Straitjackets and Gospel: Illusionist uses magic to promote Christianity

Christian illusionist Brock Gill dazzled students Wednesday night at the IU Auditorium by mixing illusion with spirituality.

“The show we have planned for you tonight is a little out of the ordinary, a little different than what you’re used to,” Gill said. “I hope that’s OK, Indiana.”

Gill performed for more than two hours in front of an auditorium packed on the lower level. He brought audience members up to the stage to help him with his illusions, also mixing in humor and a discussion about spirituality.

The first half of Gill’s set featured card tricks and illusions such as bending spoons. Gill also had audience members strap him into a straitjacket and wrestle himself free while standing on 100 pounds of broken glass.

Gill admitted all of his tricks were illusions and had nothing to do with the supernatural. He even jokingly mocked himself, pretending to make ping-pong balls disappear while jamming them into his mouth.

Before the 10-minute intermission, Gill advised the audience that the second half of his show would be more intense.

“If you’re the kind of person who’s offended easily, or who’s narrow-minded, don’t come back,” Gill said.

But the lower level was still full after the break.

During the second half of the show, Gill performed more serious illusions. First, he had audience members hold up a giant sheet while he spray-painted his predictions of a volunteer’s answers to a series of questions.

The room grew quiet when Gill announced he would catch a bullet between his teeth. He had two audience members write their names on a bullet, and then he had his assistant fire the bullet toward him while he held a tray and a glass filled with water.

The force of the bullet shattered the glass and sent Gill flying backward, but when he stood, he triumphantly held the same bullet between his teeth.

After a round of deafening applause, Gill told the audience that the reason he performed magic shows was to show others the hope he had found in his life.

He explained his personal journey toward Jesus, which he said led him from emptiness to a more fulfilling life. 

Sophomore Erin Boen, a CRU member, said she enjoyed the religious aspect of the show.

“It’s neat to see someone expressing their faith as open as this,” she said. “It’s so encouraging.”

Gill closed out the show by riding a motorcycle around the stage while blindfolded. He went to the lobby after the show to meet audience members and answer questions.

A varied audience of CRU members and students interested in seeing a free magic show left the event with mostly positive reviews.

Sophomore Kristen Antony, a CRU member, said she appreciated that Gill brought a diverse crowd to the auditorium.

“It was so cool how he mixed his illusions with a message,” Antony said.

Freshman Laimarie Alas said she attended the show because her resident assistant promoted it on her floor, and she was curious to see what it was about.

Members of CRU said they were happy overall with Gill’s performance.

Event organizer and junior Matt Eskew said he thought the turnout was huge and the stunts were amazing. CRU organizers had requested Gill perform certain illusions, but they didn’t know until the day of the show what would happen.

Senior TJ Wallace, another event organizer, came up on stage with Gill at the end of the event and told the audience about CRU. He was excited that Gill opened up a discussion of religion that could last past the show.

“Our belief was explained very clearly,” Wallace said, “and Gill offered something truly life-changing.”