SEEN Lite

ISSUE 12

F!@K
IT’S THE
AMAZING
JOHNATHAN! IN THE PHONEBOX
REVIEWS
MASTERCLASS
SERIAL WINNERS
MAGIC BY NUMBERS
 THE TEAM 6
Editor: Mark Leveridge
Deputy Editor: Graham Hey
Design Editor: Phil Shaw

Advertisement Enquiries:
markleveridge@magicseen.co.uk
Website Design: www.magicdp.co.uk
Circulation: Sarah Logan

Circulation Assistants:
Frankie Shaw, Edward Shaw, Jessica Preece
Contributors: Andi Gladwin, Jake Strong
Reviewers: Mark Leveridge, Paul Preager,
Stuart Bowie, Chris Payne, Jay Fortune,
Phil Shaw
Magicseen’s Management:
Graham Hey, Mark Leveridge & Phil Shaw
General Enquiries and Comments:
grahamhey@magicseen.co.uk
Thanks to:
The Amazing Johnathan, Chris Cross, Hello and welcome to the 12th edition of Magicseen Lite, our free taster issue. The content for
Boris Wild this copy of Lite has been taken from the March 2021 full copy, and in many ways it reflects
fairly accurately the diverse spread of articles and features that make Magicseen so interesting.
HHHHH
For instance, we have the full interview with cover star The Amazing Johnathan, a man who loves
nothing better than to stir up his audiences! We include a fascinating feature article called Serial
Winners, in which, with the help of Marc Oberon, Edward Hilsum and Shawn Farquhar, we investigate
what it takes to win high level magic competitions not just once, but several times.

Then there is a thoughful piece by Jake Strong that explains how magicians can earn the trust of their
spectators, and in an extract from the Masterclass, we offer you Andi Gladwin’s routine Pocket Mule.

Add to this a page of Magic By Numbers with some fun facts, and a selection of the product reviews,
and we like to think that this makes for an interesting read for you. Of course, to get the full caffeinated
version, the real McCoy, you’ll need to invest in a subscription. But with 6 month, 1 year and 2 year

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Copyright. The views and opinions expressed in this

magazine are those of the individual contributors
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
publishers. All rights reserved. Reproduction in
The Amazing Johnathan 6
whole or part is strictly prohibited without the prior
consent of the publishers. Colour transparencies,
In the Phonebox 12
manuscripts or discs are sent at the owners’ own Deposits and Withdrawals 14
risk. Neither the company nor its agents accept any
responsibility for loss or damage. All unsolicited Masterclass 17
material should be accompanied by a stamped
addressed envelope. Dealer Shoutouts 23
Published by Magicseen Serial Winners 24
Product Reviews 29
Magic By Numbers 32

4 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
 THE
AMAZING
JOHNATHAN
BIG TALENT, BIG GAGS, BIG MONEY!
Las Vegas star and TV favourite the Amazing Johnathan has had a career that most people
dream about. He’s performed for two presidents, on countless TV shows and in 2001 Johnathan
stopped touring to take up residency at the world famous Golden Nugget where his bizarre
magic act took Vegas by storm and broke box office records in the process. He earned one of
the most lucrative deals ever signed in Las Vegas and also won the prestigious ‘Best of Las Vegas
Award.’ Graham Hey chats with the outrageous performer you can’t help but like!

Where did your own love of comedy When I’ve seen you on TV, your act lines, and I always used to bust them on
come from? reminds me of a real-live version of all it by saying: “I know how I wrote it, how
I’m from the old-time school. I studied those old adverts they used to put did YOU write it?” And they wouldn’t
comedy from the greats such as Chaplin, in the back of comics, selling X-Ray know how to answer. I was influenced by
Keaton…. My dad took me to see all the Specs… Tommy Cooper and if I did something
old black and white pictures. I studied And build your own submarine… similar, I would give it a new twist or
them, got into doing sight gags, then when [laughs], yeah, you know, I go to the slant, to make it unique to me. When
I got more in to magic, I watched guys Magic Castle and watch all the different people steal stuff and they just recite it
such as Richard Prior, George Carlin… acts, and I have a different slant on it. I word for word, then that’s terrible.
say to myself, what would happen if he
So did you want to make people laugh messed this all up? And that’s always how Was there a pivotal moment in your
before you did magic? I got my best ideas – watching the serious early career when you thought you
Yeah, but then I got serious about magic, guys and wondering what could happen! could make a living doing it?
and had this idea in my head I was going Of course, in reality, things didn’t usually Yeah, I went out to San Francisco and
to be the next big thing in magic. But I go wrong, but they do in my head… started street performing. And that’s what
was never suited to just magic and I’ve got me really good, really fast. When I
done some really tragic shows – that Are you a fan of Tommy Cooper? was out there, there was Harry Anderson
nearly forced me out of the business when I loved Tommy Cooper. The best thing doing his ‘Sidewalk Shuffle’ routine, and
I was young. My last ‘serious’ show was he ever did was when he opened up the that’s pretty much all he was doing. He
the worst you’ve ever seen. If I had that cabinet to show there was nothing in it, was getting massive crowds and making a
on video it would be worth a fortune! he gets inside, closes the curtain… and lot of money. And he was on his way out,
It was a high school talent show, and then comes running out of the back and and I was just coming in, and he kind of
EVERYTHING went wrong, you know… says, “It’s dark in there!” That is just a took me under his wing, and he showed
great line. Lots of people used to steal my me how to do it.

6 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
 My last ‘serious’ show
was the worst you’ve
ever seen. If I had that on
video it would be worth
a fortune!

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 7
 guys out there. I wrote a lot of tricks and
routines which included blood, it was a
pretty gory show – I did it because people
would stay and watch. It was like a bad
accident!

I was out there for a year and a half, and

the crowds were getting so big that I was
getting arrested all the time. It was getting
really ridiculous, so I had to get off the
streets. That’s when I moved my act into
the comedy clubs around San Francisco.
It was at the time Robin Williams was
just starting out. I was there on his very
first night… so I came up with that era of
comedian.

How did Robin Williams go down?

He was great, people loved him. And I
was there when he brought his Mork &
Mindy [TV Show] contract into the club.
He was on $5,000 a week and it blew us
all away! That was is the late 70’s and we
were so excited for him. Even after he
became a huge star, he would still turn
up, even at two in the morning, to those
comedy clubs when there were maybe
six people in the audience… he just loved
performing.

