Matt Johnson’s Terrifying Water-Tank Escape Leaves Penn & Teller Holding Their Breath

 Escape artist Matt Johnson brought genuine danger to the Penn & Teller: Fool Us stage with a suspenseful underwater challenge inspired by Harry Houdini’s legendary Water Torture Cell.

Johnson’s performance originally appeared during Season 4 of Fool Us and was recently shared again by The CW, giving a new audience the opportunity to experience the nerve-racking escape.

Before entering the tank, Johnson explained that he would attempt to free himself from handcuffs and a lock secured around his neck while holding his breath. However, one final padlock presented an even greater challenge: it could only be opened by a single key hidden among 20 nearly identical keys.

Host Alyson Hannigan helped verify the conditions by testing several keys that did not open the lock. The one working key was then mixed with all the others before the entire collection was placed inside the water tank.

Once Johnson was shackled and the lid was locked, the escape began.

With the audience watching through the transparent tank, Johnson worked underwater to release his restraints before searching through the collection of keys. The longer the escape continued, the more uncomfortable the atmosphere became. Every passing second served as a reminder that, regardless of the method behind the locks, Johnson was genuinely holding his breath.

The performance also carried a deeply personal meaning. Johnson dedicated the escape to his brother, Jonathan, whose medical condition causes seizures and periods when he cannot breathe. Johnson explained that thinking about his brother’s courage gives him the strength to continue when his lungs begin burning and his body is demanding oxygen.

Johnson eventually located the correct key, opened the final lock and climbed safely from the tank as the audience erupted in applause.

Penn Jillette praised both the construction of the performance and the reality behind its danger. He emphasized that Johnson was truly underwater, genuinely holding his breath and working inside a legitimate locked box. Penn also complimented the way Johnson transformed a familiar “one key among many” premise into something far more dramatic by making the stakes his own freedom.

Although Johnson did not fool Penn and Teller, the duo clearly respected the skill, training and nerve required to present such an escape successfully. After Penn asked whether the keys inside the tank could be examined, Johnson jokingly admitted that he would rather they were not—effectively confirming that the legendary team had uncovered the secret.

The performance is an excellent reminder that an appearance on Fool Us is not defined solely by winning the trophy. Johnson created a memorable piece of television by combining magic, escapology, real physical endurance and a powerful personal story.

Sometimes the greatest accomplishment is not fooling Penn and Teller—it is making them, and everyone watching, hold their breath along with you.

New Max Maven Portrait Earns Praise From His Estate

 

 

 A new fine-art portrait honoring legendary magician and mentalist Max Maven has joined the Jay Fortune Conjuring Archive.

Created by British fine artist Jay Fortune, the estate-authorized portrait took more than a year to complete, with painting sessions taking place from 2025 through the summer of 2026.

The finished work was made available to collectors on September 18 following a private viewing for members of the archive’s Collector Circle.

The Estate of Max Maven has warmly endorsed the portrait, describing it as “magnificent” and saying that it “really captures Max.”

That is no small compliment when the subject is a performer with such a distinctive appearance and personality.

Max Maven, who died in 2022, was one of the most recognizable and influential figures in modern mentalism. His commanding presence, sharply defined visual style and intelligent approach to mystery helped distinguish him from generations of other performers.

Fortune’s portrait attempts to capture more than Maven’s physical likeness. The artist created the work with an ethereal quality intended to reflect Maven’s mysterious and almost otherworldly stage presence. Its surrounding textures blur the boundary between the subject and the atmosphere, echoing the themes of perception, imagination and uncertainty that Maven explored throughout his career.

The portrait is available in two editions. A 22-by-22-inch hand-embellished edition is limited to only 15 copies worldwide. Each is individually worked, signed and numbered by Fortune and includes a certificate of authenticity. At the time of publication, the artist’s website reported that 12 of the 15 had already been placed with collectors.

A smaller 12-by-12-inch edition, limited to 250 copies, is also available.

