Review of Domino Effect by Alex Pandrea

Here’s a strong close-up effect that transposes two packets of sweetener, and the magic happens in a spectator’s hand. While the plot has long been used with coins, the use of the sugar packet allows you work with common objects. Instead of bringing out your unusual set of exotic coins, you can seemingly, in a coffee house, for example, employ real objects that are around you.

Read my full review here. 

More Reading: 
Review of Audio Transposition by Daryl - Magic & Illusion - About.com
Review of Close Up Magic #2 (World's Greatest ... - Magic & Illusion

Review of Collision (DVD and Gimmick) by Tom Wright

Is Collision, as the ads state, “The Ultimate Airborne Card Stab?” I think this one is quite good and convincing and I like that it’s something different. With this marketed effect, you stab the airborne card onto a fork.

You can read the entire review here.

More Reading:
Card Stab (World's Greatest Magic) - Magic & Illusion - About.com
Royal Stab by Richard Sanders - Magic & Illusion - About.com 

Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Gregory Wilson

If I had to nominate a magician who could succeed and entertain in any situation and under any circumstance, Gregory Wilson would undoubtedly be high-up on that list.

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.  

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.

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.

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

 

 

Las Vegas Week

It's said that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, I'm back from a great week in the well known destination and I've got reviews of the latest magic and illusion shows.

Day 1: I thoroughly enjoyed Murray Celebrity Magician, an excellent show at the Tropicana's Laugh Factory. Murray showcases comedy, stand-up magic and even full scale illusions. It's an hour long and entertaining production that is great for families and adults. Read my review here.

Day 2: It's a pleasure to experience a large-scale illusion show that is entertaining and worthy of Las Vegas. He's "straight from Germany" and "The Man With Nine Lives." Read my review of Illusions by Jan Rouven here. 

Day 3: There's magic fun in downtown with Adam London's Laughternoon show at the "D." London is as much a stand-up comic as he is a magician and he brings on the laughs in his one-man show. Read my review here.

Day 4: Tommy Wind showcases magic and music in his namesake show: Tommy Wind Musical Illusionist. Energetic and charismatic, Wind features large scale illusions and intimate stage magic, but the show sports some rough edges. Read my review here.

More Reading:
Las Vegas Magic Shows - Reviews - Magic & Illusion - About.com
Three Magic Shows to See in Las Vegas

Review of Fair and Square

Here’s a great coin effect that’s built around a well known saying: Fair and Square. You take out a round coin and immediately transform it into a square one. 

You can read my review here. 

More Reading: 

Review of Mirage - (DVD and Coin Set) by Craig ... - Magic & Illusion 

Coins Across (World's Greatest Magic) - Magic & Illusion - About.com

DVD Review: “Covert Coins Part 1" by Charlie ... - Magic & Illusion

Blind Date (DVD and Gimmicks) by Stephen Leathwaite

Here’s a fun concept and the effect has a humorous premise. With Blind Date, it's all about setting up the perfect blind date for a lady with one of several eligible men depicted on "dating" cards. And when a  lady makes a free selection, it’s the most eligible and attractive of all the men (you). And you can show that you predicted this outcome from the start.

Read my full review here. 

More Reading: 
Review of Love Cards - Magic & Illusion - About.com 
Review of "One" by Matthew Underhill - Magic & Illusion - About.com

Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Kostya Kimlat

Here’s another great lecture in Murphy’s “At the Table Live” series. Kostya Kimlat’s lecture is strikingly different from others in that its emphasis isn’t on tricks but on the business of magic, particularly with respect to restaurants. If you’re serious about making a career in magic, this may be an important lecture to study.       

Lots of Information
Kimlat has his material organized, but the meandering lecture ultimately covers a wide span of useful information. Generally, he covers: 1) the business of restaurants (how to get gigs, pricing guidelines, how to work the gigs and be successful, approaching tables and more), 2) performing magic on television, 3) how to create a business of magicians performing at gigs, and 4) how to develop and perform stand-up magic.

There’s only two tricks, both of which require props that you will need to purchase. The close-up effect is a great opener that Kimlat himself uses. With this routine, you’ll learn a great variation on the paddle move. There’s also a stand-up effect that Kimlat demonstrates and sells.

The Techniques
Don’t expect any “magic” guidelines that will have clients knocking at your door and calling you. What Kimlat presents is the techniques that worked for him to succeed at restaurants, stand-up and forming a national business that markets magic. The accompanying work will be up to you.

I think that anyone who is serious about making money with magic will find useful information in this lecture. In addition to the helpful advice, Kimlat offered one amazing marketing idea that had never occurred to me and could offer some definite possibilities (hmmmm - food for thought).  

At press time, this lecture was only available as a download but Murphy's says it will be available later as a DVD.

More Reading:  
Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Karl Hein
Heiny 500 by Karl Hein - Magic & Illusion - About.com 
Review of Definitive Guide to Restaurant Magic by Wayne Goodman