We’re there any other magicians in

the comedy clubs at that point?
No, there was no one apart from myself
and Penn & Teller. I remember seeing
Penn & Teller when I was working the
...and when I came streets. They were in an off-Broadway
production in San Francisco at the

back to my spot, he’d packed away Phoenix Theatre – but they were called:
The Asparagus Valley Cultural Society, at
the time! Then, there were three of them,
all my stuff and was doing his and they were basically doing what they
do now, only with three people. Then
own show. In my spot!! It was they got rid of the other guy and became
Penn & Teller, but they were out there still
his way of saying, I’m the working. That’s a long time ago… they’ve
been huge for so long!

king of the streets! What effects did you do in your very

first comedy club act?
I was doing the Zombie ball and at that
time I was mostly making my own props
– things that didn’t work! [on purpose].
My whole show revolved around getting
It was kind of funny, because I was doing While Harry was doing his thing, what someone out of the audience. And I kind
my show one day, and I went to get a did your own act include? of got trapped in that mould for more
drink or something, and when I came I was doing the bill in lemon trick, which or less fifteen years. I couldn’t do a show
back to my spot, he’d packed away all my is still my main trick… and I would close without using a volunteer for much of my
stuff and was doing his own show. In my with the razor blade trick with the blood show! So when I got on to TV, I was stuck
spot!! It was his way of saying, I’m the capsule. It was the shock value with the with these long, elaborate pieces that I
king of the streets! blood that set me apart from all the other couldn’t break down into five minute

8 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
 EITHER......OR?
We are all faced with choices
in magic, so we asked one or
two well known magicians to
select between two magical
options and explain their
decision! This time we put
Alan Hudson on the spot...

1. Red backed decks....blue

backed decks?
Blue Backed - to be honest, this isn’t
bits. It was really difficult for me. But then anything, the pressure was on. And so I much of a choice, it’s my only option
when I worked out what to do, the TV wrote a brand new hour of material in as my wife is also a magician and she
work started to flow in, and then cable TV about six weeks. The pressure made me pinches all the red ones.
happened and I could do longer routines write a 20-year act in a month and a half!
because I had much more time. HBO Under pressure, I can write. Without the 2. Close up....stand up?
would come along and give me a pressure I’d just sit around and watch TV, Stand Up - even before the events of
15, 20-minute comedy showcase, and doodle around. 2020, it’s always nice not being close
that’s when I could really show them what to the general public - especially in
I could do. I had the material. Then I got When a singer goes on TV and sings one December.
a one-hour special on Comedy Central, of their songs, they are expected to do
and this was followed by another and it that song live, but as a comedy performer, 3. Magic books for learning....
just kind of snowballed from there on. you can’t go and use all that material online video?
from TV in a live environment can you? Online Video - obviously all the cool
And when you got your one-hour kids will choose books as the go-to
specials, did you have writers to help Well, the TV companies would ask me default answer, but the truth is video is
you? for original material, that I hadn’t used quicker and easier.
No, I wrote them all myself. I wanted before. Sometimes people would think
writers, but when I tried them, they could I was doing the same material as before, 4. Patter magic....silent magic?
never get the formula quite right. With purely because I was using someone Patter - I grew up with comedy
writing, I put pressure on myself, because from the audience… but I was doing new magicians who became my magical
when the TV people asked me if I had a stuff, and that’s kind of a trap I fell into as heroes, so followed... I realise many
new five-minute spot, or did I have an well. But, when I switched from using an people who have seen me would hope
hour of new material for them, I’d just say audience member to using an assistant, I’d been a silent act...
yes! Then I’d have to write it. So I got used who played a character, a dumb blonde,
to writing under pressure, under the gun, things changed. We worked together for 5. Sleight of hand methods....
you know. twenty years and she was amazing, man! self-working methods?
I used to try things in the act to mess her Sleight of Hand - almost nothing worth
I think it took me twenty years to write up, or throw her off and she was amazing, doing is genuinely self working. Also,
a really good, tight hour of material. she’d stay with me all the way! It was if you mess up a self working trick you
But when Comedy Central asked me brilliant watching her work… haven’t got any excuses afterwards.
for another hour – without repeating

9
 So you didn’t have things really
rehearsed, there was plenty of room
for ad-libbing?
There was a lot of unscripted stuff in my
Vegas was the best thing shows. Every time I rehearsed something,
it never seemed to go that well for me.
that ever happened to me. I was sharp on my feet, which I learnt
from street performing and then in the
I was ready to quit the business, comedy clubs. Each time I thought I
had something funny for my show, and
because before I got my show I practised it, it didn’t seem to work. But
then I would do something off -the-cuff in
there, I went through a really my show and get big laughs! It was almost
like the opposite of what you should do!
nasty divorce and I just didn’t
feel like doing it any more.
When you got to Vegas, did you take
more time to ensure it was a winning
bit – with the additional pressure - or
did you carry on the same way?
Well, I’d do it in front of an audience and
then gradually tweak it over a number
of performances. Las Vegas was a whole
different thing for me because I wasn’t
travelling around with a load of props any
more… I got to perform in one location,
and I got to build my show in one theatre.
When I finally got production values
to my show, access to lights, access to a
wood shop next to the casino – it enabled
us to introduce lots of new material
just because we could. It was fun, and it
was easy to do. Plus, when you have a
permanent crew with you, they come up
with ideas as well.

I would sit around with people who made

me laugh, and we’d end up brainstorming
and stuff. Vegas was the best thing that
ever happened to me. I was ready to quit
the business, because before I got my
show there, I went through a really nasty
divorce and I just didn’t feel like doing
it any more. But then the Vegas offer
breathed new life into me. Plus, Vegas
made me rich! I was already rich, but
Vegas was a whole new ball game. At one
point I was making $80-90,000 per week.
Last week I was clearing out some files
and I came across some pay stubs – I was
crying - and I was using them to dry my
tears because I was so sad I wasn’t making
that kind of money any more!

*More from The Amazing Johnathan in

the next issue!

10 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
IN THE PHONEBOX
WITH DEBORAH FRANCOIS
DID YOU KNOW?
1 Magicians were very
much involved in
the birth of the movie
industry. Not only
were many magicians
exhibitors of films, but
many were involved
as performers and
producers. Harry Houdini
made several silent films
and was the creator of
many special effects;
magician George Melies bought the Robert-Houdin Theatre and
exhibited the first motion picture seen in Paris.

2 The author of the 14 most recent

James Bond thrillers is a magician.
John Gardner, retained by the estate of
Ian Fleming, the creator of the Bond
character, was a professional magician
before he became an author.

We send the editor into an old-fashioned

red phonebox and ask him to call someone ALL DAY AND ALL
interesting! This issue, we spend a wonderful
minute with the star of the brilliant French OF THE NIGHT
movie ‘Populaire’ (2012). If you haven’t seen it,
then we feel sorry for you!!!
WITH NING
Which book have you read that made you
M S: Hello Deborah. We are huge doing it, but when you get it into
keep reading, and why?
fans of yours! your head that you are playing a
character, you are pretending to The first title that comes to mind would undoubtedly be Neil
D F : (laughs) Thank you so much. be someone else, it doesn’t seem Gaiman’s SANDMAN. Not only did this keep me reading, it also got
so daunting. If we are talking me writing as a teenager. Neil is an incredible writer and has created
M S: I’m calling from Magicseen about magicians, then the world a fascinating world of mesmerising characters and enchanting
Magazine. Are you a huge fan of stars such as David Copperfield, storylines. If the young person in your life enjoyed his stuff on
magic? Penn & Teller and Criss Angel are film and TV, you need to point them to his books and especially
incredible… They have the weight this graphic novel which is finally getting its
D F : When I was a child I loved it. and expectation of thousands on own show on Netflix! That only took three
Some of my friends had magicians their shoulders. And they have decades *wink*
at parties and it was always so to do it live. There is tremendous
exciting. I used to sit there not pressure on them. As an actor I consider myself very blessed to
saying a word…just staring. I was we can re-take the scene and do have Neil as a friend. He is one of
always so well behaved! it better. But live performing is a the nicest, kindest, most generous
real art. people I’ve ever known. Despite
M S: And what about as you got his busy schedule, he penned two
older… M S: Thanks Deborah… we love forewords for my books. And when I
you! was studying in the UK, he let me stay
D F : I remember thinking that I in his beautiful house in the Isle of Skye so
wanted to perform, but was quite D F : (laughing). You are very kind. I could write my manuscript. Talk about trust!
shy. I was always in awe of people We just did a Zoom chat over the holidays, and I’m
who could get up and entertain. really excited about Morpheus and his family of Endless Ones finally
I didn’t think I’d be capable of Thanks to ParisBerlin-Actors.com coming to our screens this year!

