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Hi all, I am working on a production of Stardust by Walter Kerr, which requires the use of a "trick" chair that can collapse upon sitting on it for comedic effect.  It needs to look completely normal until someone sits on it and...whoops!  Also, preferably, the chair needs to be able to be picked up and moved across the stage without completely ruining the gag.  I was hoping that I could modify an existing prop chair that I have (we have many serviceable old wooden chairs) but am open to ideas.  Any thoughts on how to achieve this effect?  Thanks for any and all input.

Hi! I loved directing Stardust; so glad to hear someone else is doing it. We bought a cheap ikea chair and I think we cut off two of the legs and then hinged the legs back on. So, if the actor sat in the chair carefully it wouldn't fall but if the actor shifted his weight it would. If I remember correctly we repaired it, a lot. I too couldn't find one to purchase. Hope this helps.