With strong technical skills, a lifetime’s experience working with audiences, a hilarious demeanor that entertains and disarms, and cunning street skills, there is truly only one Gregory Wilson.
The Lecture
Wilson's lecture is informative and features great material, but
tends to amble a bit. It appears that the lecture began with a formal
itinerary, but it's quickly derailed into different directions as a result of audience
questions and Wilson’s uncanny ability to make the most of - and riff on - any situation.
But perhaps this is the mark of a great lecture - one that goes in the direction that the magicians want it to go. It’s a fun lecture to watch and you’ll learn some great magic, in particular, tricks that can be performed impromptu.
But perhaps this is the mark of a great lecture - one that goes in the direction that the magicians want it to go. It’s a fun lecture to watch and you’ll learn some great magic, in particular, tricks that can be performed impromptu.
The Effects
Wilson begins with and teaches a strong champagne bottle production from an empty paper bag. There’s impromptu “coffee bar” magic where a coin transforms as it falls through a cup’s insulating collar. Wilson also teaches his “Pitch and Ditch” technique to use one’s pant’s pocket as a ditching mechanism; the “Ring Side,” a multi-phase coin and finger ring transposition, a toothpick penetration; and a fun mentalism bit to indicate in which hand a spectator is holding an object.
Wilson begins with and teaches a strong champagne bottle production from an empty paper bag. There’s impromptu “coffee bar” magic where a coin transforms as it falls through a cup’s insulating collar. Wilson also teaches his “Pitch and Ditch” technique to use one’s pant’s pocket as a ditching mechanism; the “Ring Side,” a multi-phase coin and finger ring transposition, a toothpick penetration; and a fun mentalism bit to indicate in which hand a spectator is holding an object.
A large part of the lecture is dedicated to explaining
Wilson’s pick-pocket routine, which includes his watch steal. Half an hour is
dedicated to cards, which includes Wilson’s excellent card under card box
routine - the selected card ends on top of the box, under it, and then the
entire deck vanishes and is found in the box. This one features masterful
choreography. He also teaches the classic "Tenkai Book Break Turnover" glimpse of a card.
It wouldn’t be a lecture without some demonstrations of
marketed effects. Here, Wilson presents his “Exact Change” prediction of a pocketful of change, and an
unshuffled deck (marketed by someone else - click here to read my review of the product).
Filming Magic
There’s also a portion dedicated to showing film segments with real spectators that didn’t go according to plan. Yes, things go wrong in the real world and Wilson is not afraid to talk about what went wrong and what’s going through his head.
There’s also a portion dedicated to showing film segments with real spectators that didn’t go according to plan. Yes, things go wrong in the real world and Wilson is not afraid to talk about what went wrong and what’s going through his head.
In all, the lecture is
a blast to watch and features some useful and fun magic. But most of all, it
stars Gregory Wilson, a charismatic force of nature.
More Reading:
Review of Terry Ward: The Art of Play 3-DVD Set
Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Kostya Kimlat
Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Karl Hein
More Reading:
Review of Terry Ward: The Art of Play 3-DVD Set
Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Kostya Kimlat
Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Karl Hein
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