12 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
 DEPOSITS AND
WITHDRAWALS
How to ‘bank’ on an audience’s approval. By Jake Strong

Matthew Ramsell Mark Waddington

If you asked 100 magicians why the performer’s mind, what that the performer never asks gradual deposits should be made
they enjoy magic, I would guess would have been a few card tricks for anything before a deposit is to ensure the relationship is
at least 75 would talk about either turns into both a meaningful made. It’s impossible to make a properly tended to.
“spreading joy” or putting their relationship and a long-lasting withdrawal at the bank before any
audience in a state of “childlike memory. deposits are made, and the same These deposits include, but
wonder”. These are both great should be said for the performer. are not limited to, positive
intentions that help give a sense of Sean Covey explained in his 7 The byproduct of a positive affirmations that the participants
purpose to a given performance. Habits book series that both transaction is an enjoyable are helping out correctly, making
However, they cannot be interpersonal and intrapersonal performance. consistent use of their names, and
accomplished when there is no relationships are like a bank showing them the same human
genuine relationship established account. The same bank account The first deposit must be made as decency and respect onstage that
between the audience and the metaphor can easily extend to the quickly as possible to prove both would occur offstage.
performer. relationship between the magician the performer’s professionalism
and his/her audience. The more and legitimacy. A quick deposit I started performing at restaurants
The most important aspect of this beneficial “deposits” the performer can be the simple act of doing a when I was 14-years-old and
relationship is the performer’s puts into the “bank account” with quick, visual trick at the top of when I addressed adults I used the
prioritisation of the audience’s the audience, the more mutual the performance. Many working names “Sir” and Ma’am”. This has
happiness paired with the trust and real-life connection is pros advise against borrowing a helped me to garner the respect
expectation of creating a real, built between both parties. personal item for the first trick of so many adults within the first
human connection. Consequently, because the performer hasn’t 10 seconds of meeting them, and
when the intention of creating a This trust enables the performer entirely established that he/she they were much more likely to
legitimate bond with the audience to start to ask for little withdrawals isn’t an untrustworthy stranger. pay attention to my rubber band
members is at the forefront of in return, although it is imperative As the performance progresses, routines.

14 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
A mastery of the tricks is also willingly give a standing ovation.
essential for focus to be shifted This is a huge sign showing that
onto the audience. Stammering the relationship with the audience
amateurs are depicted as never is positively received, but positive
being able to take their eyes off affirmation could come in
their hands because they don’t many other forms like a tip or a
have the trick in their muscle compliment.
memory. Since amateurs have
not mastered the mechanical It’s easier for the performer to
workings of the tricks, when they mess up the relationship than the
attempt to focus on the audience audience. After all, magicians in
the whole thing falls apart. most scenarios are interrupting
the audience’s day, and if the
Mastery of the material is also audience deems their time to be
a small deposit, and although wasted, it’s because the performer
it is not consciously expected didn’t put enough effort into
by most audiences, it’s evident creating an authentic relationship.
when it’s missing. By showing a
firm understanding of the tricks An obvious example of a lack
themselves, it communicates of an authentic relationship
how seriously one takes their is illustrated by the case of a
craft. Although this can never participant feeling embarrassed Wayne Goodman
be entirely avoided when the on stage because the performer
magician is trying new material, made fun of their hairstyle or
doing tried and true killer effects made them look like a fool in
before and after a new addition front of hundreds of others. Some
can offset a potentially weaker performers can get away with
spot in the performance. doing slight jabs at the helpers,
but that’s because the established
These may all seem like micro- relationship is so strong that the
examples, but a performance jokes are taken at face value. After
is usually very short and can all, people are more likely to take a
last anywhere from 5 to 90 joke from their friends than from
minutes on varying performance a random stranger on the street
stages. The one thing that stays because we know our friends are
consistent within all scenarios is only joking.
every moment is important. A
performance shorter in length is Simply forgetting a spectator’s
likely to be a close-up situation name can also depersonalise a
with a smaller audience, so the relationship and make it seem
magician must do anything as if the magician isn’t paying
to make as many deposits, attention to what the audience has
however small or large, within to say. It’s vital that the performer
the small time allotted. Longer listens to the audience because if
performances usually merit bigger it seems like the magician doesn’t
audiences which makes it harder care, there will be no relationship
to connect with each individual, so to make deposits into.
every word spoken is a chance to
make a small deposit with a large At the end of the day, both the
group of people. Both instances performer and the audience are Kris Rubens
are drastically different from a human beings and relationships
performance perspective, but the are key between humans. If
relationship still remains the same the performer wants to make a and family allow ourselves to be There are always a lot of perceived
in both cases because it is still memorable performance, genuine relaxed around them and not be differences between the performer
human to human contact. relationships are essential. Think afraid to show our true selves. and audience members, but by
about the last time you laughed listening and showing respect to
At the end of a performance, if until you cried. It was probably If magic is all about bringing out each other, the gap between the
the audience feels the performer with one of your best friends or the childlike wonder in other two can begin to disappear to the
has deposited enough into their family who you’ve known most humans, then it is important that point where a relationship can
relationship and has entertained of your life. The relationships the audience feels comfortable prosper.
them, they will more than we have built with our friends enough with us to be vulnerable.

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 15
Pocket Mule
Extracted, with permission, from The Boy Who Cried Magic, available from
by Andi Gladwin
www.vanishingincmagic.com

I can’t say that I feel particularly

comfortable teaching a variant FERNANDO’S
of Roy Walton’s “Smiling Mule,”
which is an effect that some MAGIC
ACADEMY
magicians consider to be one of
the best card effects ever devised.