The portrait is part of the ongoing Jay Fortune Conjuring Archive, a collection of fine art created to document the people, personalities and history of modern magic. Previous works have helped demonstrate how portraiture can preserve something that photographs and written biographies do not always capture—the feeling of encountering a legendary performer.

Max Maven spent his career using mystery as his artistic medium. This new portrait offers another way for that mystery, influence and unmistakable presence to be remembered by future generations of magicians and collectors.

Did You Know? René Lavand Turned One-Handed Card Magic Into an Art Form

 On September 24, 1928, one of close-up magic’s most distinctive and influential performers was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

René Lavand became internationally known for creating beautiful card magic with only his left hand. However, it was not simply his remarkable technique that made him unforgettable. Lavand combined carefully chosen words, dramatic pauses and deliberate movements to transform card tricks into miniature theatrical experiences.

At the age of nine, Lavand lost his right hand in a car accident. Because nearly every magic book and established technique had been written for performers using two hands, he could not simply copy the methods of other magicians. Instead, he taught himself and developed original techniques that worked specifically for him.

That limitation ultimately helped create a style unlike anyone else’s.

Lavand referred to his approach as “lentidigitation,” or sleight of hand performed slowly. While many magicians use speed to disguise a secret move, Lavand appeared to do the opposite. He performed with such patience and clarity that audiences felt they could see everything—and yet the magic still happened.

His most famous phrase, “It can’t be done any slower,” perfectly captured that philosophy.

Before becoming a professional magician, Lavand worked as a bank cashier. His career began gaining momentum when he appeared at Buenos Aires’ Tabarís Theatre at the age of 32. He eventually toured internationally, performed at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and appeared on television programs hosted by Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson.

Among his best-known presentations were his versions of “Oil and Water,” “Cutting the Aces,” “Old Man River” and “The Three Breadcrumbs.” Each routine demonstrated that his real gift went far beyond technical skill. Lavand used cards, words, poetry and symbolism to create an emotional connection with his audience.

René Lavand died in 2015 at the age of 86, but his influence remains strong. Magicians continue to study not only his methods, but also his ability to slow down, hold an audience’s attention and add beauty to a moment of astonishment.

Today marks 98 years since his birth and offers the perfect opportunity to remember a performer who proved that unforgettable magic is not always about doing more. Sometimes, it is about doing something so carefully and beautifully that—as Lavand famously reminded us—it cannot be done any slower.

Bricked by Drew Perry

 Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

Introducing "Bricked" by Drew Perry - Where Magic Meets Lego®! Get ready for something truly mesmerizing! "Bricked" is a one-of-a-kind project featuring a custom-designed deck of cards that looks like it's straight from the Lego® store. This deck isn't just visually stunning-it's packed with gaffs, special features, and surprises that will blow your audience away! But here's where it gets even better: included in this magical package is a jaw-dropping Omni-style deck made entirely from bricks. Imagine finishing your routine with a finale that leaves your spectators speechless-this brick deck is the perfect match for your special cards! In the tutorial, Drew Perry teams up with the legendary Craig Petty for an in-depth, fun-filled session. Together, they unlock a treasure trove of routines from Drew, Craig, and Peter Nardi. "Bricked" is more than a magic trick-it's a captivating experience, perfect for both kids and adults alike. Whether you're performing for a family crowd or wowing a room full of adults, this project is versatile, unforgettable, and full of fun!

Lennart Green Turns Chaos Into Impossible Card Magic on The Paul Daniels Magic Show

 Most card magicians work hard to make every movement appear smooth, elegant and perfectly controlled. Lennart Green took an entirely different approach.

In this classic footage from a 1993 episode of The Paul Daniels Magic Show, the Swedish card magician presents a performance that appears unpredictable, disorderly and occasionally on the verge of disaster. However, underneath that carefully constructed chaos is the work of one of the most original card magicians of his generation.

Green begins by telling Paul Daniels and the audience that he will not be performing ordinary card tricks. Instead, he claims that he will reveal the moves used by card sharks—and even explain how people can beat the dangerous card cheats of Las Vegas.

