Quick-change

Quick-change is a performance style in which a performer or magician changes quickly within seconds from one costume into another costume in front of the audience.

Modern Quick-Change Artists

There are few internationally acclaimed quick-change artists, all of whom use different styles and techniques.

"The Living Cartoon"

One of the most unusual quick-change artists is the Venetian Ennio Marchetto, who uses only cardboard and paper for his costumes and wigs and can change into over 50 characters in one hour. Also called "The Living Cartoon", Ennio has enjoyed worldwide success since his first appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1989. He has been nominated in New York for a Drama Desk Award, and in London for a Laurence Olivier award. His bi-dimensional cardboard costumes fold like origami. He has over 300 characters in his repertoire, from works of art like the Mona Lisa to modern pop stars like Eminem and Shakira.

Arturo Brachetti

One of the classic exponents of quick-change artistry is the Italian actor and performer Arturo Brachetti. Guinness World Records of 2006 lists him as the fastest in the world. In 2000 he was awarded the Prix Molière, the highest accolade in French theatre, for "The Man with 1000 Faces," where he performs 80 different characters in a two-hour show. The show sold out in Paris for several months in 3 seasons in the Theatre Mogador, which holds 1800-seat from April 2000 to January 2005. Brachetti has created and performed about 20 different acts for television and about 10 plays, produced by the National Theatre of Italy. His wardrobe consists of more than 350 costumes. His performances involve often a series of characters, played consecutively one after the other, or in spoken sketches in which he plays all the roles interacting with each other. His performances are not just of tricks or technical skills. They are well researched and are filled with many cultural, historic, and artistic references.. [ [http://www.brachetti.com Arturo Brachetti Website] ] The festival "Juste Pour rire" launched his career in North America.

udarchikovis

Another traditional style of quick change was the Muscovite duo "The Sudarchikovis", with a circus show they created in the 1969. In this act the partners would change costumes (color and shapes) several times covered by a sandwich screen, a piece of cloth, or a ring with ribbons. For the finale silver confetti was thrown by the man on his partner and her costume would change into a different white dress. They have 9 different costume changes.

David and Dania

Another popular quick-change duo is "David and Dania", who appeared on NBC's "America's Got Talent" [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=RB-wUgnyGv0 David and Diana on America's Got Talent] ] . They have 9 different costume changes: two tuxedos and 8 dresses. A circa 1994 performanceFact|date=November 2007 by the Russian duo, the Sudarchikovis Jrs., contains changes executed in strikingly similar manners to those of David and Dania, leaving open the possibility that portions of the Sudarchikovis's act may have been acquired by David and Dania.

os and Victoria Petrosyan

German/Armenian duo Sos & Victoria Petrosyan "The New Generation of Quick-Change Artists" are twice Quick Change Guinness World Record holders, changing into 16 costumes in 120 seconds (Germany) and 12 costumes just in 60 seconds (China). The Petrosyan's duo innovated a completely new style in the Quick Change Illusion genre. They began at 1991 in Moscow. All the tricks and transformation costumes used in their performances have been developed by Sos exclusively for their original act. [ [http://www.SosMagic.com Sos and Victoria Petrosyan Website.] ]

Keelan Leyser and Charlotte Marie

The first Quick Change Act from the UK, in 2007 they won the title of British Magical Grand Prix Champions and the British Magical Champions of General Magic at the Blackpool Magic convention, with their 8 minute Quick Change Dance Illusion Act.

Lex and Alina

Lex is a trickproducer and author of magic books, and Alina is a dancer. They work with 10 long dresses and overcoats (french haute couture). Alina is the only woman in the world to master the split second costume change whilst still bound (the world fastest escape illusion). [ [http://www.quick-change-show.com Lex and Alina Website.] ]

Changing August

Coming up in the line is August Loven, he lives in Holland.He does not only quick change but also illusions like the backstage illusion.Together with his friend he invents and makes the illusions.Last summer he hit the stage together with Hans Klok.

Nina and Nikolai

A Russian duo from Las Vegas who performed on the TV show 30 Seconds To Fame.

oul Mystique

This couple dazzeled an Australian audience when the duo appeared on Australia's Got Talent in 2007. They didn't win the competion, but are now a hit performing over 3 times a week. They lost the competition to a young female singer.

Dance Magic Show

A trio of Israelis (Daniel, Orit and Denis), Dance Magic Show is an original dynamic live act that combines Quick Change with dance and music. Their show includes 16 different costume changes. They appear regularly on Israel TV and perform in Europe and Russia as well. [ [http://www.dancemagicshow.com/video1.php Dance Magic Show Website.] ]

Vizage

An English duo, which appeared on Britain's Got Talent 2008. They dazzled the audience with their Quick-change act, but irritated the judges with their amateur singing rendition of Madonna's song, 'Material Girl'. They managed to get through to the Semi-Final.

References

[http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,308,334.PN.&OS=PN/6,308,334&RS=PN/6,308,334 Patent of one method to achieve this illusion]