It is such a joy to open my mail box and find emails from other working professionals who are willing to share their knowledge with all of us. Thank you Colin for the articles and I know the readers are going to get a lot out of them, as I did when I read them.
I will be spreading out the articles over the next few weeks so make sure you check back on a weekly basis.
Colin Underwood is one of South Africa’s most versatile entertainers having performed extensively both locally in all types of venues and in UK in circuses and cabaret. He currently performs in The Middle East and in Spain in top resort hotels.
He started with the magic set nearly 30 years ago and worked his way up through the Supreme Magic era and is greatly influenced by Tommy Wonder and Juan Tameriz.
He has also performed many times at the Edinburgh festival with his unique street show which is a card sword routine on a unicycle. He performed for Prince Edward at the opening of Chessington World of Adventures theme park in London in the early eighties and has appeared on many television shows and commercials in South Africa .
Besides the cabaret circuit in South Africa he also works a lot as a walkabout character magician at corporate functions, casinos and this year has seen him performing in Malls and Hotels across Dubai.
He is also recognized as South Africa ’s premier juggler and has won many comedy awards at magic conventions in South Africa.
Show Management
Prop Management Part one
The following notes are from my book I have started writing but I have so much to put to paper that I felt it might be useful information for magicians today and not in a year’s time!!
I wanted to pass on some advice from my experience of working long term contracts and my present contract is no exception. I am performing in Mallorca, one of the Balears Islands of Spain every night for 6 months. With such an intense contract I have found you have to develop personal skills that enable you to maintain such a high standard of performance. The odds are increased that something will go wrong within a long term a contract, that’s a fact!! Prop and personal management is vital.
I feel that the following advice can be applied to other fields of performance even if you do not perform as regularly. And in a way it is a success formula for life in general.
Even though I give the advice I still find I am learning all the time and I get annoyed at little things that go missing or there are breakages or I don’t get to bed early enough and exhausted the next day. I am still striving for that perfect state!
Performance wise I have a new adage which is, I am now as good as my venue!! There are such variations of venues that sometimes it is quite frustrating. I will discuss those hassles in Part 2.
I also believe your show in general is a direct result of you and your personality. Obviously some of the hassles I have encountered will not mean anything to another performer who does not have the same personality traits but for the record I will pass on what its worth!!
It might be pertinent to explain my personality and performance character if you haven’t seen me is one of high energy so I mention energy levels quite often. I perform a routine at a fast pace pertinent to the trick itself and once completed I move quickly onto the next routine and working alone I have to clear away and set new props within the show itself. So prop management is very important for me. This means finding the balance between having a very structured show with props in place and a faster moving show but with chaotic prop management as well as sustaining the speed of performance night after night.
There are other factors which can influence the show and prop management which I will discuss in Part 2 and 3 in forthcoming weeks. These are venue problems, sound equipment problems, untrained animation staff, lighting, difficult audiences, over zealous bar staff and the most insidious of all, your own personal problems. These are things like family connections, depression, burnout, finances, relationships etc
Self discipline.
This is for me the most vital attribute for anybody who is going to sustain a long term contract of such intensity or a career in show business. There is a performance a night with one day off per week and sometimes you are on standby that day as well. The day to day running of your show has to come first and you have to develop a system for everything. My most taxing problem is keeping my energy at peak levels without burning out. Personal discipline and good living habits such as eating and sleep patterns are vital. I perform alone and do not have anybody with me so keeping sane is also a requirement!! A good balance of work and relaxation is necessary. With this present contract my apartment is about 400 metres from the beach so there isn’t a problem in that regard but late nights in the pubs is a lot more taxing as the night life here is amazing. Sometimes I want to go to sleep early but the noisy revelers keep me awake!! This is fine for awhile but week after week it starts to take its toll.
In Dubai last year I was not on a fixed time slot and could perform within a certain time frame. This was very demanding as there was nobody to check up on you and you have to be very focused in your work ethics. I have performed with fellow artists not only magicians who have not been able to maintain a high level of discipline. Any personal manager will tell you this is the same in all walks of life. The hiring and firing of job applicants is a worldwide problem. A friend told me he used to hire an applicant simply because he did not smoke; in his opinion a smoker had less self discipline and value for himself. I make no comment in that regard.