LAUNCHES!
In that trick, the performer
removes two Aces and explains
that a named card will appear
between the Aces. With just one Why not finally deepen your
riffle of the deck, the Aces are passion for magic and thus
now shown to be on the top and learn knowledge and skills that
bottom of the deck … therefore will make you a better magician
the named card must be between in the long run? Fernando
them! Finally, the Aces transport Figueras from Spain has
to the middle of the deck, with launched his “Campus Magico
one card between them: the Academy”.
named card. remove your card. Are you ready? your participant names a card you
Name your card!” will reach into your pocket and Fernando has been very
Structurally speaking, for the key remove the named card. successful for years with his
joke to be fully understood, you As soon as she does, the one-week “Campus Magico”
must quickly show that the mates performer thrusts his hand into During this explanation, roll workshops which have received
are on the top and bottom, which his pocket and returns holding up your left sleeve and take a rave reviews.
can take a few more beats than the the entire deck (Photo 1). “I got stance that suggests that you will
joke itself. I feel that the modest them all! Yours must be in here be working quickly. The patter Highly recommended by our
change I have made to Roy’s somewhere!” is not that the participant will friends at Card Shark, the new
routine fixes this issue by giving it think of a card (as that would Campus Magico Academy has
a clear setup, followed by a display He continues, “Alright, I’ll be turn it into a mentalism effect just launched. It’s not a random
that is aligned with the joke. honest. I didn’t say which pocket!” and the associated challenges of, compilation of lectures by
The performer then carefully “No, you tell me what card I am well-known magicians. It’s not
The structure and handling reaches into his other pocket and thinking of!”), but instead, that a mere consumption of magic
remain almost identical, so I hope removes the named card. the participant is challenging you tricks, but a virtual course over
that you will consider this in the by naming a card that you have a period of 6 months.
spirit intended: a personalisation to find.
of Roy’s fantastic method. Working In these six months you’ll
Start by making it very clear that As soon as the card is named, become a better performer and
the deck is genuinely shuffled, reach into your pocket and you will be perfectly prepared
Effect but without slowing down your remove the entire deck. Then, for the future; whether you’re
The performer genuinely and introduction. Do this during when the deck is at chest level, already a professional magician
fairly shuffles the deck and the opening dialogue by giving make a wide hand-to-hand spread who wants to improve your
explains, “There is evidence that the deck a fair face-up overhand and say, “Well, I didn’t say that I show, or you are a hobbyist
by restricting one of our senses, the shuffle so that the audience would remove only your card!” and you want to achieve
other senses become stronger.” He can clearly see the face card of much stronger effects in your
puts the deck in his pocket as he the deck changing. The patter As the audience laughs (or groans performances.
explains the rules, “The challenge overlaps the shuffle so that it is … or hits you), glance down at
is simple. I will remove my sense clear that you are not focusing on the deck and look for the named Your registration at www.
of sight in order to strengthen my the order of the cards. selection. As soon as you find the campusmagicoacademy.
sense of touch. In a moment I am card, cull it to the bottom of the com is completely free and
going to ask you to name any card. Take the deck and place it face deck, square up and turn the cards without obligation. Suitable
As soon as you tell me the card, outward in your left trouser over. for magicians of all skill levels.
I will reach into my pocket and pocket and explain that as soon as Don’t miss this!

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 17
Pocket Mule cont.
Now that the deck is face down, On occasion, I have performed
top palm the top card and move this routine with two selections, as
your right hand toward your follows: Have two cards selected
right pocket and say, “I didn’t say and ask the first participant
which pocket!” Slowly reach into to return her card to the deck.
the pocket, release the card from Control that card, and palm it into
palm and then remove the card to your right hand as you hand the
show that you have succeeded in deck to the second participant.
meeting your challenge. Ask that he lose his card in the
deck and then shuffle the cards.
Comments
My introductory dialogue is As you take back the deck, load
crafted to sound like I am about your palmed card back on top and
to perform an improbable, but place the cards into your pocket.
believable skill. I feel as though You can now reach into the pocket
this strengthens the joke because at rapid speed to pull out the first
it becomes a release of that selection, before lightening the
tension when the audience realises mood and performing “Pocket
that it was all a setup for a joke. Mule” for the second selection.
I am especially comfortable with
building the trick up in this way Credits
as I do eventually make good on Roy Walton’s “Smiling Mule”
the promise, and in a way that is first saw print in The Certain
even better than the audience was Something (1979) and then later
expecting. Over promise and over
deliver, as some of my marketing
in The Complete Walton, Volume
1 (1981). The brilliant new
Sci-Fi rom-com novel
friends say.
My long time friend Benjamin
When the selection happens to Earl independently created a
be far down in the deck, it can routine based on the same joke by Graham Hey
sometimes destroy the tempo to of removing the card from your from Chronos Publishing
continue spreading. Therefore, if pocket, instead of using the mates.
I cannot find the card quickly I try It’s more than likely that one of us Cooper McRae is going to be completely
to create humour specific to the sparked off the other’s creativity,
audience. Perhaps someone looks but neither of us recall what led us
invisible for seven days. He plans to woo Lucy
annoyed that I didn’t actually do to come to the same conclusion. Pendleton – the girl at work who acts like he’s
the trick, or perhaps someone Ben’s effect, “Finish 52,” was invisible ALL the time, get himself one million
doesn’t quite understand what published in F is For Fiction pounds and meet his hero, Elton John. However,
has happened — whatever the (2015). We were both happy for
things don’t go to plan. A drugs cartel, an ex-
situation, I point it out and make a the other to publish our routines.
quip about it. This buys me more girlfriend’s pregnancy and a neighbour with an
time as I look back up, and then The “I didn’t say which hand” style unhealthy interest in Lego all conspire to make
casually back down at the deck. line was created by Max Maven, his week of invisibility more complicated. This
There’s no formula, other than to who used it in a different context is his confession. Will Lucy fall for his charms,
be conversational, and observant in his trick “Pocket Nightmare,”
or will she see right through him?
to the actions and emotions of which eventually saw print on his
your audience members. DVD set Kayfabe (2016).

David Blaine’s
OUT NOW
new flat in Available from all good bookshops and online retailers
London fails
to live up to
expectations.
£3million.
Connect with Graham:
BLOG: funny-writer.com
Great views. I Twitter: hey_graham.com
bedroom. No Facebook: grahamhey@letshearitfortheboy
bathroom.

18 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
 CARD-SHARK

DEALER
At this time last year, we had
already attended 5 conventions
on three continents. We were still
recuperating from sleep deprivation and jet lag. This year we are only

SHOUTOUTS
suffering from the lack of direct human contact and Zoom Fatigue.
We just hope everyone stays Safe, Healthy and Magical.

We had hopes of presenting our newest editions to the Magic World at

the 2021 Blackpool Convention. Subsequently, we are introducing one
of them to you now:

Here are some special ‘extra’ VIBRANT was an adjective, until we turned it into a Noun!

announcements from a few The Vibrant Series of Phoenix Decks has arrived! Produced at US
of our regular advertisers Playing Card in Casino Quality Large Index, these cards with our
Phoenix Back Design are printed in Colours that are just.. STUNNING!
These colours don’t just POP… they EXPLODE! Greener than Green,
Blacker than Black, Orangier (?) than Orange and a Purple…Shawn
Farquhar wishes he could get a suit in this colour.

BLACK HART But we didn’t stop there!!!

