I STILL HAVE MANY OF JACK’S NOTES that he compiled over the years filled largely with original card effects and moves plus notes on things he had seen at meetings and conventions. Many of these require detailed drawings of the set up for the effect but perhaps I’ll work some of these out later..However, amongst [...]
Posted on June 21st, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas | 1 Comment »
I’VE PERFORMED THE DEVANO RISING CARDS for years and without going into detail I have, I believe, a stunning presentation and patter theme which has become a very successful highlight of my table and close-up work. It gets me repeat bookings.
I knew Mitch Devano, the inventor and bought many packs off him – he always had [...]
Posted on June 11th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Thoughts | No Comments »
FOR YEARS I RESISTED PERFORMING the ambitious card effect. It’s such a good trick that everybody was doing it but I found that the magical impact was such that I could just not leave it out of my close-up programme.
The routine I finished with is part classic, part Vernon, part Pat Page and for the closer [...]
Posted on May 30th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Thoughts | No Comments »
MANY MAGICIANS HAVE CONTACTED ME to ask what is the ring on cord effect that is shown in the heading to this online magazine.
It is a routine I devised over ten years ago based on a basic idea that I purchased from Bob Little, the U.S. magic dealer. Quite simply the ring is quite openly placed on [...]
Posted on May 25th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Reviews | 1 Comment »
AS THE MAINSTREAM OF COMMERCIAL MAGIC entertainment today is possibly table hopping at banquets and restaurants, it’s interesting as to how various performers present their magic with the variety of props on hand.
Some keep it small and have everything secreted on their person but perhaps this does restrict the number of effects that can be [...]
Posted on May 10th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea, Magic Reviews | No Comments »
A COLLEAGUE RECENTLY GAVE ME an item that I first saw fifty years ago that I believe used to be sold by magic dealers.
A piece of string that talks!
A card is selected and the magician shows a piece of red string and pulls it between his thumb and finger nail. And unbelievably you can hear the [...]
Posted on May 7th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea | No Comments »
CRASHING A TABLE means walking up to a table full of ten or so somewhat inebriated diners, some of whom don’t know each other, all out for a good evening and you’ve been booked to show them magic of which they may be unaware. How do you break in?
In the Great Room at Grosvenor House in London there [...]
Posted on May 4th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea, Magic Thoughts | No Comments »
A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, MICHAEL BAILEY, once told me that the first contract he secured when he turned full time professional was a booking for a tour of hotels in South Africa. Working in cabaret at floor level he found that many of the audience at the back could not easily see his presentation, [...]
Posted on April 27th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea | 1 Comment »
WE ALL HAVE A CHOP CUP. In metal, in wood and other materials accompanied by a couple of fabric covered balls, one straight and one gimmicked. It’s a great effect and nearly every magician approaching a dining table will launch into the tried and tested routine. There’s nothing wrong with the standard routine but just think [...]
Posted on April 27th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea, Magic Reviews | No Comments »
THERE IS AN EXCELLENT CARD EFFECT called eight card Brainwave by Nick Trost in which eight cards are shown, one card is freely selected, then the remainder are shown to have blue backs whilst the selected card is the only card with a red back. And the trick can be repeated.
There are no fake cards involved [...]
Posted on April 16th, 2008 by John
Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea | No Comments »
