Escapology
Escapology is the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. Escapologists (also classified as escape artists) escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, cages, coffins, steel boxes, barrels, bags, burning buildings, fish-tanks and other perils, often in combination.
History
The art of escaping from restraints and confined spaces has been a skill employed by performers for a very long time. It was not originally displayed as an overt act in itself but was instead used secretly to create illusions such as a disappearance or transmutation. In the 1860s, the Davenport Brothers, who were skilled at releasing themselves from rope ties, used the art to convey the impression they were restrained while they created spirit phenomena.
Other illusionists, including John Nevil Maskelyne, worked out how the Davenports did their act and re-created the tricks to debunk the brothers' claims of psychic power. However the re-creations did not involve overt escape, merely a replication of tricks with the statement that they were accomplished by secret magicians' skills rather than spirits. It took another thirty years before the pure skill of escape began to be displayed as an act in itself. The figure most responsible for making escapology a recognized entertainment was Harry Houdini, who built his career on demonstrating the ability to escape from a huge variety of restraints and difficult situations.
Escapology (album)
Escapology is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams.
Background
In 2002, Williams signed a record-breaking £80 million contract with EMI. The contract featured a number of provisos, including the label ceding greater creative control to the artist and a commitment to breaking Williams in the American market. In return, EMI affirmed they would benefit from a cut of Williams' non-recording activities, including touring, publishing, and merchandising, thus protecting the company from any commercial downturn in the singer's album sales. So far it has become the biggest music deal in British history.
After a year out from recording, Williams began working on what would be his fifth studio album. The album heralded a new era for Williams, as he had taken a more active role in the making of the album, giving an indication of his growing confidence in the studio. "One Fine Day", "Nan's Song" and "Come Undone" were the first three songs that Robbie wrote without Guy Chambers' input. The majority of the album was recorded in Los Angeles. "Escapology" was arguably conceived as a concept album, due to its lyrical content being totally reflective of Williams' life as a popstar. The album focuses on his hopes and fears. Williams stated: "Half of the album it is written from the standpoint of 'Look, this is really me with my tears of a clown. Do they love me or hate me?' The rest of it is about somebody that I have to think I am to get up onstage. Because little me wouldn't get up there. It's too scary!"
Podcasts:
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by Robbie Williams
Escapology
by: Robbie WilliamsI like to reminisce about a time I've never had
A book that no one read
A film that never made me sad
And you remind of a place I've never been
And something no one said
When I was 17
One fine day
In the middle of the night
You'll wake up in it
One fine day
In the middle of the night
But you probably won't admit it
Remember when we never struggled through
A bad time we never had
A love we never fell into
Please don't remind me to forget
Cause forgiveness is a place
I ain't got used to yet
One fine day
In the middle of the night
You'll wake up in it
One fine day
In the middle of the night
But you probably won't admit it
All I ever wanted
Was to radiate your home
But I guess it doesn't matter
So come reminisce about a time we didn't have
I hear there's a sequel to that film that never made you sad
Don't rewrite my history
Cause you'll never really know
How much you didn't mean to me
One fine day
In the middle of the night
You'll wake up in it
One fine day
In the middle of the night
But you probably won't admit it