I am thinking about buying an European Asrah from Douglass Tilford Magic. Is this a reliable illusion? Is it quiet? Does it look believeable?

What is that? I've never heard of it...

It is a type of levitation. See the website I added below.

Staff note: web site removed as non functional.

Vanished Zauberer,

I am sorrry, I gave you a wrong web address. Here is the right one. http://www.tilfordillusions.com/

I have seen it performed several times, and not once has it been believable to me. Others will disagree and say that it is a powerful illusion.

In general it's not a bad idea if you're working a venue where you can't rig a traditional Asrah. My suggestion would be to purchase a regular Asrah and the gimmick for the European. That way you're covered no matter what.

Before you make any move, you'll definitely want to see it performed, live or on video to make a decision for yourself.

M-Illusion,

Thank you very much. That is sound advice. Do you know where I can look for a traditional Asrah?

I agree with M-Illusion. I have seen this many times performed. I have even seen a well known magician perform this. All terrible...it's just so difficult to make it look good!

Owen makes the only good one.

Hey guy,

I have a friend that has one of these...and unless you have a black floor on the stage your going to expose this illusion. With out telling how it works I would save my money and get one that you can use elsewhere.

Robert

Hello,

Doug Tilford here. In regard to EUROPEAN ASRAH many people use an OWEN Couch or another couch but use our Form which they think is Superior. The form only weighs 2 - 3 pounds and folds down to 6 by 6 by 12 inches and opens up to up to around five feet five inches. Has 2 handles on back so you can remove one hand. Like a Zombie. At end of routine bring hands together with cloth over it and it folds flat again and drop to floor or hand to assistant

We have one in stock at $450 plus shipping

Photo and complete description found under STANDARD and/or ELITE Illusions.

http://www.tilfordillusions.com/

Thank u, Doug

There is a modern "traditional" Asrah for sale on Magicauction. It uses an all aluminum table that is 3 1/2" thick. It needs a few finishing touches to make it show ready, but at $550 it is an incredible deal. Check it out.

BYU DAD...for that price it might be more benificial to make your own. I have seen Asrahs that are GREAT quality and homemade.

Thanks all. Great advice.

Anyone had any dealings with the portable asrah?

I have several forms from differing manufacturers....one very important note that is often
overlooked is the cloth fabric that forms the exterior of the shape. This is the most important factor next to a quality form.

If the covering fabric is too heavy and your form is an inferior one the fasteners will fail eventually or your cross members can wilt thus, your form will sag at both the head and feet areas.

I constructed my own which are stronger in the key areas and it is now built to last and perform. I have also experimented with differing cloth fabric from the local bulk fabric store.

I have one that I only use for rehearsal but, it is identical in each and every way to the one I use in performance. With each collapse and open of the form it loses it's stiffness little by little. I want mine to remain as crisp as possible.

I never use any of them unless I am performing in a stage venue. I believe any further elaboration should be restricted to the secret sessions area?
rr

I have had European Asrah for a few years now. The only bad thing is that you can't vanish the form like the instruction saids. It just look to bad.

I use black art and have the helper lay on the floor. I start the float from the floor. I ditch the form using black art as cover as I toss the cloth forward to the stage. I then can produce the helper back by holding up the cloth and droping it. Since she is still on stage with me.

By using dancers, you can vanish the form in full light, with no gimmick to be seen.

I have a love hate relationship with the European Asrah. It could be better, but it does get the job done.

Ray

P.S. It takes a lot of practice to make this thing believable.

Hi BYUDAD

I was interested to see all the mixed comments about the European Asrah. I bought one of these forms and did not like, so I got rid of it. It did not seem very convincing to me and I was very very disappointed with my purchase.

However, Geoffrey Durham in the UK has a version of a portable Asrah form in his lecture notes that is very convincing and is far superior to the European Asrah form. Ask around and see if you can get a copy.

Regards

Scott

I have also never liked the folding forms. I own a standard asrah. I puchased the form from Chalet magic for $250 and only paid $25 to get it shipped to me. It is beautiful and works great. If you have other questions PM me.

If you are interested simply in the Asrah effect there are many ways easy to build.I built a special table top and leviate and vanish a violin. The violin plays 35 songs on its own. I use it in all my shows. Parsoni

Joe Stevens has a really nice European Asrah form http://www.stevemsmagic.com

The setup is simple, and the vanish is pretty easy.

We bought a European Asrah from Doug Tilford a couple of months ago and finally put it in the show.

We do a switch with Pat doing the vanish/float and a hooded/robed assistant rolling the couch off stage. A few seconds later, the "assistant" reappears with a large basket and I fold the cloth et al into the basket. The "assistant" then removes the hooded robe and it, of course, is Pat. Works great and we're glad to have it in the show. The only modifications we did was to lengthen the cloth a little for better angles while working on an elevated stage.

Rob