Remembering Harry Houdini and his great escape

Magicians in Hull have held a series of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of legendary escapologist Harry Houdini.

The illusionist performed in the city a number of times, including escaping after jumping into the Humber from Victoria Pier while in handcuffs and chains in 1914.

Jon Marshall, from Hull Magicians' Circle, said 8,000 people turned up to witness the stunt, which was to publicise his performance at a local theatre.

Marshall said despite dying a century ago, Houdini was "still a household name".

"Houdini, of course, was such an incredible publicist that created this legend and he is world famous still," he told BBC Radio Humberside's Kofi Smiles.

"In 1914, he jumped into the river Humber, chained and manacled. He escaped, of course, to advertise his performances at the Palace Theatre.

"He appeared at the Palace Theatre six times, from 1903 right through to 1920."

To mark his death on Halloween in 1926, the circle held a family magic show in Hull Trinity Market, including an escapology demonstration by Victoria Pier, close to where Houdini performed in 1914.

Will Frow managed to escape from a 100ft rope quicker than the time it took two members of the public to bind him.

"They tied me up in a minute and 47 and I managed to scrape through a minute and 35, which was brilliant to hear that I managed to make a successful attempt within time", he said.

"The hardest bit of it was probably getting back up off the floor after I fell over."

Hull Magicians' Circle, which was founded in 1933, is also holding a talk for its members on Houdini's life and legacy.

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