Satan’s Mistress, a brand new and exclusive story telling effect from The
Black Hart. Following the grisly tale of a young lady who is accused of We are releasing 500 of a Collector’s Edition! It’s a numbered, four
being Satan’s Mistress, she is buried alive with a Tarot card. The volunteer deck, Large Index set. Each deck is in a card case with a Lenticular
has the free choice of Tarot card (which have been in use for your Foil producing an amazing 3D version of our Phoenix front, including
reading) the card is unknown to you and is placed into the tarot card box twinkling stars. Each deck is manually sealed with our unique Phoenix
then into a black velvet bag. You tell them if they chose the same card as “FU 2020” seal.
the young lady they will be the subject of her curse. You now name the
card the young lady chose. It is of course the same one as your volunteer But we didn’t stop there!!!
secretly chose! There is a free choice of Tarot, the volunteer does all the
handling of the cards, they place it in the box and in the bag. There is no The Collector’s Edition comes in a Custom “Magic Drawer Box” showing
sleight of hand, a gimmick does all of the work for you, all of the cards the same 3D Lenticular Foil that produces all four colours. Show the
can be examined afterwards. Only available from Black Artefacts www. box empty and slide it shut. After your “magic words” the four Vibrant
blackhart.co.uk/satansmistress.html Decks appear inside! And now, to top it off, each set is Numbered and
Autographed by the Card-Shark himself, Christian Schenk.

OMP Only 500 sets have been made… so order quickly to avoid possible
Online Mentoring Programme with Looch. For the first time ever in disappointment! These will go FAST!
his career, Looch is offering to the community his online mentoring
course. This course is perfectly suited for those who are looking to
build a successful business within the performing world of mentalism.
Perhaps you are looking to add some part time performances to your ILLUMINATI MAGIC
calendar? Or maybe you wish to transition to a full time performing ILLUMINATI MAGIC RELEASE NOTIFIER 2. The team at Illuminati
career? Whatever your current status, download our FREE brochure Magic has released a revolutionary new electronic peek device – the
that explains how it works and how you can be mentored by one of the Notifier 2. Notifier 2, pushes the boundaries of innovation for users who
UK’s best professional mentalists. To download the brochure please want the most out of electronic mentalism. The Notifier 2 is a finger
visit: www.readmymind.co.uk palmable peek device, featuring a retina quality display and an integrated
Thumper. If you prefer, Notifier 2 may also be placed inside a card box,
making it the most discreet electronic peek device available on the market
today. Not only does the Notifier display (and vibrate) the results from
MISSION MAGIC electronic dice, dominoes, poker chips, magnet sensors and pens, but it
THE NEW COMEDY EGG BAG. Mark Foster at Mission Magic writes: also displays messages from RFID/NFC, enabling a single peek device to
‘The Egg Bag is a cracking piece of comedy magic, but we couldn’t find be used for all your electronic mentalism. Notifier 2 also integrates with a
a decent bag anywhere. So, we asked our wonderful seamstress Jennifer myriad of Magic Apps such as Inject and WikiTest and even displays the
Long, to make them for us. She’s done us proud. Each Comedy Egg Bag results from magician calculators on the display in real time. You can turn
is handmade with loving care from gorgeous fabrics. And our exclusive on and off reporting from the various electronic props you use and also
‘perfect pocket’ design makes the handling so much easier. We’re backstage assistants can send you messages using a web browser. Notifier 2
confident that you won’t find a better Egg Bag.’ Limited edition. Only is USB chargeable and provides up to 8 hours of performance time. Check
available from www.missionmagic.co.uk. the Notifier 2 out on www.illuminati-magic.com.

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 23
SERIAL WINNERS
WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN MAGIC COMPETITIONS TIME AFTER TIME
By Mark Leveridge

Way back in September 1981, grateful to Shawn Farquhar, Marc

when I was still a full time Oberon and Edward Hilsum for
secondary school teacher, I was their input.
lucky enough to win the Zina
Bennett Close Up Magic Trophy,
which is the close up competition START AT THE BEGINNING
award offered by the British Ring Before you can go on to become a
of the International Brotherhood serial winner, you have to create a
Of Magicians. The resulting suitable competition act. So where
publicity, both local and national, and how do you start? After all,
pushed me to do immediately you know that you are probably
something that I was planning to going to be evaluated mainly
do in the summer of 1982 in any by magical judges, and they are
case, and that was to turn full time not going to be impressed by a
pro. standard Professor’s Nightmare
routine, so perhaps the natural
Without that competition win, response to that is to create
and the subsequent rise in my something quirky and original
magic profile, it might well have specifically for the competition.
One way to begin transpired that I never did take But do our experts think this is the
is to identify your the plunge into professional best approach? Here’s Edward’s
strengths and magic, which would have meant explanation of his act creation
weaknesses in terms I would have had a completely process.
of material, character different life for the last 40 years.
and style. “Create the magic you want to see
So, winning a major magic and that you enjoy performing.
competition can have a significant When I’ve entered competitions
effect on those who do well, recently, I started with the
but what is the impact on those strongest magic I perform and
talented people who go on tried to think of ways to stand
to win time and time again? out from the crowd. Think about
What motivates them to put staging, costume and other
themselves up for the ultimate theatrical elements in addition to
scrutiny - evaluation of their strong magic and originality.”
skills and creativity - again and
again? And does the result of Marc’s approach is more about a
becoming a serial winner have an process of refining what he already
exponentially beneficial effect on performs before then giving reign
their lives and standing with their to his imagination.
magical peers?
“One way to begin is to identify
Create the magic To get some answers to these your strengths and weaknesses
you want to see and other questions relating in terms of material, character
and that you to performing in magic and style. Phil Jay once told me to
competitions, we approached focus on my original material and
enjoy performing.
three prolific competition forget about all my other effects.
winners, performers who It was good advice, as by rejecting
have been there and done it, the bulk of the effects I hadn’t
repeatedly, and we are very created allowed me to increase

