The Zig-Zag Girl illusion is a magic trick akin to the more famous sawing a woman in half illusion. In the Zig-Zag illusion, a magician divides his or her assistant into thirds, only to have the assistant emerge from the illusion at the end of the performance completely unharmed.
History
Since its invention in the mid 1960's by magician Robert Harbin it has been hailed as one of the greatest illusions ever invented due to both the apparent impossibility of the trick, and the fact that unlike many illusions it can be performed surrounded by spectators and withstand the close scrutiny of audience members.
Because of the manner in which the illusion is achieved, it is generally performed with a female assistant, and there are limitations on her height and weight. Some of these issues are overcome in Modern Art, an illusion created by Jim Steinmeyer.
Performance
The assistant (usually a woman) is placed in an upright cabinet, her face, hands, and left foot visible through openings in the cabinet's front. Large, metallic blades are inserted horizontally in the cabinet's mid-section, dividing it--and presumably the assistant inside--into thirds. The magician then slides the cabinet's mid-section apart from the cabinet's top and bottom thirds, giving the appearance that the assistant's mid-section has been pulled away from the rest of her, giving her a "zig-zag" shape. While divided, a small door on the cabinet's mid-section can be opened to examine--even touch--the assistant's body inside, a duty frequently performed by an audience member brought up on stage to help perform the illusion. At the completion of the illusion, the assistant's mid-section is slid back into place, the two blades removed, and she steps out of the cabinet unscathed.
People who have performed the Zig Zag Girl
This is a partial list. You can improve it by adding entries or details.
- Alessandro Ambrosio - zig zagged during a photo-shoot for a Mexican department store.
- Linda Barker - zig-zagged by Joe Labero on his TV special Magician Impossible.
- Cher - zig-zagged by Mark Wilson on her 1970s TV show.
- Jennifer Ellison - zig-zagged by Stephen Mulhern on Tricky TV.
- Jennifer Garner - zig-zagged during photoshoot at Teen Choice awards show.
- Ana Hickmann - zig-zagged by Mario Kamia on her TV show.
- Sophie Howard - zig-zagged by Alex Sim-Wise for a Front photoshoot.
- Lori Loughlin - zig-zagged by Dave Coulier on Full House.
- Lynx - one of her signature illusions is her being zig zagged naked.
- Katie Melua - zig-zagged by Scott Penrose on Children in Need.
- Marie Osmond - zig-zagged by Donny Osmond on The Donny & Marie Show.
- Melinda Saxe - noted for a routine using an undressed male assistant.
- Princess Tenko - often performs the illusion. Was zig-zagged by Elle MacPherson for a TV special.
- Twiggy - zig-zagged by Robert Harbin in an early performance of the illusion.
- Holly Willoughby - zig-zagged by Stephen Mulhern on Ministry of Mayhem.
- Alicia Witt - zig-zagged by unknown magician at charity event.