It is a wonderfully entertaining premise that immediately gives the performance a purpose beyond simply finding a selected card.

Green removes his jacket and watch, apparently eliminating the places where he might conceal anything. He then begins handling the deck in his unmistakable style. Cards are cut, mixed, shot through the air and handled with movements that appear far less polished than those normally associated with expert sleight of hand.

That appearance is completely deceptive.

After someone in the audience names the Queen of Hearts, Green demonstrates several increasingly impossible ways of locating and controlling it. Cards fly from one hand to the other, the selected card appears exactly where it is needed, and every apparent mistake seems to lead directly into another magical moment.

The routine eventually builds to a demonstration of dealing a card from the center of the deck. A die is used to determine a number, and the Queen of Hearts arrives at precisely the selected position.

Green even offers to explain the move in slow motion. Like many of the best “explanations” in magic, however, the demonstration only makes the mystery deeper. The audience is allowed to see more, but somehow understands even less.

That contrast is what makes Lennart Green such a fascinating performer.

Where another magician might emphasize elegance and flawless technique, Green creates the character of someone who appears to be fighting for control of the cards. His slightly rumpled appearance, conversational humor and seemingly improvised movements encourage the audience to underestimate him.

The cards may appear to have minds of their own, but Green always knows exactly where the performance is heading.

By the time this appearance was recorded, Green had already established himself as one of the world’s leading card magicians. In 1991, he won the card-magic competition at the FISM World Championship of Magic in Lausanne, Switzerland. His unusual techniques and deliberately chaotic performance style would go on to influence generations of close-up magicians.

Green later introduced his work to an even wider audience through television specials, international lectures and a popular TED performance. His routines continue to stand apart because they don’t resemble traditional card manipulation. Instead of hiding the disorder, he transforms it into a powerful form of misdirection.

This appearance on The Paul Daniels Magic Show is a wonderful example of a performer with a completely defined character. The comedy, movement and apparent confusion are not distractions added to the magic—they are essential parts of the deception.

The next time you watch the video, pay attention to the contrast between what Green wants the audience to believe and the extraordinary control required to create that impression.

It may look like chaos, but in Lennart Green’s hands, every card is exactly where it needs to be.

Penn & Teller Honor Johnny Thompson by Reviving The Great Tomsoni & Company

 Some magic performances are more than entertaining routines. They are living pieces of history.

During a memorable episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Penn and Teller honored legendary magician Johnny Thompson by bringing his classic act, The Great Tomsoni & Company, back to the stage.

Before the performance, host Alyson Hannigan introduced Thompson as Penn and Teller’s hero and the mysterious judge responsible for determining whether contestants on the show had truly fooled the famous duo. Although Thompson had retired the act years earlier, the Fool Us stage gave audiences another opportunity to experience the character, comedy and beautiful magic that made it so influential.

For this recreation, Teller steps into the role of The Great Tomsoni, while Georgie Bernasek portrays the wonderfully unimpressed assistant character originally performed by Thompson’s wife and longtime performing partner, Pamela Hayes.

The act combines polished bird magic with carefully constructed physical comedy. Tomsoni attempts to appear elegant, confident and completely in control, but the small details continually betray him. His assistant appears less than impressed by his grand personality, creating an ongoing comic conflict without either performer needing to say a word.

That combination of character, story and technical skill separated The Great Tomsoni & Company from many traditional manipulation acts. The audience isn’t simply watching a magician produce birds and perform visual miracles. They are watching two distinct characters whose relationship becomes part of every magical moment.

Teller was an ideal performer to help preserve the routine. His own career has demonstrated how much personality, emotion and humor can be communicated through movement alone. Rather than treating the act as a parody, the performance captures the timing, elegance and wonderfully controlled chaos of Thompson’s original presentation.

Johnny Thompson’s influence extended far beyond his own appearances onstage. He developed material and provided guidance for performers including Penn & Teller, Siegfried & Roy, Doug Henning, Lance Burton, David Blaine and The Amazing Jonathan. He also played an essential behind-the-scenes role on Fool Us, helping performers present their magic as effectively as possible and making the final determination when Penn and Teller disagreed about a method.

