Independent, The (London): BEST OF THE REST

Harry Houdini, 1874-1926

BORN INTO poverty in Hungary, Erich Weiss reinvented himself as the legendary escapologist.

His most famous stunt involved being tied up, handcuffed and nailed into a weighted packing case that was dropped into New York's East river. He swam to the surface 59 seconds later. Houdini died after being punched in the stomach by a student eager to test his famed ability to withstand blows.

The Great Lafayette, 1871-1911

SIGMUND NEUBERGER was a German illusionist whose shows were rated lavish in what was already a golden era for magic.

He was killed at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre when a lamp fell on his head. After appearing on stage dressed in silk to a trumpet fanfare and conjuring dozens of birds and a goat from a satin cloak, he swapped places with a lion in a cage just as it seemed ready to eat a female assistant. The lamp fell while he was taking his final bow, engulfing the stage in flames.

Derren Brown, 1971-

ONE OF the few artists who can claim to challenge Blaine's derring- do, Brown is to take part in a game of Russian roulette in October, to be filmed live for his Channel 4 television show.

He claims to rely on psychology above practical trickery, and says he will be able to avoid shooting himself by observing the reactions of the other participants.