, I suspect that he still has to underwrite the upkeep of the island – which he does with his live shows. A fellow magician saw one recently in Las Vegas.
Copperfield’s Las Vegas show is one of the most expensive on the strip - $80 for a matinee and $100 for the evening show. Part of it includes video clips from some of his TV shows. The finale involves vanishing a number of members of the audience.
My magician friend was one of those who made his way up on stage when volunteers were requested. As he ascended, he was asked a stream of questions by Copperfield’s helpers. “Do you have any medical problems? “Can you run?” “Are you a magician?” “Are you from the Press?” Reply “yes” to any of those and you are swiftly weeded out.
On the stage floor are taped ‘ad-lib’ cues in large writing for Copperfield to make use of.
After the ‘stage vanish’ of those participating, they had to run around to make their unexpected appearance at the back of the theatre. So the question of their fitness was a relevant one.
They were informed afterwards that Copperfield would say thank you and present a signed photo. A couple of the participants were quite excited by this. They all stood backstage and a lofty chair was wheeled in. Copperfield climbed on it, informed them that the illusion had been three years in the making and therefore they shouldn’t tell anyone about it. There was no other communication with any of the helpers. He immediately left, leaving one or two of his fans clutching unsigned pieces of paper.
They were, though, all handed ‘pre-signed’ photographs by a member of Copperfield’s staff.
In 2006 he bought a number of islands which, according to him, were at the intersection of Stonehenge, the Statutes of Easter Island, the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico and the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Whether it’s true or not, it makes a good story.
As can be expected with anything that Copperfield does, it’s not just a pleasure island. He hires out the islands at a mere $37,500 per day per person. Even so, I suspect that he still has to underwrite the upkeep of the island – which he does with his live shows. A fellow magician saw one recently in Las Vegas.
Copperfield’s Las Vegas show is one of the most expensive on the strip - $80 for a matinee and $100 for the evening show. Part of it includes video clips from some of his TV shows. The finale involves vanishing a number of members of the audience.
My magician friend was one of those who made his way up on stage when volunteers were requested. As he ascended, he was asked a stream of questions by Copperfield’s helpers. “Do you have any medical problems? “Can you run?” “Are you a magician?” “Are you from the Press?” Reply “yes” to any of those and you are swiftly weeded out.
On the stage floor are taped ‘ad-lib’ cues in large writing for Copperfield to make use of.
After the ‘stage vanish’ of those participating, they had to run around to make their unexpected appearance at the back of the theatre. So the question of their fitness was a relevant one.
They were informed afterwards that Copperfield would say thank you and present a signed photo. A couple of the participants were quite excited by this. They all stood backstage and a lofty chair was wheeled in. Copperfield climbed on it, informed them that the illusion had been three years in the making and therefore they shouldn’t tell anyone about it. There was no other communication with any of the helpers. He immediately left, leaving one or two of his fans clutching unsigned pieces of paper.
They were, though, all handed ‘pre-signed’ photographs by a member of Copperfield’s staff.