Thompson died in 2019 at the age of 84, but his influence remains deeply woven into modern magic. Many audiences have enjoyed his ideas without realizing that he was the creative mind helping shape what they were watching.

This performance serves as both an entertaining piece of television and an important reminder of how magical legacies are preserved. Books and recordings can document a routine, but there is something especially powerful about respected performers bringing that material back before a live audience.

By presenting The Great Tomsoni & Company on Fool Us, Penn and Teller allowed a new generation to discover Johnny Thompson’s combination of beautiful magic, memorable characters and impeccable comic timing.

Watch the performance and enjoy a masterful tribute to one of magic’s most respected creators, performers and teachers.

Magic Video Spotlight: Jonathan Pendragon’s Motorcycle Escape

 When most magicians hear the name Jonathan Pendragon, they immediately think of spectacular stage illusions, lightning-fast Metamorphosis performances and the legendary partnership of The Pendragons.

But Jonathan Pendragon’s career has also included something considerably more dangerous: escapes and stunt magic.

For today's Magic Video Spotlight, we're looking back at Jonathan Pendragon's Motorcycle Escape, a performance that combines escapology with the very real danger of a moving motorcycle.

More Than a Grand Illusionist

Jonathan Pendragon has long been known for bringing an unusually physical approach to magic. The Pendragons became internationally recognized for large-scale illusions that relied heavily on athleticism, timing and choreography rather than simply hiding the mechanics behind elaborate apparatus.

That physical approach extended into Jonathan's work as an escape artist.

Pendragon has spoken about the toll that years of escapes and grand illusion have taken on his body, including lasting muscle damage. In discussing the physical nature of his work, he has described the performer's body itself as effectively becoming part of the method.

That philosophy helps explain why performances like his motorcycle escape feel different from a traditional stage illusion.

There is an element of magic, but there is also the unmistakable presence of physical danger.

Motorcycles and Magic

Motorcycles have a surprisingly long history as props in spectacular magic and escape performances.

For Pendragon, motorcycles also intersect with his history as a stunt performer. Before becoming internationally famous as one half of The Pendragons, Jonathan performed stunt work, including motorcycle-related stunt work in film.

The motorcycle escape therefore combines several parts of his performing background: illusion, escapology, stunt work and theatrical danger.

It is exactly the type of performance where the audience understands the premise almost immediately. You don't need to know anything about magic to recognize what could happen if the escape doesn't go according to plan.

That simplicity can make danger magic incredibly effective.

Pendragon Continued Pushing Into Dangerous Escapes

Jonathan didn't leave dangerous escapes behind as his career progressed.

He later appeared in the television series Extreme Escapes, alongside performers including David Merlini, Murray SawChuck, Franz Harary and Michael Griffin. One of Pendragon's featured challenges involved attempting the bullet catch, one of magic's most notorious feats.

Other televised Pendragon challenges have involved water, restraints and physically demanding endurance tests. Listings for the later Street Magic series include Pendragon attempting a chained water-torture escape as well as another challenge testing his physical endurance.

It's a side of Jonathan Pendragon that audiences familiar primarily with The Pendragons' elegant stage illusions may not have seen as often.

A Different Kind of Magic Performance

One reason escapes continue to fascinate audiences is that they blur the line between illusion and stunt.

With a traditional illusion, audiences know that what they appear to be seeing cannot actually be happening.

With an escape, the question becomes different:

Can the performer get out in time?

Jonathan Pendragon's Motorcycle Escape takes advantage of that distinction. The motorcycle adds speed, movement and an immediately recognizable threat, turning the escape into a race against time.

It's also another reminder of just how varied Pendragon's career has been.

From performing some of the world's most famous grand illusions with Charlotte Pendragon to dangerous escapes and stunt-driven television performances, Jonathan Pendragon has spent decades exploring the more physical side of the magical arts.

And this vintage performance is a fascinating example of that work.