A century of sawing people in half

The most important news of the week is that magicians are today celebrating the 100th anniversary of a woman being sawn in half on stage. We could all probably do with a bit of magic in our lives at the moment, so let’s wave the wand with a quick “abracadabra” and take a magical mystery tour.

The gentleman initially responsible for this still captivating illusion was Englishman Percy Thomas Tibbles. Under his stage name PT Selbit, on Jan 17, 1921 he appeared to saw his assistant, Betty Barker, in half in a wooden box at the Finsbury Park Empire in London.

It proved a great hit with audiences and became a turning point in the world of magic. From that time on, no self-respecting magician took to the stage without some kind of saw and a slinky assistant.

One memorable occasion concerning this particular trick came in 1956 when Indian magician PC Sorcar appeared live…