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Great escape act outdoes Houdini
NINETY-SIX years ago celebrated escapologist and magician Harry Houdini attempted to escape from a milk churn filled with Tetley's bitter on a Leeds stage.
Padlocked inside, the teetotal Houdini was overcome by carbon dioxide fumes and had it not been for his assistants would have drowned. He was only partly conscious when hauled from the water at the Empire Theatre, Briggate.
Yesterday, illusionist and escapologist Paul Cheesbrough, 37, from Todmorden, tried the same feat.
Unlike Houdini, Mr Cheesbrough successfully completed the challenge by successfully escaping from a liquid-filled milk churn.
There was one change; Mr Cheesbrough's milk churn was not filled with ale; it was filled with cold water.
He attempted his escape in an upstairs room of the Queens Arms pub in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.
The audience gathered and a curtain was pulled back to reveal a metal milk churn.
Wearing a wetsuit Mr Cheesbrough stepped inside the galvanised steel container partly filled with water.
He said: "When I am inside crouched down it's quite tight, there's no chance to move around.
"Once inside it takes about one-and-a-half minutes to get out – if all goes to plan. I have to crouch in the foetal position underwater. Once I'm inside the water comes over my head and there's no air inside."
Prior to attempting the stunt Mr Cheesbrough's hands were bound in a metal chain and fastened with a padlock.
A lid was then placed on the churn and the container was padlocked from the outside.
Once inside, the curtains went back and music was played. Ninety seconds later Mr Cheesbrough emerged successful from behind the curtain.
Afterwards Mr Cheesbrough, of Phoenix Illusions, which puts on shows around the country simply said: "I am out of breath now."
Houdini was asked to attempt his escape in 1911, at the Empire Theatre, in Briggate, Leeds, at the request of Joshua Tetley & Son. Yesterday Mr Cheesbrough carried out the challenge set by the Leeds Magical Association, during its 10th annual day of magic, which saw performances and lectures and a chance to meet fellow enthusiasts.
Mr Cheesbrough said: "Houdini was challenged by Tetley's brewery and I
have been challenged to do this by the Magical Association.
"I start training weeks before I perform. I have been practising lying in the bath holding my breath."
Mr Cheesbrough has successfully done the escape a handful of times before; he likes performing it because there is an element of risk, but says he does everything possible to reduce the
danger.
He added: "I try to look at what could go wrong. There is always that element of danger and risk, that is why I like it, but I prepare and plan for any problems."
He only attempts the challenge once or twice a year, because it is so physically demanding.
There was both amazement and puzzlement at how he had managed to pull off the trick.
But all Mr Cheesbrough would say was that an ability to hold your breath for a long time was a definite advantage.
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