Saturday, October 25, 2014

Review of Standup Magic by Tom Wright


The “standup” in the title is probably not what you think it is. I often refer to “stand-up magic” as entertainment that’s performed while a magician is standing up in front of a crowd, whether it’s on a stage, or on the floor of a banquet room, ballroom,  or living room.



Upstanding 
“Standup Magic,” as performed by Tom Wright, on the other hand, offers his approach to performing at specific close-up gigs: those at banquets where spectators are seated around tables. This two-disc set also teaches several powerful routines.



Wright’s philosophy promises: 1) more focused attention from spectators, 2) better reactions, and 3) louder applause. Indeed, there is potential for these benefits. The approach can be applied to some restaurant settings, but will depend on the seating arrangements.


Commercial Tricks

With Wright’s approach in mind, the discs teach five entertaining routines and one opening bit. The performances are done for live audiences in banquet settings, and Wright does a thorough job of explaining and teaching his routines. His opener is the well known and surprising cards from mouth, which is followed by his stunning production of a wine bottle that’s precedes a comical production of his shoe. Note that the main routines require that you be wearing a jacket.



From here, Wright performs a great wine bottle through the table routine or his "chop cup." I liked both. The wine bottle penetration requires extra gimmicks that you'll probably need to purchase. Wright’s chop cup is excellent, but employs specialized holders and ditching mechanisms. The routine features lots of audience interactions (a powerful trademark in all of Wright’s fun presentations) and two large loads at the end.



Wright also teaches a card from mouth routine - a selected card is discovered, folded in his mouth, and a ring on rope effect. The ring on rope begins with a professor’s nightmare sequence that’s followed by ring penetrations both on and off the rope.


Worth It

Even if you don’t employ Wright’s approach to performing close-up magic at banquets, this DVD set is worth it just for the routines and his insights, which he teaches in detail. 

I found "Standup Magic" to be an upstanding magic instructional DVD set.
Follow the latest magic news, products and happenings and ask me questions on Facebook ("friend me at "Wayne Kawamoto"), Twitter and GooglePlus. Also, please subscribe to my weekly magic email newsletter here.

Dealers, contact Murphy's Magic Supplies.

No comments:

Post a Comment