24 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
focus on my own ideas. So, start of the performance so that it looks
daydreaming, think about what and feels right to the audience.
you want to see happen and
develop your ability to visualise For Edward there’s a very practical
by imagining effects before side of a competition act that he
methods.” wants to get exactly right, and that
is the timing of the performance
Shawn’s style is slightly different itself. Most competitions have a
as he tends to look beyond the strict maximum time limit which
competition itself and consider acts must adhere to or they can
what use the act might have in the be disqualified, so to overrun is
commercial world afterwards. As one error that simply has to be
a result of this he doesn’t create avoided at all costs. One side
a ‘competition act’ as such, but benefit of trimming his tricks
more an act that will have tangible down to a specific shorter length
benefits afterwards. has been that he has had to rise to
the challenge of identifying non-
SHAWN FARQUHAR
“Every act I’ve ever performed essential elements of his routines 2009 FISM - Grand Prix World Champion
within a competition was which can be stripped away. 2009 FISM - World Champion of Cards
something I did for lay audiences. 2008 - International Champion of Magic, London, England
I think the best starting point 2006 - FISM - Silver Medalist (Parlour)
when trying to create a strong PHONE A FRIEND 2006 - FISM - Silver Medalist (Sleight Of Hand)
competition act is to make it strong Competitions are all about putting 2003 - FISM - Silver Medalist (Sleight Of Hand)
for real audiences. If you really your best endeavours in front of 2001 - IBM - 1st Place Gold Cups Competition (Close Up)
stop and look at previous winners magic experts and having them 2001 - SAM - Close-Up Champion
of the competitions, very few go assess how well you have done. 2000 - Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) -
on to successful careers doing the But obviously it is helpful if you Grand Prix du Magique
act they compete with in the first can also get some independent
1998 - IBM - 1st Place Gold Medal Competition (Stage)
place. So the prime rule, in my feedback during the creative
1992 - PCAM - Pacific Rim Gold Medal Magic Champion
view, is make your act enjoyable process prior to the competition
1991 PCAM - Stage Magic Champion
and mystifying to real people!” in order to address any potential
1990 PCAM - Pacific Rim Silver Medal Magic Champion
errors in advance.
1984 PCAM - Stage Magic Champion
THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL Collaboration with trusted fellow
There are so many potential
variables that need to be
considered when creating
magicians is an important aspect
of putting together a great act,
as all three of our performers
EDWARD HILSUM
The Magic Circle Close-Up
a competition act that it’s readily admit. For Marc it is as Magician of the Year 2020
impossible to know which much about how he responds The Magic Circle Children’s
elements may turn out to be to the advice as it is about the Entertainer of the Year 2019
important or difficult until you try suggestions themselves. The Magic Circle Stage Magician
it, and certainly all three of our of the Year 2018
winners gave different examples “For me collaboration is essential. Allan Slaight Awards -
of things that they found the most There are several variables at International Rising Star 2017
difficult to get right. play when it comes to feedback.
The International Brotherhood
The mental state of myself at the
of Magicians - British Champion
Shawn feels that originality is point of requesting feedback. Am
of Magic 2014
very important but difficult to I psychologically strong enough
create as so much of what we in that moment to hear criticism?
learn comes from the input of
previous performers. He advises
The mental state of the person
giving the feedback, are they in MARC OBERON
that looking for twists on old plots the mood to help me? Do I want European Close Up Magic
and/or methods is a good way to a general “ What do you think of Champion
introduce some original thinking that?”, or do I require something IBM Close Up Champion
into a competition act. more specific such as “ What’s the MacMillan International
stronger moment, this or that?”” Champion
Marc has always spent a lot of USA IBM SAM People’s
time thinking about and refining Edward also says that Choice Award
all aspects of his acts, but for him collaboration is essential and he FISM Parlour Magic Champion
one of the most taxing elements is is fortunate to have a handful of
trying to get the rhythm and pace top helpers who have assisted him

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 25
 “Although I often find it’s fun to
collaborate with others I am most
productive when I create alone.
This is because my most creative
period is usually somewhere
between midnight and 5am. Not
many people are up to create and
collaborate during those hours!
Once I have the routine basically
ready to perform I will ask a small
group of my friends whom I trust
to give me input.”

Every act I’ve ever WORLD CLASS AT

performed within
a competition was GETTING READY
something I did for lay Because there are so many things
audiences. that need to come together to
create a strong competition act, it
must be hard to know when you
have reached the point where it’s
ready for action. The danger is

TOP TIPS FOR COMPETITION SUCCESS

Whether you envisage wanting to compete just once at a major
in improving all aspects of his act.
This clearly shows that if you can
that you can continue to tweak
and alter details in search of
perfection, when the reality is you
level, or whether you like the thought of mapping out a pathway to surround yourself with people are probably changing things for
multiple successes, those who have already been there and done it, who between them represent a the sake of it and not because they
provide now a summary of six key tips to help you on your way. wide range of experience and make any tangible difference.
expertise in all different areas of So, how do you avoid becoming
1. Take every opportunity to perform the act in front of real people. magic, the benefits to you can be someone who is world class
2. Collaborate with people who will give you honest feedback. huge and allow you to develop at getting ready and instead
3. Make your ‘goal’ not to win a competition but to create an act your performance successfully recognise when the act is good
that you love and would be happy performing regularly. even with elements in which you to go? For Edward, the answer is,
4. Build an act that does NOT rely on language. If you build a have no personal knowledge. you don’t!
universal act you have the opportunity to travel the world with it.
5. Prepare thoroughly. Shawn likes to collaborate but “I never feel like an act is ready.
6. Don’t create an act just for a competition. Make an act that you there is a stumbling block for him, You can always improve and that’s
will be able to perform afterwards. as he explains. part of the fun! I simply try to
make the most of my time leading
up to a competition, rehearsing
and taking notes on board, so I’m
as prepared as I can be.”

Shawn agrees. “I don’t think you

ever really know when it is ready
to be put into a competition. It’s
the same as any piece of magic,
you’ll never know how good it is
until you are performing in front
of real people. Yes, the act has to
be polished and professional, but
until you put it in front of real
people and allow it to be judged,
you’ll never know if it’s ready or
not.”

Marc also uses real world

performance as a barometer of
progress, and he believes that this

26 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
can provide many valuable pieces
of information that he can act
upon.
increasingly difficult due to the
expectations of both himself and
others, he did like the way that
FAREWELL, SIEGFRIED
it helped him to improve as a Siegfried Fischbacher, one half of the celebrated magic double act
“I don’t feel ready until I have magician. Siegfried & Roy, has died from pancreatic cancer in Las Vegas at
performed it several times for the age of 81.
real people, and gained a sense
of confidence about it . Things go WHAT’S THE POINT? Best known for their appearances with white lions and tigers,
wrong and at the time it’s painful, After all this effort to be Siegfried & Roy were among the biggest names in the world of
but I just turn it around as soon successful, do the rewards magic and had performed an estimated 5,000 shows for 10 million
as possible by saying “ Great, so justify the means? Are there any fans since 1990.
pleased that happened as I can fix practical, tangible benefits to
that and that’s another bad thing being a multiple winner? Shawn Fischbacher reportedly had a malignant tumour removed during
that can never happen again!” thinks there definitely are. an operation, but sadly the cancer had already spread throughout
When you feel you’ve anticipated his body. The star returned to his home in Las Vegas where he was
every possible thing that could go “Yes, winning a competition cared for by nurses before his death.
wrong and how to handle it, you opens many doors if the
gain an inner calm that will allow performer is willing to promote Siegfried’s sister Dolore confirmed the news to Das Bild, saying
you to engage more freely with the fact they won. Don’t expect to that his passing came as a relief as he could barely speak towards
your audience.” win a competition and for people the end. “He fell asleep gently and peacefully,” she added.
to beat down your door with
contracts and offers. That’s not His death comes just a few months after the passing of his beloved
TIME AND TIME AGAIN how it works. But you can send partner Roy Horn, who died from complications of COVID-19 at
Given the many challenges that out emails, flyers, videos, and the age of 75 in May 2020.
putting together a competition press releases announcing your
act throws up, it’s possibly hard success and that will certainly In a statement announcing Horn’s death, Siegfried Fischbacher
to understand why people might help to open doors for future said, “From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together,
want to do it more than once! And engagements.” would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy,
all three of our winners have not and no Roy without Siegfried.”
just simply won at several different Edward’s success has been more
events with the same act, but have recent and of course times over He later told Bild am Sonntag that his best friend would always
been successful in a number of the last year have not been in any stay by his side. “For dinner, I will continue to have the table set
completely different performance way normal, as he readily accepts. for him, too. Like it always was the case. I’m not alone,” he said.
disciplines and settings. “It’s difficult to say if I have
benefitted, especially with Fischbacher had a passion for magic from a young age. He
So, do these highly motivated performance opportunities moved from Germany to Italy, initially working in a hotel before
performers set out to become vanishing recently! I know the performing on a cruise ship, where he met Horn. Here the pair
multiple winners right from magic I choose to perform, such began a partnership that eventually became legend. We bid
the outset? For Edward his first as my Dove Act, has brought me farewell to another all-time great…
success encouraged him to do to producers’ attention. Having
more because firstly, it gave him the awards certainly helps to
a reason to improve his magic, differentiate me from other
secondly, it presented him with a magicians.”
stage to perform on and thirdly, it
created a definite deadline to work Marc has definitely reaped the
towards. benefits of his success, something
which came as an unexpected
Shawn never intended to try surprise to him.
multiple times, but after his
initial success, and the way it “Yes winning competitions did
brought him to the attention open doors. I was invited to
of other magical luminaries, he perform and lecture all over the
was encouraged to repeat the world. This was a side benefit that “This is like
‘experiment’ in order to enjoy I hadn’t realised initially when
more of the benefits. entering competitions.” torture… but it’s
Marc found himself being
encouraged by others to enter
still better than
further competitions, and working with
although he admits that trying
to repeat success does become
Michael J. Fitch!”