I don’t have a problem performing and it is my life, but my focus is to maintain my energy levels as the success of my show is directly related to my character and performance level which encompasses such things as timing etc. It is difficult sometimes to be the happy and a high level performer when you are suffering from a chest infection induced from 10 months of living in a shopping mall with air conditioning and you find each day you have less and less energy.
This topic of self discipline is actually much bigger than this and encompasses goals and personal drive and determination which I won’t go into here.
Packing and traveling with props.
The easiest way to have a system is to have a place for each prop and every night you pack the prop in the same place. You are then able to see if you have everything. On occasions I have left a shirt or a plug or whatever at a hotel. One prop can serve as a bag for others, my change bag which holds balloons in the show now carries my silks and small gimmicks. My vanishing bottle of tomato sauce is kept in a water bottle with the end cut off. (Or preferably keep the container it arrives in). I use mouth coils so the used mouth coil is stuffed into the bottle to retain its shape. Just by the way I do so many shows I have found I wear out those bottles and they tear and lose there shine so I order a new one each season. You receive a plastic label which has no adhesive with the bottles. I recommend a small amount of contact glue applied to the label to keep in place as the standard water method doesn’t work and you don’t want a label half falling off during a show. I do carry spare labels and stick them on as required.
I will pack one routine after the next and vice versa with unpacking that way I methodically prepare the show. With everything in its place I can easily see what’s missing.
A quick mental recap after everything is in place is also vital, there will be a time you forget something.
Pack small play big is also useful when choosing your show. Your props somehow become heavier after each months performances. The less loose props the better as there is less chance of something going missing. And sometimes the car park and the performance venue are far apart. A good set of casters on your prop trunk will help. When choosing a size, larger is better to get over little bumps and loose carpets in the hotel foyer. There is nothing worse than your prop box jamming the entrance to a five star hotel with guests trying to leave. It happened to me in a lift once; I pulled the box in from the front and then tried to push the box out. Because the lift did not align properly there was a small lip to get over but I was trapped behind my own box and had to go down to lower level and try again.
Be aware your prop box if seen by the audience before and after the show reflects you so no tatty boxes.
continued next week
IBM/SAM Convention
Just a note to everybody attending the combined SAM/IBM convention, I sincerely wish you all a wonderful convention and a special hello to all my friends from New Zealand who have flown over to the USA to be a part of this incredible event. I know you'll all have a blast and enjoy catching up with old friends.
Sad News
John Thompson, Jr., son of Johnny and Pam Thompson, passed away last weekend in Las Vegas. John had battled brain cancer, which had left him debilitated and in a great deal of pain. He was 41.
A memorial service will be held in Las Vegas. The date, time, and place of the service will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 Swenson Street, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
Natalie and I would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to the Thompson family.
Hat Trick for Jack.
For those who tuned in last week to itricks.com and heard Justin and I talk about a magic competition in the UK, here is a report for the results: (thanks to www.magicweek.co.uk where I found this information)
In the finals of the Spooner Trophy Competition, Hull Magicians’ Circle’s competition for Young Magicians, held last Saturday, 13 year old Jack Gleadow won for the third year running. David Hoyes, 16, came a very close second and also won the Tadman Trophy for themed magic performed throughout the year. Also taking part were Aleks Pawinski and Joe Harper. Guest magician, Michael Jordan, from Huddersfield entertained while the judge’s marks were added up. Other young magicians, Jason Hoodlass and Kai Whymes entertained the audience with pre-show close-up magic. Hull Magician, Paul Kitchen, himself a former Spooner Trophy winner, compered. The trophies, including magic vouchers from Merlins were presented to all entrants by Hull Magicians’ Circle President, Eddie Dawes. For the first time a President’s Award was given for progress, attendance and enthusiasm to a young magician nominated by Humberside Young Magician’s Workshop leaders. The first recipient was Jason Hoodlass.
