So that the crew would not have to use CGI to "fake" the magical illusions seen, Norton received intensive training in sleight of hand and other stage magic techniques from British magician James Freedman and American magician Ricky Jay.
The Orange Tree trick was made famous in France by Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin in the 1840s. It is first mentioned in old Indian manuscript as an illusion by Faux. Pinetti, an 18th century magician, did a similar trick, but he used lemons. Robert-Houdin was the first to use real fruit.
Edward Norton did many of his own magic tricks, with the coaching of James Freedman. He worked with Norton preparing him for his stage performances and acted as a hand double in numerous situations.
The love scene was entirely lit by kerosene lamps. By the end of each take, the small room was so filled with smoke that it was hard to see.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who plays the teenage Eduard in the beginning of the film, also learned how to do the ball trick.