17. Houdini’s Set and Prop List, Part 2
The bulk of Houdini’s prop list consists of demands for specific items for his act. It asks for a staircase to allow audience members to approach the stage, eighteen chairs, two tables, and a strong batten for flying his water carpet to dry it out after the performance. Interestingly, it also requires precise measurements of lumber. It asks for two 20′ pieces and two 16′ pieces, both of which must be 4″ by 2″. If such pieces are required every night, it’s curious that Houdini’s tour group didn’t just bring them themselves. Perhaps they were destroyed during the performance.
By far the most intriguing item on the list is the 100 gallons of boiling water requested. It even goes on to specify that the water must be boiling. It further stipulates that four brass tubes that they will supply will hold that water during the performance, but that staffers of the theater must fill them.
When one considers the difficulty and danger inherent in Houdini’s various feats, it’s actually quite surprising that he trusted each venue with so many of the preparations. The idea of letting a stranger prepare 100 gallons of boiling water for anything to do with my person is quite terrifying. Houdini must have been very confident in his abilities!