LATEST MAGIC PROJECTS
Lunch Is Served
As some of you may know, having read this BLOG since I started writing, that I have been working together with TC Tahoe on a book that is all about the Out To Lunch Principle. I am pleased to report that it is now finished and at the editors, hopefully ready to be launched very soon. This book is a goldmine of routines using this amazing principle. If you think it is an 'old' trick then you are in for a huge surprise. We have routines by over 15 other well known magicians including Banachek, Kenton Knepper, Carl Andrews, Wayne Rogers just to name a few. There are routines for stage, close-up, childrens performers and mentalists. It will also come with a CD with graphics so you can print your own cards. A few pre-published copies have been sent out to a few professionals who are raving about it. Be sure to check my BLOG to find out when it is finished and ready to ship.
Animal Bands
This has really become popular since it's release. Some magicians have asked if we are selling packets of refills ... the answer is YES. You can ask Hocus-Pocus about this when you order the DVD and bands.
ROMHANY'S PICKS OF THE WEEK
PHORK
Follow up review
I am going to start something I haven't seen before - follow up reviews. These will be of magic tricks that I have already reviewed, however the difference will be that I actually take these tricks "out in the field" and work them in the real world - then get back to you on how they went. Quite often the first reaction to a trick might be slightly different after working it.
In my original view of Phork I raved about this .... after having performed it I can tell you that my views are even HIGHER!! The reaction to this bending fork routine have been amazing. The best thing about it is that you can take the fork and have a spectator (I always get a lady because they freak more) hold it, then THEY rub it very lightly and it will bend in THEIR hand. This truly is the most amazing bending object I have ever seen and I never leave home without it.
I am amazed at the technology used in creating PHORK and it has taken the idea of bending an object to a new level. I have yet to play around with combining it with other bending forks and spoons but this is also explained on the DVD, thanks to Banachek.
For the performer who wants to create the most realistic bending object I highly recommend purchasing PHORK. I can't wait to see what else this team of magical creators come out with.
THEORY 11
Hocus-Pocus Magic have now become a distributor for Theory 11 magical products. These are a group of very clever young magicians who always think 'outside the box'. They are producing some really clever and creative magical effects, I for one am becoming a big fan of their material.
What is theory11? More importantly, who is theory11? theory11 is a group of eleven of the most elite creators, performers, and innovators in the magic community. Artists like:
Chris Kenner (Executive Producer, David Copperfield)
Wayne Houchin (Former Consultant to Criss Angel & Cyril)
Dan White (Magic Consultant, David Blaine)
Dan & Dave Buck (Bestselling Artists & Cardistry Pioneers)
Mathieu Bich (FISM™ World Championship of Magic Award Winner)
Richard Zadorozny (Founder of Decknique)
BJ Bueno (Marketing & Brand Consultant to Apple, Coca-Cola)
Jonathan Bayme (CEO, theory11)
...and more.
Here are some of the latest releases available from Hocus-Pocus
TnR DVD by Mathieu Bich
I am a huge fan of Torn and Restored Cards. Since Chris Kenner's version that Copperfield performed all those years ago I have been fascinated by this type of magic. I remember reading JC Wagners routine and performing it, then pretty much tried every type of other routine that has come on the market since. Let me just say that with every version I've tried, angles are always a problem, however you just chose the right time to perform this type of magic.
My first reaction to this version is that I could see myself using it as part of my close-up spot on the cruise ships, where I have a camera on me. This will be exactly where I perform it, however it is also ideal for most type of close-up situations. This is a very visual restoration without covering it with your hands like most other versions.
There is a gimmick involved in this effect, but you can easily make it up in a few minutes. The DVD is very well produced and Chris Kenner does a great job teaching this trick. Most of his tips you could apply to any Torn and Restored routines.
For the low cost of only $24.95 I would say this is money well spent. It's certainly highly visual, not too hard to perform (like any version you need to practice) and the DVD is very well produced.
Here is what Hocus-Pocus have to say:
A restoration. A reparation. A transformation. Just when you think the effect is over, it hasn't even begun. A signature effect of International FISM winner Mathieu Bich for half a decade, this is a trick that defines visual magic. The restoration is a masterpiece of aesthetic perfection and technical fluidity. But what happens next will turn your mind inside out.
The motions are slow, methodical, logical, and smooth. If you were to take a card, rip it, and then restore it piece by piece-- this is EXACTLY what it would look like. Taught and performed by Chris Kenner in Las Vegas.
We first saw TnR in action months ago with a grainy, dark webcam video shot by Mathieu Bich. It looked like a clip from the Blair Witch Project. But instead of being filmed in the woods, it was Mathieu's living room. And there were no ghosts. Whatever, you get the point. The video was clear enough to see the effect. We saw it. And our jaws dropped.
The effect starts off like any other torn and restored card effect. But as it progresses, it gets more and more insane. Each piece is shown SO fairly before it is visibly, simply, beautifully restored. There's not a single funny move in the entire routine.
85 minute DVD shot in High Definition with intricate instruction by Chris Kenner, creator of the legendary Torn Asunder card restoration.
BELIEVE by Joel Paschall
This is one of my favorite routines by Theory 11. Again, the DVD is very well produced and Joel is a great teacher and performer. It had floored me when I saw it and couldn't wait to learn it. This is so damn clever. Everything you need to know to perform this miracle is explained and there are some great additions tips plus variations on well known moves.
Worried about Angles? You don't have to with this, it is perfect for restaurant magicians and those workers out there, plus there is NO RESET.
It uses NO gimmicks and can be done anywhere and anytime ... my kind of magic ... plus with any deck of cards. It does rely on sleight of hand but nothing you can't learn and perfect. Please put in the time it needs to perfect before you take it out and perform it, you will be glad you did and have a really visual trick that you can do anytime.
For the price they are asking for this routine I would say it is more than money well spent. I would value this for way more, that's how good I think it is.
Here is what Hocus-Pocus have to say:
A pure, impromptu miracle from the mind of Joel Paschall.
A card is selected from the deck, signed, and returned. An indifferent card is shown; the corner is ripped off and placed face up on the table. The rest of the card is set aside, in view. With a slow, calculated, delicate wave of your hand over the torn corner, it visually changes into that of the spectator's chosen selection.
Impossible? The rest of the card - which has been in view the entire time - is turned over as well. The corners match. The signature remains.
Witchboard by Peter Loughran and Sean Bogunia
WOW!!! This is certainly not for everybody, but let me just say, if you perform any type of spirit type show you are definitely going to want to invest in this amazing apparatus. The potential here is limited only by your imagination and what you can achieve is by far the most incredible thing I have ever seen. It's like having your own special effects team in one unit. I am seriously trying to come up with a show where I could use this, it's THAT good. I know of several magicians who perform spook type evenings and I have sent them personal emails letting them know about this product. I could almost imagine a magician putting together a special show where they travel from house to house and bringing back the dead ... like those tupperware parties. The potential here is HUGE, Peter and Sean have opened up doors that haven't been opened before. It's so good I am thinking of designing a whole show around this and taking it on the road - or even to sea!!!
Peter Loughran and Sean Bogunia by themselves produce some of the highest quality magic products around, you can only imagine the quality now they have combined their talents. This is something I really want and will be adding to my wish list.
A note to customers outside North America - just check voltages prior to your purchase, although you can buy converters if need be.
Here is what Hocus-Pocus have to say:
Peter Loughran and Sean Bogunia present WitchBoard, the complete and ultimate professional seance show!
Peter Loughran of Master of Illusions Entertainment and Sean Bogunia of Ultimate Magic Productions have teamed up and have been working diligently on creating the complete and ultimate professional séance show ever devised for mobile applications!
2 years in the making, WitchBoard is perfect for Magicians, Bizarrists, Séance workers, Mentalists, Mediums, and the Haunted House Industry. WitchBoard is a technological advancement in our art creating the ultimate séance show. With WitchBoard you will be able to perform what appears to be an actual séance show with incredible movie style special effects.
The WitchBoard has been made to not only allow the performer to program the Planchette (mystical eye) to spell out exact words, names, and even complete sentences, moving eerily or violently around the board all by itself, but it has also been designed to answer yes and no questions. You will be able to customize your routines over and over again to suit your client's event. Just imagine having the Planchette spell out the names of actual people associated with your client's past, adding spine chilling details to your show!
But that's not all; WitchBoard will also control the lights in the room causing them to flicker on and off, or even shut off completely. It can also be used to manipulate other small electronic appliances such as a TV set. Imagine how startled your spectators will be when the lights flicker on and off and then the TV set suddenly comes on with nothing but snow on the screen and a loud static sound. Don't like that idea? Then how about causing a blender to automatically switch on sending shivers across the room, or cause a radio to come on by itself playing an old song from the spirit's past, placing your spectators in a world of startling and realistic movie style special effects.
But wait there is more: at the end of the routine the spirits can become angry causing the entire WitchBoard itself to rock and shake violently. Imagine as the lights go out, a candle is lit by the performer away from the board and after being in the darkness for a few seconds, as the candle is lit, the Planchette is seen moving all by itself and spelling out an eerie word like, "help", or "murder", and then the board becomes animated and shaking violently as the Planchette now slides in a violent manner all over the board like something out of a horror movie, then the candle blows out and the lights come on, and the room is at peace once again as a finale to the performance. The possibilities are endless and you will be able to use our supplied routines or create you own.
Witchboard includes a professionally produced TV static loop special effect on DVD that contains a static snow effect with demonic voices, and ghostly images that will appear with in the static on your spectators' television set. In addition you will also receive a professionally produced radio special effect that will sound as if the spirit is actually over top of a radio in the room when it suddenly comes on switching through the channels and then finally stopping on song that is associated with the spirit's past or death.
The WitchBoard itself can be used under what appears to be test conditions allowing the apparatus to be checked for magnets, and threads etc. while your spectators will find nothing. All this and more is possible with WitchBoard!
WitchBoard has been built for the future and will be able to also control other animation effects including Peter Loughran's Entity for example, as well as new special effects that will become available over time. The WitchBoard is operated by a single push button remote, and can be programmed to run the entire séance show executing every special effect on perfect queue every single time. You will also have the ability to pause and un-pause your program on the fly at any time. Best of all WitchBoard will allow you to store up to 2 entirely different programs for each special effect and it will allow you to switch to the second set of programs and back again on the fly. Keep one program for your regular performance and then set up a second program just for effects associated directly with your client such as names and sentences that can be custom programmed in right before the show, personalizing your show for your clients...wow!
There are no computers, software or any additional hardware needed for programming. Your entire show is programmed with only the built in electronics of the WitchBoard and boasts an 'On Unit Programming' capability. The programming is easy, can be learned in minutes, and so user friendly anyone can use it!
Witchboard will allow you to control up to 3 separate special effects outside of the actual Witchboard animations. So you will be able to control for instance the lights, a radio, and a TV set. But you don't have to use those specific objects you can use the mini special effects receivers to control just about any small appliance. And in time we will be making additional effects available and you will have the luxury of switching out your effects for different ones, giving you the flexibility to change your show at any time.
Best of all the entire WitchBoard show will set up in minutes, require no special lighting, and pack up flat in its own custom built ATA Case.
Forget about having to worry about elaborate set ups and multiple assistants, this is a one man operation, fully remote control, and does not require the performer to be anywhere near the WitchBoard itself as it animates and performs its stunning special effects. This will be perfect for those that want to start up their own séance show for private parties, and equally effective while performed on stage in a theater.
We will also supply you with sample routines. marketing ideas, added ways to maximize your profits and show you additional products and souvenirs that you can sell to your clients after the night's events have taken place.
It's absolutely stunning and authentic in appearance, beautifully hand crafted with brass hardware, and perfectly antiqued making this a piece you will be proud to own and perform.
WitchBoard comes complete with the beautifully handcrafted antiqued WitchBoard, Technologically advanced built in electronic system, Battery Charger, 3 Mini Special Effects Receivers, Professionally produced TV Static Special effect on DVD, Professionally produced Radio Special Effect on CD, Routines and Marketing ideas, Custom Built ATA Case, Key Chain Pocket Remote, Instructional Video, 1 Year Warranty on parts and labor, and Performance Rights.
Approximate WitchBoard Dimensions: W-25" x L-18" x H-3"(H with brass feet-4")
Approximate ATA Case Dimensions: W-28" x L-21" x H-7"
Each WitchBoard is numbered for authenticity.
Please note that the Battery Charger, and Special effects receivers work off standard North American 120 voltage. Overseas customers using a different voltage or power supply will be required to purchase converters and or additional compatible components that run off of their specific voltage type. These compatible converters and or components may be purchased in these specific countries.
Kenton's FULL HOUSE DVD - Kenton Knepper
Kenton is one of my favorite magic authors around, his magic is always well thought out and constructed and his thinking behind each effect is always worth reading. He has an insight in to magic that very few have and we can always learn a lot from him.
The magic on here is practical and will work in the real world for magicians who perform for lay people. My personal favorite is the Four Card Trick which he teaches, it's easy and when I performed it for lay people the reaction for me was worth the price of this DVD.
Here is what Hocus-Pocus have to say:
Kenton is known as a hard-working, award-winning creative mentalist. But we all need to have some FUN sometimes too! Wait until you see how Kenton relaxes with a deck of cards...
In this jam-packed DVD some of the most unusual card effects and bizarre methods are revealed in full at last.
Subliminally Wild: One card is shown among a bunch of blank cards. The performer apparently uses subliminal influence to make a spectator continually choose the one real card. The finale comes when the spectator looks at all of the cards fanned fairly in front of her and is told to take out ANY card other than the one playing card. She freezes, laughs, and simply cannot do so! The spectator is snapped out of her trance and everyone sees things normally again. PURE KENTON.
Kenton's Four Card Trick: is one of the most bizarre versions of "Twisting The Aces" you'll ever see. Four cards turn over one at a time repeatedly. Then suddenly... the cards ALL CHANGE from red faces to blacks! All four cards are shown once again fronts and back, and dropped on the table. DO THIS for real people and they are stunned! BEST OF ALL, KENTON'S METHOD IS EASY - REALLY EASY!
Slo-Mo Monte: Three Card Monte done in the hands. No tossing, no funny moves. The odd card is face down, yet jumps from bottom to the middle repeatedly, without sleight of hand. Finally, the odd card jumps to the top, and another card changes to it too! There is now a new odd card, and it acts just like the first one. This card is even put into the performer's pocket, but it jumps right back in between t
The other two cards again. THE CARDS MAY BE EXAMINED. No sleights!
Ultimate Diminishing Card: A prediction of a selected card is found to be incorrect. INSTANTLY AND WITH NO COVER AT ALL the poker-size card changes visibly into a miniature card - a "smaller number" that matches the card chosen by the spectator. A Kenton Origination Like Nothing Else.
KENTON'S LEGENDARY SPONGE BALL ROUTINE is also included on this DVD. AT LAST YOU CAN SEE CLEARLY all of the moves, subtle nuances, bold and brilliant original concepts of Kenton's so you can learn this routine easily. We know you've been waiting for years for us to do this. Now it's here.
Anytime Kenton performs close-up magic for magicians and mentalists, two tricks are most asked about: Kenton's "Trick Deck/Real Deck Routine" and Kenton's "Sponge Ball Routine". Due to special arrangement with Murphy's Magic, we have been allowed to reshoot Kenton's original routine so that it could be seen in far better lighting conditions, with real reactions from an audience. This alone is worth the price of this DVD.
There is more, but you get the idea. Loads of eye-popping FUN and memorable magic that is unusual, different and easy to master. It's what you'd expect from Kenton; original effects, methods, odd twists and turns, all within the range of most any performer.
Enjoy this unique and eclectic collection both at home, performing for friends, family, or in the finest of close-up shows. You'll have lots to ponder and enjoy in Kenton's very full "Full House" DVD.
Menu of Miracles DVD, Volume 1and II by James Prince
This is a goldmine for the restaurant magician. Not only does this have some really solid and practical magical effects but James offers some very valuable hints and tips which are worth the price of this DVD alone.
His Bill To Kiwi is a great version as are the additions. I also enjoyed his anniversary waltz. If I were working restaurant magic then this would be at the top of my list of things to get. All of the magic on here is perfect for that type of environment, actually you would only need to learn the effects on this DVD and you could be out working a restaurant on a regular basis. Well worth the money.
Here is what Hocus-Pocus have to say:
Destined to do for the restaurant magician what Corporate Close-Up did for the corporate worker!
For the first time, James Prince spills the beans and releases some of his favorite routines and gives valuable hints and tips that will make you a high earner in this lucrative field.
Contents include:
REPEAT TRAVELERS - Three cards vanish from the deck and then appear inside the magician's pockets. Put back inside the deck, they instantly vanish again and re-appear back in the pockets. Direct, powerful and a great opening routine.
MIRRORS - James' unique finish to any card routine. Placing the deck INTO THE SPECTATOR'S HANDS, they solidify into five solid pieces of Mirror! An amazing hands-on routine that will get audible gasps!
MULTIPLE CARDS TO POCKETS - Up to six signed cards are lost in the deck and instantly vanish, appearing in every trouser and jacket possible including one in a sealed envelope!
CARD OVER/UNDER AND IN MATCHBOX - One of James' brilliant routines that will leave your table dumbfounded. A freely selected and signed card jumps under, over and finally INSIDE a matchbox that is in full view the entire time. Simple, direct and fiendishly clever.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENUE - James tells you how to select the best restaurants to work. Invaluable insights are given that are worth the DVD price alone!
RING IN PEPPER-POT ILLUSION - James' signature piece in which a borrowed ring vanishes and reappears INSIDE a clear pepper-pot that is sitting on the table. Visual magic at it's best and a brilliant illusion. James teaches you how to make two versions in complete detail. Make this a feature of YOUR show!
IMPROMTU ANNIVERSARY WALTZ - James Princes take on this classic trick, but with a difference. Use ANY DECK and NO GIMMICKED CARDS to leave a lasting impression on your audience. Simply brilliant!
For the first time, James Prince spills the beans and releases some of his favorite routines and gives valuable hints and tips that will make you a high earner in this lucrative field.
Contents include:
TABLE APPROACH - Learn the correct way to approach a table for the first time. What to do and more importantly, what NOT to do using James' tried and tested techniques.
CUPS & BALLS AT SPEED - Probably the fastest Cups and Balls Routine ever with a four phase multiple ending! The perfect lead in to the next routine that leaves your audience speechless!
THE WORLD'S EASIEST BILL IN KIWI - Probably the simplest Bill In Kiwi ever! Easy and completely undetectable. This is a routine that they'll be talking about all night.
KIWI FINESE - A great finish to Bill In Kiwi where you HAND OUT the kiwi to the spectator at the end to keep!
SHOOT THE KIWI - The ultimate Bill In Kiwi WHERE THE SPECTATOR CAN CUT, OPEN AND REMOVE THEIR BILL! A brilliant gimmick that will allow you to perform a real miracle is described in complete detail. Simply superb!
FEES - A discussion about what to charge and how to get the best out of your chosen restaurants.
BLUE CARD - A fast and amazing signed card in wallet with a kicker ending that you WILL use.
BRAIN FREEZE - The easy-to-do packet trick that James has been performing for over ten years! Multiple climaxes simply leaves the audiences in a state of complete Brain Freeze.
SIGNED CARD THRU WINDOW - James' classic version that takes the effect to a whole new level. A freely selected card is signed and then the corner given to the spectator with part of his signature still on it. The deck is then thrown at the restaurant window and INSTANTLY the SIGNED card is seen stuck to the other side of the window. Spectator takes his corner piece outside and removes the card from the other side. The corner matches exactly with their signature! NO CONFEDERATES AND SIMPLY GENIUS THINKING
