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Metamorphosis is the name of a stage illusion invented by John Nevil Maskelyne, but most often associated with Harry Houdini and performed to some renown (for speed) by The Pendragons. It is also known as the Substitution Trunk (often abbreviated to Sub Trunk).
In the illusion, an assistant (Houdini employed his wife Bess) is locked inside a large box or trunk, often after being restrained with handcuffs, ropes, bags, etc. The magician stands upon the trunk and holds a curtain up to momentarily conceal his entire body. When the curtain is lowered, it is revealed to now be the assistant standing atop the box, the magician and assistant having changed places instantaneously. When the box is opened, it is shown to contain the magician, restrained as the assistant had been.
Maskelyne presented a version in England, as early as 1865, to prove that he could outdo the Davenport Brothers. He would curled inside a small wooden box, which was locked, covered with a canvas and laced, then escape.