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 27
WHAT'S HOT WHAT'S NOT
WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET
This download ‘bundle’ of three be worth working on if that can be straight after the selection so
card sleights from Biz, Romania’s smoothed out. doesn’t allow for much else
foremost card star, is one for the to happen. It’s also difficult to
experienced card magician. A The ‘Fan Change’ is a sudden master so I don’t know if it will
control, a visual card change and visual change of a card. A card is be worth the work for its limited
a pop-out move are explained on inserted partially into the deck application.
this 18 minute selection. and fanned for display. As soon
as the deck is fanned the card has Of the above, the Simple Control
The ‘Simple Control’ is the most changed. It’s a surprising change will have the most applications
accessible one here. As the cards and will require work to perfect it, and the other two are just fancy
are spread a card is touched and but there are no suggestions as to flourishes with limited use. PP
raised for the spectator to note. what use this could be put to.
As it is lowered it is apparently What's Hot: The latest moves for
inserted face down into the Lastly, the ‘Airoh Pop’ is a pop move monkeys to master.
other hand’s spread and lost into out move following a peeked What's Not: Only one of the
the pack, although really it is selection and the most technical three sleights has very much
2020 BIZ BUNDLE controlled to the top. There is a of the three. A card is peeked application, but it has a suspicious
Biz moment where the chosen card and the deck closed and squared. appearance to it. The other
Available from goes out of sight for a millisecond Suddenly a card shoots halfway two are technically challenging
www.bigblindmedia.com and as such has a suspicious out of the deck which is the flourishes with limited use.
Price: £9.99 appearance to it, but this would selected card. This has to happen Rating: 30%

SYMPHONY MAD MAD BALLS SCUTTLE CAPITULATING

COINS Quentin Reynolds Vinny Sagoo QUEENS
RPR Magic Innovations Available from Available from James Swain
Available from www.practical-magic.com www.neomagic.co.uk Available from
www.rprmagic.com Price: £80 Price: £14.99 www.mymagic.com
Price: £100 (approx) Price: £15.00 (approx). $20
Different coloured balls repeatedly If you like 'Boris The Spider' type
A magnetic set of 4 coins appear from an empty box at the effects then you will love this. This is not a new effect but it's still
(expertly handcrafted by Roy performer's will finishing with a Scuttle is a super simple card one to take a look at. A named
Keupers) which collapse into surprise kicker ending. A great trick with shock ending. Only Queen is shown to be the odd one
1 single coin offering lots of routine for kids and adults alike basic card handling is required. out with a different coloured back
potential in the right hands. The Mad Mad Balls is a routine that Not sure cockroaches are quite as design. This is repeated with the
set are not quite as thin as RPR will engage any audience. Each scary as the 8 legged creatures but other three Queens. As a finale
suggest but this is still a great box, which does all the work for it's still quite a nice little effect. the four Queens are each shown
product. Available in 4 different you, is handcrafted by Quentin Comes with everything required to have a completely different
coin denominations. Reynolds. to perform. coloured back to each other.
Rating: 75% Rating: 85% Rating: 70% Rating: 85%

0-20% = VERY POOR 21-40% = A BIT WEAK 41-60% = REASONABLE 61-80% = GOOD 81-100% = EXCELLENT WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 29
 safety brochure reveals a giant
poster sized prediction of the film,
destination and seat number.
Finally, the orange carton is
now lifted to reveal a glass of the
correct drink has been sitting
there the whole time and the
carton is just a shell.

The methods take care of BLUFF SHIFT of seconds and I suspect more
themselves in the specially BUNDLE comfortable to perform in real
printed props allowing plenty Joshua Jay world conditions.
of space to present an engaging Available from www.
entertainment around airports, vanishingincmagic.com I was less convinced by the other
plane travel and so on to Price: £9.00 shifts described. The Table Bluff
accompany the journey that Shift is particularly cheeky and
AIRPLANE MODE takes place. It’s mentalism that The bluff shift is, arguably, fast, with a risk of being “caught”.
George Iglesias can easily be presented by those the most efficient way to get a Why use this method when much
Available from any Murphy’s who might not usually perform chosen card to a “small number” more convincing controls are
retailer or dealers contact mentalism in their act. The position from the top. A young possible? The Spread Bluff Pass
www.murphysmagic.com methods are all well known ways Robert Giobbi entranced me takes a card chosen in a spread to
Price: £62 of forcing items and together with at least 30 years ago with the the bottom, again a simple cull
the authentically printed boarding repeated optical illusion of would achieve the same result
This commercial mentalism cards, drinks menu, magazine apparently cutting the deck without the risk. The Multiple
routine comes ready to perform and safety brochure, create a stage for the return of a chosen card, Bluff Shift allows four cards to be
straight out of the box with piece that can play for 20 to 2000 which I unwittingly replaced at clearly buried at different points
professionally produced props people. You even get the orange second position. in the deck and brought to the
which take care of the methods carton, just provide a glass. top – it is “angly” and the “bluff”
for you. Themed around a flight This 20 minute download element acts as a final convincer,
journey, a spectator plays the The online video walks you video from Joshua Jay has four rather than the main strip out
part of a passenger making all the through the basics of the routine variations on the Bluff Shift plus mechanics.
choices about the flight and where but you will have to take care a bonus colour change. The
he is going. of the presentation and script quality of the video is just about The D’hôtel Colour Change is a
according to your own style and acceptable, even though for lovely effect, included because
To start with he is encouraged personality. It almost works itself some reason Josh stands in front it flows perfectly from the Bluff
to study the safety brochure so all you have to do is present of a reflective picture and there Shift. A card pops out at right
because no one ever reads it. The it. Whilst it’s not heavy duty is inadequate lighting, so the angles to the vertical deck, a wave
destination and seat number are mentalism, there is fun to be had footage is blocky, grainy and soft. of the hand and it changes to the
selected from a batch of boarding in the ‘process’ of the routine, However the instructions are selection.
cards, a drink from a drinks menu something that can’t be said of a understandable and clear.
and a film from the in-flight lot of mental routines. PP There is one short section on the
magazine. The magician begins The Revolve Shift is the headliner Erdnase Break which is worth
by trying to divine the spectator's What's Hot: Authentic technique and can be done in the the cost of the download, a clear
drink choice but serves the wrong looking quality props supplied. hands. The technique is fast and explanation of how to avoid
drink (a carton of orange) but Simple methods allowing the smooth with good consideration the need for a thumb break by
never mind, he asks the spectator presentation to be very free. of the angles. transferring a break to the front
to concentrate on all aspects of Props take up little space. Plays of the deck.
the film. for large or small audiences. There is a convincing touch
Ideal for performers who don’t a split second before the If you are attracted to the Bluff
Following this the magician can usually present mentalism. Well replacement which seals the Shift this is a useful insight into
now reveal all aspects of the structured. memory of the card going into one set of techniques. CP
flight from the seat number, What's Not: Light weight the centre of the deck.
destination, star of the film and mentalism. What's Hot: clear explanations.
title, etc, but it doesn’t end there RATING: 80% It is more “movey” and less pure The Revolve Shift, the advice
because all the flight details can than the version in Card College, on the Erdnase break and the
now be shown to have been in which emphasises conditioning D’hôtel Colour Change are all
plain sight in the pictures of the the spectator beforehand and particularly worthy.
safety brochure the spectator was the illusion of the balance of the What's Not: poor video quality,
reading at the start. deck becoming thinner when the better ways of achieving the Table
pack is cut. Josh Jay’s handling is and Spread Bluff Shifts.
Was he subconsciously fast, bullet proof, over in a couple Rating: 50%
influenced? Fully unfolding the

