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 performed. And possibly that is why we are deluged with sponge balls, card effects, card to wallet,, copper and silver and Flying Ring. I remember  Anthony Page when editor of “The Dungeon” magazine held a survey as to the most popular close-up effects and the above listing  came out massively ahead of many other magic tricks.

At the other end of the scale I once saw a magician who had a small table on wheels that he rolled around the floor like an ice cream trolley, nudged it into the guests and produced everything from the space below the working surface. I don’t know. Everyone has their own way of working.

But I did see an item recently that was practical, non-intrusive, magical and had hidden  storage capacity. It was called “The Hopper“. It is a simple, crab like claw that rests on the side of the dining table, something like the device that waiters sometimes place on the side of a guest’s table to hold a wine bucket.

But extending at the front, resting about a couple of inches  above the table is a circular 7″ felt covered disc, strong enough to support chop cups, etc and a good, visual, focal point for your presentation that doesn’t require you to move glasses, knives and forks and other tableware in order to perform. And resting at the rear, below table level and out of sight  is a small bag, but big enough to contain cups and balls, packs of cards, sponge balls etc. All entirely self contained and collapsible

When I tell you that The Chopper is made by Colin Rose from an idea by James Cooper you’ll know that this is a beautifully made and entirely practical  item that solves all the problems of prop management in order to present a smooth magic show at the table side. Recommended.

If you like to know more about The Hopper check out www.fiveofheartsmagic.co.uk or call Colin Rose on 01775 840 103

Filed under: Magic Ideas, Magic Miscellanea, Magic Reviews