30 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE
 There are pros and cons to expect these to be at the very
both methods, in the sense that start of the video so that you can
the presentation has different see what it is that you are trying
strengths and weaknesses to achieve and can be enthused
depending on which route you by the strong reaction of the
decide on. Neither can be said spectators. Having them at the
to be definitively better than end means this motivation and
the other, so it comes down to clarity of objective is completely
personal choice. I would certainly lost and feels like an afterthought.
recommend watching the video
all the way through first before My overall feeling with Gypsy
making any decision. Queen is that the plot of the CATCH ME & WIN
trick itself is a bit confusing for Gene Maze
Although the basic concept of the spectators to understand to start Available from
GYPSY QUEEN trick is straightforward, you do with, and even the revelation of www.mymagic.com
Asi Wind need to have the skills to perform what has happened at the end is Price: £75.00
Available from a good Top Change and also be in some ways puzzling. I think the
www.vanishingincmagic.com adept at handling a stacked deck. reason is that the presentation This is a fantastic chain routine
Price: £43.50 It doesn’t matter what the stack makes the spectator anticipate ideal for anyone interested
is (new deck order, Tamariz, that he is involved in one plot in gambling scams. It's a
This is an idea which can be Aronson etc), but for the trick to line, but at the end this turns out combination of the Fast & Loose
presented in two or three different work seemlessly you must be slick to be completely spurious as it is and Three Card Monte premises.
ways, although the end result is in locating cards within it. You revealed that something entirely
basically the same. Essentially a also need to be able to perform different has in fact happened. A wooden block holding three
spectator thinks of any card and a cull and possibly affect a deck Although on one level this is metal pegs is shown and a long
then physically selects another. switch confidently. I think this a cute twist, on another, the chain is wrapped around each
The chosen card is the QH, and on moves the effect itself out of the spectators may take a few seconds peg. Only one of the pegs will
careful examination of this Queen, beginner category and well into to understand what has just 'catch' the chain - the other two
the spectator sees that the Queen the intermediate skill range, so occurred, leading to a potentially will set the chain free. To win the
is actually holding a playing card bear this in mind. limp and drawn out conclusion. game, the spectator has to select
that matches the one thought of the peg which catches the chain.
by him initially. The instructions are a bit Overall I’m not convinced by No matter how hard they try they
odd. Asi performs the various this effect, neither in terms of never win even when the game
You receive two decks of poker presentations to a woman friend the method nor with the plot. is made easier but reducing the
sized cards. One is a special deck of his who seems a bit on edge At the price asked it also seems number of pegs used.
comprising of all QHs with each being filmed. He then explains expensive, especially since you
card showing the Queen holding how the trick is done to her, which have a lot of preparation work to The secret is very simple and you
one of the other cards from the given she’s not a magician herself do yourself before you can use will have the basic routine down
deck so that all the 52 cards are by all accounts, seems a strange one of the main methods. Some in no time at all. Online tutorials
covered. The other deck is simply choice. At one point he asks her people will love this, I’m sure, but explain everything. There are
a matching regular deck, although whether she realised during the personally I was left feeling it isn’t teachings from both Meir Yedid
every card in this deck (and in performance how the trick was worth the effort or the price. ML and Harry Lorayne. Harry
fact in the other pack) are also done, and her reply is, “No, but I teaches Gene's original method
marked. do now!” What's Hot: professionally and routine. There's even footage
produced decks which handle well of Gene performing his routine.
On the online instructional video These explanations I found (they’re not Bicycle cards), good
Asi explains that there are two unclear and a bit hard to follow clear marking system The props are very well made
different ways to set this effect at times. I think Asi must have What's Not: slightly confusing and will last a lifetime if looked
up. One will require quite a lot of realised this because he then goes plot, too much preparation work after properly.
one-time work (and probably an through each explanation all over of the cards required considering
extra purchase of some necessary again just to camera, and in these the price asked, instructional If you like this type of routine
produce), the other does not versions he’s much more relaxed video could do with some then this is a no brainer. PS
require any extra preparation. You and explains the handlings far tightening up
need to decide which method you more clearly. I don’t know why he Rating: 41% What's Hot: Great routine with
want to follow because if you elect didn’t just use these and dispense quality props
to go down the first route, the with the other ones, to be honest. What's Not: The inclusion of a
work you need to do to set it up velvet bag would have been
will mean you can’t perform the The video ends with three live a nice to carry the props
other method if you change your performances of the routine to around in.
mind! lay people. Normally you would Rating: 85%

0-20% = VERY POOR 21-40% = A BIT WEAK 41-60% = REASONABLE 61-80% = GOOD 81-100% = EXCELLENT WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 31
MAGIC BY NUMB3RS
Compiled by Mark Leveridge

18 The number of
Copperfield TV
specials that were
broadcast between
1977 and 2001

2,023 The number of years since the first

documented mention of the Cups and Balls

The number
of tricks invented
by Jay Sankey -
since yesterday

1,628,905 12 The number of magicians killed attempting

the Bullet Catch

The number
of magicians who

35,000
joined Vanishing Inc’s
free online magic
event (ShareMagic)
in April 2020

32 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE