Issue No. 1

MORGAN STREBLER Lite MAN OF STEEL PLUS: REVIEWS FRANKENSTEIN MAGIC BURNOUT

HenryNEW Harrius KID ON THE BLOCK!

THE OPENER

A WORD FROM THE

EDITORelcome to taster of what we included in the selection of some of the many opposed to the semi-skimmed, Magicseen regular full version. product reviews from the May we are happy to invite you to Lite! We’ll edition too. subscribe (details inside), as admit that we So, inside you will find our feature then you will not only receive are excited to article on cover star Henry Add to this interesting adverts every two months the full edition, be able to offer Harrius, a whizz if ever there was from some of the more important but also get it a month before Wyou the chance to experience with Rubik’s Cube magic, and we magic suppliers from around the Lite version hits the streets. some of what Magicseen is also get up close and personal the world, and we hope you’ll Subscribers also get 20% off all about with this special with Morgan Strebler, who has agree with us when we contend every book order they make with version of the May 2019 a very individual approach to his that this is an interesting mix. Magicseen too. But the choice issue. magic life. Our intention is to provide a Lite is yours. version a month after each future Magicseen Lite is a digital only Dominic Reyes provides a issue is released, so if you like Either way, welcome to the edition and can be downloaded thought provoking article on this one, look out for the next on Magicseen fold! completely free! Inside you will how to prevent yourself suffering the 1st August. find some of the contents from from magic burnout, we include Mark Leveridge our latest issue (#86 May 2019), one of the routines from the Of course, if you want the full providing you with a teaser and a Masterclass trick section and a fat version of Magicseen as CONTENTS A Word From The Editor ...... 5 Henry Harrius...... 6 Masterclass...... 16 Morgan Strebler...... 22 Magic Frankenstein...... 27 Putting Out The Fires...... 30 Shawn Farquhar Live Review...... 31 Product Reviews...... 34

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 5 HENRY HARRIUS HENRY HARRIUS

6 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - LITE - ISSUE 1 HENRY HARRIUS

FROM DREAMS TO REALITY... Trends come and go in magic. Very few endure. Not since the boom in the mid-2000s has the magic world seen a trend as popular as Rubik’s cube magic. Magicians around the world have found an affinity with the world’s bestselling puzzle toy. Amongst those magicians, there are a handful who are leading the charge - developing new algorithms, creating ingenious gimmicks, and pushing the boundaries of what we thought to be possible with the famous cube. Standing head and shoulders above the rest is Henry Harrius. He has defined a genre of magic which shows no sign of slowing down. Magicseen chats to HENry!

orn in New Zealand, his parents moved back to their native Hong Kong when he was two years old. Henry grew up and still lives in the bustling metropolis which rises out of the South China Sea. B

As we sit down to talk, Henry is relaxed, bearing a warm smile.

“Henry Harrius is not actually my real name. It’s my performance name. My surname is actually ‘Chan’, so my birth name is ‘Chan Henry Ling Yan’. I made up ‘Harrius’ years ago because I wanted something that was easy for others to remember. It’s very common to do this in Asia.”

Before talking about magic, we are curious to find out about Henry’s other interests, as we’ve heard he’s a man of many talents! “I love music. I sing and I play the guitar. I’ve not had lessons - I’m self-taught - but I really enjoy the process of learning and practising.

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 7 HENRY HARRIUS

Magic is like my life. Magic is me and I am the magic. Some days, I feel like if you took magic away from me, there would be nothing left.

8 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - LITE - ISSUE 1 HENRY HARRIUS

My older brother (Levin Chan) is actually a professional flautist in Hang Zhou, China. Magic became a vehicle for me. It helped me come He’s absolutely fantastic and is well known amongst his peers. I’m not as good as him, out of my shell. I became less nervous around so perhaps that’s why I focused on magic”, Henry laughs. other people. It gave me a reason to talk to

If you follow Henry on social media, it won’t strangers, and to look at them in the eye. take you long to realise that he’s busy. Really busy. Quizzing him about his schedule, I was hardly surprised to learn that the next few weeks include trips to three continents, magic world. In this case, it was born out of a I would have turned out if it hadn’t been for multiple private shows, a shy childhood. magic!” and two TV appearances. “I was an introverted child. I didn’t have Who was the first magician you saw live that We ask how he is able to maintain such a much confidence and speaking to strangers really made an impact on you? Instantly, gruelling schedule and remain so relaxed. made me really nervous.” Henry responds, “Tamariz. Seeing Juan “Magic is like my life. Magic is me and I Tamariz’s performance at FISM 2009, in am the magic. Some days, I feel like if you Then came along one TV special that would Beijing, was life changing for me. I was took magic away from me, there would be change Henry’s life forever. young but I was completely attentive. In the nothing left. That’s a good thing and a bad time I spent with him, I remember being in thing and sometimes I just have to remind “David Copperfield’s TV specials in the a state of constant disbelief. Juan showed us myself that it’s important to explore other 1990s changed everything for me. It was what magic is. It’s like he was whispering in areas of life too. But I love what I do so it because of him that I discovered magic. My my ear: “Henry, do not forget this feeling: the doesn’t feel like work.” Mum and Auntie bought me books and first time you witness real magic”. I’m forever magic sets and like so many kids in that grateful for that experience and I have been As we discuss some of his most recent trips, position, I became besotted by it all.” lucky enough to spend some time with him to China and Russia, I am reminded of how since. For any magicians out there who modest Henry is. He’s always the first to pay Henry continues, “Magic became a vehicle have not seen Tamariz live. I suggest you do someone else a compliment and he effusively for me. It helped me come out of my shell. I everything within your reach to make sure talks about the talents of his friends around became less nervous around other people. It that you do. It should be a pilgrimage for the world. This combination of humility gave me a reason to talk to strangers, and to every magician on earth!” and gentle confidence is seldom seen in the look at them in the eye. I often wonder how

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 9 HENRY HARRIUS

...I spent 3 years, pushing myself harder than I ever had. Trying, failing, and trying again. You know what? I still can’t believe I actually did it

Fast forward fifteen years and the shy, introverted young magician had become a well-established performer in Hong Kong. But Henry had his sights set higher. His constant determination to better himself was taking him all over Asia, performing for a smorgasbord of prestigious clients. It was not until 2013, though, that he began to make waves in the magic world. In quick succession, he won two large regional competitions: The Hong Kong Close-up Magic Open Contest and the Asian Close-up Magic Association contest. Then came FISM.

10 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - LITE - ISSUE 1 HENRY HARRIUS

“Winning in FISM changed my life.” Henry pauses. “It was a landmark achievement in my life. I spent 3 years, pushing myself harder than I ever had. Trying, failing, and trying again. You know what? I still can’t believe I actually did it. I stepped onto the stage in Rimini in front of the best magicians in the world, many of them my heroes. I got to show the world my original creations and my act. Even now, that whole experience feels like a dream.”

However, the build up to FISM wasn’t as glamorous as one may presume. Smiling, and shaking his head, Henry sighs and explains, “It certainly wasn’t all plain sailing! In the days leading up to FISM there were three huge challenges that I had to overcome. Firstly, the week before I was due to fly to Italy, there was a problem with my passport. Suddenly, everything I had worked for felt like it was crumbling around me. I almost gave up. I thought I’d never make it to Italy after all. But at the last minute, I got a call to tell me that I would be able to fly! I was elated. It was a huge relief… but there were more problems to come.” I’ve always felt that in Hong Kong, magic is As Henry recounts the events, he reassures me that it’s all true. “When I got to the not respected as an art. Culturally, I think arrivals hall in Italy, I was informed that my easel had been lost in transit. It was a people are more skeptical than they are in, say, disaster. My entire act relied on this one prop and now… I didn’t have it.” America. For that reason, quality counts.

(You can see Henry’s FISM act online) with anything. I have a real passion for so be brutal, but it has also created a thriving many branches of magic: cards, coins, even community of highly skilled magicians.” “I’d made it this far, so I was not going to .” give up easily. So, the search began to find a Winter 2016 was a penny drop moment for replacement easel. Trust me, it’s the sort of Riding the back of his success at FISM, me. We were aware of Henry, especially in item that’s not easy to find in a foreign city! Henry was soon being offered scores of high- light of his FISM performance, but we had But we hit lucky. We found a restaurant near end corporate events and TV appearances not met him. Out of the blue, we received the convention centre with an easel that was across the eastern hemisphere. Before long, an email about a project he was working on: perfect. The owner allowed me to test it out some of the world’s largest brands, including “Rubik’s Dream”. but as I was doing so, he accidentally stepped Tiffany, Adidas and Ted Baker were all on the Rubik’s mosaic. It was completely seeking out Henry’s unique skill sets. All In the Magicseen inbox was a YouTube link. destroyed.” withstanding, being a profession magician in We clicked it, and we watched. Then we Hong Kong was not easy. watched it again. And again. And again. Laughing harder, Henry says. “Anyway, long story short, in the nick of time, we managed “I’ve always felt that in Hong Kong, magic Henry had a created a gimmick that was to fix it and my performance went better is not respected as an art. Culturally, I think so far ahead of anything that had preceded than I could have hoped.” people are more skeptical than they are it that we were knocked for six. It took in, say, America. For that reason, quality us back to opening a magic set as a child. FISM 2015 was a year lauded for its counts.” Everything about it filled us with wonder remarkable line up of talent. Henry finished and excitement. Rubik’s Dream was the on the podium, taking third place in Henry is the most in-demand professional first in a line of products that had set a new the Parlour category and receiving rave magician in Hong Kong, but he explains why precedent for Cube magic gimmicks. These reviews from the thousands of magicians complacency mustn’t set in. “Hong Kong gaffs are hyper-realistic, expertly made and in attendance. Overnight, his Rubik’s Cube is a large city with plenty of opportunities designed with professional magicians in magic had become legendary. Little did he but amongst magicians there is a lot of mind- complete with full routines. In many know the impact he would go on to have. competition. Of the 100 or so working ways, they are the ideal magic products. magicians in Hong Kong, probably only “You know, it’s funny looking back. I don’t 20 are able to make it their full-time living. Having never had the opportunity to ask, we really see myself as a “cube magician”. I want Clients have such high standards that it really were intrigued to find out what had attracted people to think I can do amazing things is a case of survival of the fittest. That can Henry to cube magic in the first place.

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 11 HENRY HARRIUS

the inspiration for the routine came from. “Many years ago, there was a Japanese master (unknown) who invented an ungimmicked cube toss solve. He taught it to Shoot Ogawa. Shoot Ogawa then taught this to a Singaporian magician, Jeremy Pei. Michael Lam then learned it from Jeremy, and he tried to create his own version. Later on, Michael showed me his version. So, it was Michael who introduced me to cube magic.” Henry jokingly takes a deep breath…

“After seeing Michael’s solve, I was hooked. I kept playing with variations to try and make it better. Eventually, I developed my own version, in which all sides are shown, yet when you toss the cube into the air, it solves itself. From there, it was my mentor, Alex Ng, who pushed me to create a routine with a c u b e .”

Knowing the controversy surrounding the origins of the “Rubik’s Nightmare” routine, I ask Henry for his point of view. In a dejected tone, he responds, “It is a fairly upsetting series of events. The abridged version is that another magician decided to publish my I think that cube magic appeals to magicians routine without my permission. This hurt me, and I am told it even had repercussions because it combines everything that we are at FISM Asia, where it was presumed that my act was not original. Frankly, I don’t already familiar with. A Rubik’s Cube is similar like to think about it anymore, but the story does have a more positive ending I suppose. to a pack of cards. I ended up using the circumstances as my motivation to take my routine to FISM 2015. Winning a prize there was a dream come “There are many reasons. I had seen Usui true and validated the routine as mine. In Takamiz, Garrett Thomas and Karl Hein. fact, that is why I decided to call my brand of They laid the foundations for all of this, so I products “Rubik’s Dream”. If you work hard Quickfire owe an enormous debt to them.” for what you believe in, your dreams can come true!” Thinking for a few moments, he continues, Questions “I think that cube magic appeals to The Rubik’s Dream line of products are magicians because it combines everything exquisite. Not only have Henry and his team Favourite band? that we are already familiar with. A Rubik’s created a revolutionary set of cube gimmicks Ummm…. there are too many! Cube is similar to a pack of cards. It’s that have redefined an entire genre of magic, colourful. It has many possibilities. It can be but they have also manufactured some of the Favourite food? shuffled. It can even be false shuffled! It also finest magic gimmicks ever produced. At the Rice. has parallels with too. You can time of writing, Henry has just released the put a shell onto it! For laymen, I think they Venom Cube which is the latest evolution Last movie you watched? also enjoy the fact it’s a familiar object but of the matching cube plot. It is being hailed Antman 2! also, it breaks the stereotype of a magician. by magicians across the world as the perfect You don’t typically associate a magician with method for a routine that so many others What three things do you a Rubik’s Cube.” have attempted. What is even more exciting always carry with you? is that Henry is not slowing down. We ask 1. My wallet Henry pauses, chuckles, and quips, “well… what the future has in store, both for him, 2. My iPhone maybe you do nowadays. Cube magic seems and for the Rubik’s Dream brand. 3. My keys (a special version of the key to be more popular than card magic on master) social media at the moment!”. “The most exciting things are still to come”, he grins, and we laugh. And we believe If you could have dinner Henry is most well-known for creating The him… with any person from history, “Rubik’s Nightmare” plot. The premise is who would it be? simple: you match the outcome of a freely *The full line of Rubik’s Dream products is David Copperfield and . mixed up Rubik’s Cube before solving the available at Vanishing Inc. cube as you toss it into the air. I ask where

12 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - LITE - ISSUE 1 Nothing to learn or remember | Self contained | New and Exciting Visual Mentalism DICEY BOOK TEST A spectator has a free choice of one of three different book titles. Two dice are used to arrive at a page number in the selected book. The number arrived at is written on a slate and then the numbers on the dice are used to arrive at a line and word. The performer then announces the meaning of the sentence and the EXACT WORD arrived at by the numbers on the dice.

£135 Everything is supplied: Special Wipe Clean Slate and +P&P Marker Pen, Special Books and Dice. www.kovarimagic.com 1 Scotts Close, Stock Hammond, Bucks, MK17 9RQ England Tel: 01525 270536 Email: [email protected] ezmagic_ad_HEAVY.pdf 1 4/15/19 11:44 AM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K ezmagic_ad_HEAVY.pdf 1 4/15/19 11:44 AM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K THE TRICKS MASTER CLASS

choose, which can generate some Remind the participant that they get interesting moments. You have a a prize for winning, and offer them 2 OUT OF 3 WILL great deal of space to have fun the paper ball, stating, “This is for Simon Caine during each round, covered as you you, and there is something on there are by your outs. for you to say.” The participant will (Extracted, with permission, from Abstractions, read the prediction as if it refers to the lecture notes of Simon Caine. At the conclusion there are only them, “I (the participant) will win two 5four outcomes to the game: games out of three.” See a review in issue 85, p.48) You win all three games: in this case, you have no need for either You lose all three games: Remind prediction, the outcome speaks the participant that they get a prize, The performer explains that he and the participant are for itself because you stated at the and suggest that they can have about to play three rounds of Which Hand?, but that outset that you would influence them. whatever they want from inside your he is confident that he will be able to influence the wallet. Gesture for them to open it, outcome, even offering the participant a prize should You win two games: open up the and of course the only thing they will they win. paper ball, and read what you have find is your prediction. The wording written on it aloud yourself. “I (the on the prediction often gets a laugh, A small ball of rolled up paper is hidden in either of performer) will win two games out since at this point the participant the performer’s hands, and three times the participant of three.” feels like they got one over on you tries to find the object. Regardless of the participant’s by resisting your influence, but you choices, they are left with indisputable proof that the You win one game: in other words, now prove that you knew they would performer knew what would happen all along. the participant wins two out of three. do that.

SET-UP and you get to guess where it is. If You need to prepare two ‘outs’. you get it right, you win, if not, I win. Take a business card and write We’ll play the best of three.” on the blank back the following: “Congratulations on winning all three Take out the ball of paper, place rounds. I KNEW you couldn’t be 3it behind your back, and play the influenced! ;)” Place this card into an game. Whatever happens from here otherwise empty wallet. onwards you are covered, so you can really wring as much out of the Now tear out a small sheet of game as possible with some fun paper from a notebook, and write pseudo-influence statements: (including the quotation marks): “Totally free choice, just choose “I will win two games out of three!” whichever hand feels right to you”. Screw this up into a small ball, and (If they won the previous round) place this into a pocket. This is the “Don’t worry, I left you win that one.” small object you will be playing the “Ok, just one game left.”Hopefully games of Which Hand? with. you get the idea. Most of the group should pick up on these very WORKING obvious statements, and they get a After you introduce yourself to the bit of a laugh seeing if the participant 1 group, place the not-quite-empty ‘falls’ for them or not. wallet on the table and explain the game. It’s worth mentioning at this point, 4 that although the participant can “I’d like to play a little game with technically lose the game, it's very 2 one of you, but fair warning, I important not to frame this as a will be trying to influence you. In serious confrontational challenge, fact, I think I know exactly what will especially if this effect is your first happen, so if you win, you get a interaction with a group. It should prize. Sound good? Excellent, so be kept light and fun. You can also it’s very simple: I’m going to hide a involve the group by asking other ball of paper in one of my hands, people which hand they would

16 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - Lite - issue 1

AddAdd aa bitbit moremore k k u u . .

o o ccoolloouurr c c to your cards

. to your cards . c c i i g g a a

M ADVERT M t t . . e e l n l n b b u a u a d d o r r o o o f f c c f f a a s s

c c i i g g D i D i a a . . m m

w w g g n n i i w w k k a a w M M w DecksDecks fromfrom £2.00£2.00 eacheach

Prices correct 24/3/2019. E&OE. Coming soon Short Dark Tales for Long Dark Nights A very different new book from The Black Hart Sign up for updates blackhart.co.uk

“Beautiful to Watch.” -

A new modern routine by Danny Goldsmith

CopelandCoins.com “THE BEST DECK VANISH THAT I’VE EVER SEEN.” “INCREDIBLY VISUAL AND CONVINCINGLY MAGICAL.” CYRIL VANISH A BORROWED DECK WITH

AVAILABLE NOW | “THE BEST DECK VANISH THAT I’VE EVER SEEN.” “INCREDIBLY VISUAL AND CONVINCINGLY MAGICAL.” DAVID BERGLAS CYRIL VANISH A BORROWED DECK WITH

AVAILABLE NOW | MORGAN STREBLER MAN Morgan OF STEEL!

StreblerFor more than the last decade, Morgan Strebler has been touring the world with his illusion show, and he has performed in Las Vegas for eight years. From largescale illusion shows to mind-boggling PsychoKinetic close-up magic on TV shows around the globe, he really is a one-man magic Tsunami! Graham Hey asks the questions

e meet for a coffee at the Shortly after seeing his show, I met my first absolutely invaluable in helping me hone my Blackpool Convention, where magic mentor, Jeanie Williams. She had a craft. the instantly likeable fellow huge number of stage props and illusions, and begins by telling me that he she let me use them all! More importantly, “I was a ‘sponge’, and she filled me with all grew up as an only child in she taught me how to present them on the finer points of magic and performance. a small Midwest community stage with seamless choreography, classic She also taught me to think outside the box Wof about 17,000 population. “My dad was techniques, and body language. And, her and question the norm. In my early 20’s, my an entrepreneur and my mother worked mantra stuck with me... ‘Always entertain second mentor, , came into my in a state government position,” says your audience!’” life. As an international superstar, Franz used Morgan. “I loved the outdoors, swimming, a ‘no holds barred’ approach to teach me fishing, biking... the things that most But Morgan’s career has been much everything he knew about illusions, including kids enjoy. But, I always was very creative more than skillful magic expertise – he is nuances and techniques very few ever see. To, and absolutely fascinated by magic, acknowledged as a brilliant marketing man. I this day, I do Franz’s show when he can’t!” entertaining, and performing!” ask him if he always had a flair for marketing and publicity? He laughs, “I learned early on, So, were you an illusionist from the start? You started performing very young – what ‘Know what you know and know what you “Yes, during my early years as a professional sort of stuff did you do at first? And who were don’t know... and don’t ever mix up the two!’ magician, I actually was a large-scale the magicians that first inspired you? “In Keeping that truism in mind helped me avoid illusionist! To this day, I still perform them the early stages of my career evolution, I many potholes in life - and motivated me to and have a custom, multi-million-dollar utilised the simple props typically contained expand my knowledge in as many areas as show filling two tractor trailers. I got into in a beginner’s magic kit.” He tells me that possible. I also soon realised great talent never mentalism and unusual, cutting-edge magic seeing his first live magic performance left seen, enjoyed, and appreciated is wasted. when the bottom fell out of illusion shows in an indelible impression on his mind and So, I learned about publicity and marketing as Las Vegas. I will always love and be interested sealed his decision to be a professional much as possible through several mentors on in all kinds of magic... and continue to push magician. Says Morgan, “I was so fortunate the subjects.” the envelope by exclusively creating new and to witness the artistry of the legendary Harry exciting areas of the art form.” Blackstone, Jr. His iconic floating light bulb So what were your strengths as a young went right past my face. I was totally hooked... performer? And more importantly, what I hear you’ve also been doing acting, as well as and mesmerised! made you different? “As a young performer, your magic? “Yes, in recent years, I have acted I was very fortunate to possess supreme in several small movie roles and thoroughly “Several years later, I witnessed confidence, a strong work ethic, and a enjoyed each gig. Honestly, I would like to do David Cooperfield’s iconic artistry in Las boundless desire to learn and grow. These are more acting going forward. It is a different Vegas. His performance ensured big illusions rare traits to have at an early age. They were way for me to channel my pent-up creativity!” would always be a key part of my repertoire. instilled in me by Jean Williams and were

22 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - Lite - issue 1 MORGAN STREBLER Morgan Strebler

I learned early on, ‘Know what you know and know what you don’t know... and don’t ever mix up the two!’

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 23 MORGAN STREBLER

When did you start performing in casinos the fact Criss was constantly using camera and nightclubs in Las Vegas? “I started tricks and doing stuff no one could perform performing there in 2003. Longer term live. I felt like it was deceptive to viewers performance engagements included four and detrimental to the integrity of magic. years at the Bellagio, two years at Caesar’s So, I challenged him. Our feud reached its Palace, and another two in a variety show at peak when I got the cover of a magazine the Hard Rock.” entitled, The Man Fears. It went back and forth for a while. Finally, I So where did bending steel come in to this apologised after realising it’s his career, and – you created a big impact in this area… I was being petty.” You have to like Morgan, Morgan continues once he gets a moment as as he says it how it is, even if it’s not in his magic fans stop to say hello as we chat. “Years favour. It’s refreshing to interview someone ago, I met an agent who gave me the following who ‘wears their heart on their sleeve’, and advice, ‘If you want to work in Vegas, you Morgan reveals that he has bipolar disorder, gotta have something different from every OCD, and generalised anxiety disorder. other magician!’ I went home, did some serious soul-searching, and began bending Morgan is constantly travelling both forks in a bunch of different and crazy ways. domestically and internationally and his Gradually, one particular design/technique last two tours have taken him to London, levitated above the others!” Thousands Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, Milan, Sydney of hours of practice and refinement later, and New Zealand. “Being away from my Morgan finally reaped the reward from the family is hard. I am always wishing they were QUICKIES WITH huge investment of his time, talent, and there to see and experience what I do. I’ve creativity. “The shock and awe of spectators been working globally for the past ten years. MORGAN around the world validated I had truly earned And sometimes, I’m on the road up to eight the title of the world’s greatest psycho-kinetic months a year.” What are the key things (PK) metal bender! you need to succeed in the What are you working on at the moment? magic world? “However, my greatest personal satisfaction “I’m currently working on a new TV series Never take “NO” for an answer! And, don’t and pride came when , the scheduled to air next year. I’ve got a new type let anyone say you’re not good enough to celebrated illusionist, mentalist, and fabled of show percolating in my head and may seek make it in this business! As a kid from a metal bender, said, ‘Morgan Strebler is an out another permanent venue in the coming small Midwest farm town, I’m living proof amazingly skilled performer, his acts look months... maybe back in Las Vegas. That an ordinary guy with a dream, willing to like they are straight out of The Matrix. would also allow me to spend more time with work hard, and refusing to give up can Morgan is charismatic and uses his talents in my family. My sons won’t be young forever.” make it. a most convincing manner, he is a master in combining his personality with his acts. If you You’ve had an amazing career, but are you Off the top of your head, want to be astonished and entertained book happy with the way it’s worked out so far? which performers have been him now! He will blow your minds! He bends He laughs, “I’m very happy with it! Sure, inspirational to you? cutlery better than I do!’” over the years I’ve made some mistakes. But, Wow, there are so many! But, to name a they’ve helped to shape me into the person few... David Copperfield, Franz Harary, Have you always been a confident I am today. And, my career has given me Peter Turner, and Michael Murray. person? “Yes, to a certain extent. But, memories, professional relationships, and obviously, my confidence has grown over the personal satisfaction beyond my wildest Is there an area you’d like years with maturity, experience, and success. dreams as a kid!” to move into which excites On stage, I’m in a zone. It is a zone supported you? by focus, passion for the art, and desire to So how has the magic and This may be a shocker! I would love to give entertain my audience. In real life, I’m very entertainment industry changed over the comedy magic a go!!! goofy and play a lot of jokes on friends and years? “The amount of progress made in family!” our industry is nothing short of mind- Do you still have the booking boggling! The creativity and talent of this new agency? You conceived a multi-million-dollar illusion generation of magicians is amazing. No, but I have a great manager, Dan show – was that for Vegas? Who were the Hodgkinson! financial backers? “Yes, my large-scale, “Since the industry is constantly evolving, custom-made illusion show was built in Las every magic professional must evolve and Last great magic you saw Vegas for Vegas. But, it was also designed adapt and grow... or one day be left behind. I live? for both domestic and international tours in think all of these changes are driven by the Peter Turner was phenomenal at Blackpool bigger venues and arenas. Always supportive entertainment appetites and preferences of a in the Ruskin Hotel! in so many ways, my Dad funded the bigger and more sophisticated group of magic construction of my illusion shows.” fans. And, per my personal experience, the If you had a different next generation of young, technologically- occupation, what would it be? Many people remember all the publicity savvy magic fans will be the largest and most I would want to be a veterinarian. I love regarding you and Criss Angel - and your demanding ever!” and adore animals! challenge. How did that come about and how was everything resolved? “I didn’t like

24 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - LITE - ISSUE 1 MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

WORLD-CLASS HEADQUARTERS, LIBRARY, LECTURES AND LIVE STREAMED EVENTS.

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN US?

WWW.THEMAGICCIRCLE.CO.UK

FRANKENSTEIN

WE ASKED WORLD MAGIC CHAMP SHAWN FARQUHAR TO PUT TOGETHER A MAGIC FRANKENSTEIN USING THE BEST BITS OF OTHER MAGICIANS…. THIS IS THE RESULT!

SHAWN'S MAGIC FRANKENSTEIN

The brains of Jerry Andrus, the memory of John Gilliland, the humour and timing of Tony Eng, the mechanical brilliance of , the story telling of , the class of Channing Pollock, the knowledge of , the hands of Cardini, the wonder of and the style of David Copperfield… oh and my hair, since every great performer should have one obvious flaw!

Says Shawn, “I could have listed so many other great magicians and their attributes but the list would never end. Some of the names may not be known to all Magicseen readers, but I had the opportunity to meet all of them and they each gave me the same gift, their time.”

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 27 Only once in YEARS do you witness a release to the mentalism community that absolutely blows you away and exceeds all expectations. Looch’s Article sets the bar for the most fooling and practical system for predictions! This utility device goes way beyond headline predictions and also gives you the ability to devastate with a squeaky clean Confab routine. Also, the ideas he presents and deep thought involved in his teaching are top notch. I was Innovative boutique mentalism for real-world performers, created beyond impressed by this product and give it my highest by award winning UK Mindreader & Mentalist Looch. Each recommendation. product is the result of years of professional development and Oz Pearlman - AGT Finalist : Praise for Article V.2 refinement, and is designed and manufactured to be used reliably day in day out, creating powerful, exciting moments for YOUR audiences. Visit the site today to receive Looch’s FREE ebook ‘Negotiating Gigs’ and learn the secrets Find out why workers trust Read My Mind. of negotiating with bookers to get the gigs you REALLY want with the fee you deserve.

JOE MOGAR Knives and Coins www.joemogar.com

HAND CUT STRIPPER DECKS www.handcut-stripper decks.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.CO.UK 28 DO YOU LIKE MAGICSEEN LITE?

Issue No. 79 Vol 14. No.1 March 2018 ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL MAGICIANS Issue No. 80 Vol 14. No.2 M 2018 ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL MAGICIANS Issue No. 81 Vol 14. No.3 July 2018 ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL MAGICIANS

DOC EASON BRENDAN CRIKEY, Still Propping Up RODRIGES WE’VE GOT A the Bar... i to MAGIC iv SINGH NEW LOOK!! Our Man In India NERD ALERT! It’s Fritz Alkemade GEORGE IGLESIAS RIB WHO’S ALAKAAM TICKLERS THE KID? ACADEMY COMEDY FREDDIE CLASSICS DAVIES PUBLIC THE SPEAKING SESSION UP-CLOSE

JohnBIG TALENT, BIG TOUR! Archer MorganOR FORT & TM West TRR LucaA LIFE OF LUXURY! Volpe

Issue No. 83 Vol 14. No.5 November 2018 ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL MAGICIANS Issue No. 82 Vol 14. No.4 September 2018 ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL MAGICIANS Issue No. 84 Vol 14. No.6 January 2019 ESSENTIAL READING FOR ALL MAGICIANS

SHAWN SHAHID FARQUHAR SHOW DON FOOLS US! A BIT OF JOHNSON'S MALIK'S MAGIC MAGIC BINGO CHARACTER VICE!

NOEL BRITTEN IN THE BATH ALYSON MEL MELLERS HANNIGAN CAPTAIN KIRK ARE LOOKALIKES MAGIC BORIS WILD ONE LINERS! CONVENTIONS NEIL DOOMED? MASTERCLASS KELSO THE GROUP POCKET OF THREE Mr Motivator! MANAGEMENT Mike McClean Alan Hudson RyanFIENDISH INSchlutz FLORIDA! MENTALISM WITH BIG LAUGHS COMEDY MAGIC AT HIS FINGER TIPS! Photo: Sandra Vijandi

THEN WHY NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE FULL VERSION OF MAGICSEEN TODAY TO SEE WHAT ELSE YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON... MAGICSEEN.COM MAGIC BURNOUT Putting Out The Fires How To Prevent Magic Burnout BY Dominic Reyes

70% of total beginners drift away from learning Some magicians are SO good at what they do We’ve all seen it happen… magic within 6 months of ordering their first that it can be intimidating for new magicians; You introduce a friend to the fascinating world of proper magic trick, book or DVD. The remaining they’re struggling to make ONE card vanish magic tricks, and they get HOOKED. Suddenly, magicians tend to stay studying magic long term while other magicians are making TWENTY they’re pulling out a deck of cards everywhere (5 years+). cards vanish. you go. They’re practising their double lifts on the bus, perfecting their coin vanishes at work, So the question becomes: how do we keep I know that this is something I personally found and busting out their favourite tricks on everyone ourselves interested in magic for the first 6 difficult. I would look at all the complex sleights they meet. months and beyond without getting ‘burnt out’? and moves and get frustrated that I was still stuck on more basic ones. Your brain tempts ‘There’s no rush,’ you tell them. ‘You’ll burn out!’ Here are four of the most common mistakes you into thinking you’ll never be good enough— But they don’t seem to notice. They carry on that lead to this problem, and the steps you can so you should just give up. practising magic fanatically… until a few months take to prevent them from happening to you (or down the line, they quit. someone you know). The key to avoiding this magic burnout is taking it one step at a time. This is a common—and worrying—occurrence that happens ALL the time. Mistake No.1 If you want to be able to vanish ten cards at Getting too caught up in the big once, don’t make that your initial goal. Make People are introduced to the hobby and fall picture your initial goal vanishing ONE card—something in love at first sight. They stock up on all the Something that can be overwhelming for much more achievable. Once you’ve got one equipment they need, and get going. But it all new magicians (and cause them to quit) card down, bump your goal up to TWO cards. becomes too much for them, and life gets in is becoming too obsessed with perfecting Then, make your next goal THREE cards, and the way. their . They might watch a so on until you hit your goal of ten. performance by a great card mechanic like In fact, statistics from our research at the Richard Turner, and allow themselves to think Breaking your goals down into manageable Merchant of Magic have shown that almost ‘I’ll never be that good’. steps is a great practice for not only magic, but

30 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - Lite - issue 1 LIVE REVIEW

There’s no quicker way to get bored with doing magic than performing to the same crowd EVERY time. It’s going to take the excitement out of magic for both you and the audience. life as a whole. It will help you avoid becoming they need to master it straight away. So they overwhelmed by the ‘bigger picture’ and focus might spend a few hours at a time JUST on making incremental progress. practising one single sleight.

This is basically asking for magic burnout to Mistake No.2 hit you! Learning too many magic tricks without perfecting the ones you If you practise in ‘binges’ you’ll eventually get SHAWN know tired of doing so, and you’ll gradually drift away This is another HUGE mistake, and the solution from magic as a result. will not only prevent you getting burnt out, but FARQUHAR save you a whole bunch of money on magic too. The simple solution is to break your practice You see, when somebody first gets into magic, sessions up into ‘little and often’ — maybe 30 they might learn a simple card trick. Once minutes a day as a starting point. they’ve finished learning it, they try another one. LECTURE And another one. Before you know it, they start Bradford Magic Circle buying tricks. They see something that looks Mistake No.4 cool, so they buy it. Before it’s even arrived in Performing to the same We know how brilliant Shawn Farquhar is the mail, they buy another one. audience… day in, day out at performing, but how is he at lecturing? There’s no quicker way to get bored with doing Well, there was a decent turn-out in Bradford They learn tricks after trick, but they don’t ever magic than performing to the same crowd for a Friday night lecture where Shawn stop to PERFECT them. So eventually they end EVERY time. It’s going to take the excitement demonstrated and revealed some brilliant up with a whole pile of magic tricks they don’t out of magic for both you and the audience. effects for people of differing skill levels. really know how to do. They have so much magic that they forget how each trick works. This is unavoidable when you start out learning He performed his sensational ACAAN from a magic when you only have close friends and shuffled deck – a truly brilliant effect and was Guess how this makes them feel? family to try your material out on, but as you honest in his opinion of how long it would progress—you really need to start mixing up take members to master. It was an amazingly Overwhelmed. your audiences. devious method. Another effect which had maximum impact was his DVD revelation. He Yep, that key word again. It leads to magic Performing for new audiences is going to help showed a ‘blank’ DVD disc and placed it into burnout every time.. keep you feeling excited and motivated about a DVD box. He then showed a selection of your magic as you never know what’s in store Movie cards and a spectator was asked to call It can be really tempting to buy trick after trick, or the reactions you might get. Each night is a stop wherever they wished. A genuinely free but the best thing to do would be to focus on new night to impress and amaze—you get to choice. The spectator stopped on the movie ONE trick at a time and master each one. experience that ‘WOW’ moment a spectator has Star Wars – he opened the DVD box – and Once (and only once) you’ve truly mastered when they see great magic for the first time. And now the DVD disc was printed with the Star each trick can you move onto the next. This will that’s a great feeling. Wars label! This devilishly clever, but simple stop you getting swamped with tricks you don’t method would be a great marketed item – but actually need. guess what – Shawn just gave the idea away. So, in conclusion: This perhaps summed up the evening. Another way to combat this mistake is make – Don’t stress about perfecting your magic sure that you incorporate these tricks into right away. Break your goals down into A great selection of fabulous effects where routines that you perform consistently. The more manageable steps and tackle them one by selling them was not the priority – in fact you perform a group of tricks, the more natural one. Shawn hardly brought any items with him, yet they will feel, and you’ll master them much – Focus on choosing ONE trick and mastering it he quite happily shared his ideas and thoughts faster. Plus, you’ll be WAY less likely to forget before you move onto the next one. with the appreciative members. He has such them. – Practise ‘little and often’ rather than in huge an enthusiastic demeanor and his explanations chunks. and tips were fabulous - from easy, cool forces – Vary your audiences to keep things exciting. to sleights and quirky production effects Mistake No.3 all contributed to make a genuine five-star Practice ‘binges’ To read further blogs such as this one on a wide experience! Here’s another common mistake we see variety of topics from Merchant Of Magic, go to beginner magicians make a lot. When they http://blog.magicshop.co.uk A fabulous evening was had by all! discover a new technique or trick, they think Graham Hey

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 31 GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK!

Get your product sold throughout the world.

OVER 12,000 PRODUCTS! With 16 years of buying experience, we find the best products available.

DEDICATED TEAM TO SERVE YOU!

Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to personally handle our dealer and vendors’ needs.

WWW.MURPHYSMAGIC.COM 1.800.853.7403 GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK!

Get your product sold throughout the world.

OVER 12,000 PRODUCTS! With 16 years of buying experience, we find the best products available.

DEDICATED TEAM TO SERVE YOU!

Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to personally handle our dealer and vendors’ needs.

WWW.MURPHYSMAGIC.COM 1.800.853.7403 THE REVIEWS WHAT’SWE TAKE A LOOK AT HOT and what's not! The second plus point is that the the lid is placed on, more than Kennedy original, this will serve the box is constructed in front of the makes up for it. At the end of the purpose very well. ML spectators as the four pre-created trick you can break the box down sides are openly clipped into the into its six pieces again which is base and the lid is then placed on. not only disarming, but which also WHAT’S HOT: innocent When a folded playing card then makes it practical to drop into looking, novel prop that works appears inside moments later, it a pocket. For this reason , the well and is extremely practical seems all the more impossible routine will work in walkabout or at for working performers because of the fact that the box tables as there is no reset and it is WHAT’S NOT: if you can’t or was constructed in full view. easy to carry around. don’t want to risk a Mercury Fold you will need to routine The 30 minute online instructional A lot of thought has gone into the the effect so that you can fold video shows Dave Bonsall from design and manufacture of The the card more easily, such as PropDog demonstrating the effect Mystery Blox and I think that if you behind your back THE MYSTERY BLOX and then carefully going through are looking for a highly portable RATING: 80% Steven Macrow and Nicholas everything you need to do to and novel version of the John Dakin construct your box from the loose Available from: pieces that he supplies. One of the www.propdog.co.uk box sides, where the gimmick is PK touch, PK Whisper and PIN Price: £49.99 sited, is already made for you, as is revelation to name just a few. the special lid. So your first one-off task is to make up the other three QR codes are printed at the start Many years ago I bought a John sides of the box. Once these are of each effect should you wish to Kennedy Mystery Box, the original put together you will only have to watch Jamie perform. wooden box inside which a folded clip them into the base each time signed card appeared to magically you perform. The book is nicely designed arrive. The box was cleverly although I did find it a little hard to gimmicked and examinable at the You are also supplied with extra CONNECT read at times as most of the text end of the trick and I used it in my raw materials to make additional THE DOTS is written in capital letters. Hidden close up work for a few years. gimmicks. On the video Dave Jamie Daws clues within the book allow you explains how this is done in great Available from: access to two extra routines if Since that time there have been detail and although you may not www.jamiedaws.co.uk you 'Connect The Dots' should several attempts to improve and/ need this straight away, in the Price: £40 you be clever enough to figure or change the original concept, fullness of time it may be necessary them out. including a number of clever to construct a new gimmick if the transparent box versions. But now, original gets damaged or dirty. Connect the Dots is a collection This may not be the largest of PropDog are offering yet another of 10 brilliant routines from the books but it's definitely full of variant, this time featuring a box Dave also goes through a standard mind of Jamie Daws. gold and worth every penny of made from Lego bricks! routine to use the box with - the its cover price. You won't be ability to do a Mercury Fold of the I love Jamie's thinking. There really disappointed! PS The advantage of constructing signed card would be necessary if are some great routines in this 100 the box from Lego is twofold. you want to do the cleanest effect. page soft-backed book. I'm not Firstly, Lego bricks are universally sure I would perform every effect WHAT’S HOT: Collection of recognised, as anyone who Although the entire box is not but I'm going to give the majority brilliant effects to get stuck into. has children will at some stage examinable, the fact that it is put of them my full attention. WHAT’S NOT: A little hard to no doubt have boxes full of the together very openly in front of read due to being typeset in bricks at home. So the bricks are the spectators and can be clearly The effects range from a Sharpie capital letters automatically above suspicion. shown to be empty right up until suspension, DIY peek envelope, RATING: 85%

34 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - Lite - issue 1 0-20% = VERY POOR | 21-40% = A BIT WEAK | 41-60% = REASONABLE | 61-80% = GOOD | 81-100% = EXCELLENT THE REVIEWS

the effect followed by a long amount of substance that can be and ever widening tail of vivid produced from them is too little memory carried afterwards – a to be visible, or to look in any way phenomenon he calls “The Comet impressive from a distance. Effect”. The book sets out how that memory can be enhanced, When I first looked at and handled describing how the recording and the cups I thought perhaps this transfer of experiences into long was a trick designed for child term memory can be influenced, magicians just starting out. The including erasure and creation of AMAZECUPS plastic cups themselves remind THE MAGIC false memories. Danny Orleans one of the sort of cups supplied RAINBOW Available from any Murphy’s retailer for the cups and balls in mass Juan Tamariz The “curve of interest” is a or dealers contact marketed magic sets. But as I Hard back with dustjacket, 594 diagram plotting the level www.murphysmagic.com mentioned above, you need an pages of audience interest as time Price: £18.00 adult sized hand in order to work Available from YFD unfolds, the aim being to build the effect, and a child’s hand would Price £125 interest steadily to the magical be too small, so unfortunately I climax followed by an enjoyable AmazeCups comprises of three don’t think the trick is even suitable resolution. All aspects are gold coloured plastic cups for this purpose. Juan Tamariz is an extraordinary explored, from simple things measuring 6cm high and 5cm artiste. If you have only seen short that interfere (unnecessary in diameter. The stacked cups The instructions come in the form video clips of him being manic process, poor visibility), through can be shown one at a time to of a 5 minute online video in which and playing his invisible violin you to presentational techniques that be genuinely empty, and then Danny Orleans painstakingly may have classified him as “zany”. elevate the curve. It is typical of moments later one of the cups goes through the very simple If you have experienced a live the thoroughness of the book can be shown to contain coins, or handling. You may not think that performance it is likely that you that under the topic of “Pauses”, confetti, or rice, or salt, or...well, a 5 minute video is that much, were transported to that elevated their length, nature and impact basically anything that will fit inside. but actually it’s really way more state that he terms “The Magic are discussed in detail at each The method is simple in concept than is needed. Half a page of A4 Rainbow”. stage of a trick’s presentation – and the gimmick supplied is totally written instructions with a single including before, during and after invisible at the conclusion of the line drawing would have given as He is a national star in and the climax. trick, even though nothing needs much as Danny’s slightly laboured highly regarded in the magic world to be stolen away. However, you explanation, to be honest. but only parts of his thinking on The dangers and opportunities do have to create some cover with presentation and plot construction of comedy in magic are explored your hand at the outset of the trick, So, to sum up, there’s nothing has been available in English in detail, in particular the impact and so if you have small hands, wrong with this in that the method (notably The Five Points In Magic on the curve of interest. Similar you may find you have some is practical, the gimmick is well and The Magic Way). We have had consideration is given to the difficulty using this prop. made, and the instructions explain to wait a long time for his magnus role of drama and storytelling. everything that you need to know. opus to be beautifully translated by The final substantial section This effect is part of Vanishing Inc’s The trouble is, I feel that this is a Rafael Benatar. describes the thinking that goes Amazekids range, which I assume principle looking for a better trick, into constructing a magic act from the name contains effects as the one supplied is massively Juan’s language and imagery are of different lengths. Interwoven suitable for children’s shows. The underwhelming, and it is hard to highly poetic and metaphorical and throughout the book are shorter limited plot for this set of cups imagine anyone performing this this could be a barrier to Anglo essays and observations that are (basically there is only one brief anywhere in earnest. I suspect that Saxon, no nonsense readers! Rest all intriguing and inspiring. trick you can do with them - show if you buy this it will be one of those assured though that while some the cups empty and produce the novelties that will find a place in the sections do fly and soar, giving This book will give you an insight contents) means that it would be back of your magic cupboard next insight to the author’s visionary into the thinking of one of magic’s hard to make any sort of routine to the pile of other purchases that inner world, the majority of the greatest living artistes, open of interest to a kid show audience also seemed like a good idea at the book presents complex ideas whole new ways of seeing our out of it. In which case, I’m not time. ML methodically and in a clear, well art and also give some very altogether sure who this trick will structured manner. practical pointers to improving appeal to and where it might be performance. CP used. WHAT’S HOT: cups are well Starting with a detailed analysis made and allow you to perform of the experience of magic he On the packaging it states that the effect without sleight of moves on to explore the deep WHAT’S HOT: a clear and AmazeCups is ‘great for close- hand appeal of classic plots, proposing thorough exposition of many up, platform or stage’. Well, WHAT’S HOT: the plot is that they link to universal human aspects of the art of performing it’s certainly not suitable for one dimensional and not that longings. This theme is explored magic from one of our greatest commercial close up, although interesting, the video is total in an appendix with suggested living performers. Beautifully you could present it in a close up overkill, and the price is quite symbolism for well known card translated. Many new and show if you have somewhere to high for the use that it is likely magic. exciting ideas store the stack of cups out of sight to be to you WHAT’S NOT: some soaring before you begin. For platform and RATING: 38% At the heart of the book is the metaphorical passages may jar especially stage I would think that spectator’s experience of magic, with less poetic readers the cups are rather small and the the initial starbust impact of RATING: 95%

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 35 THE REVIEWS

onto a handkerchief and then the main part of this routine, picking it up, but you still have to because Javi’s thinking in terms of get rid of the debris before you can the presentation and handling is repeat it, which makes the routine excellent. Once you have watched far less practical for a commercial Javi’s explanation, don’t feel setting. disappointed that it is perhaps not as radical a departure from You are supplied with enough previous versions as you might thread to perform the trick multiple have imagined, instead just go times and the instructions are back and watch one of the dems supplied via an online video which again and remind yourself of how is broken down into sections strongly this plays. ML showing three dems, the materials, that the thread visibly disintegrates the set up, and the full handling. As EL HILO completely into a white dusty far as I could see, there is no way WHAT’S HOT: the routining Javi Benitez powder which pours over the table to download and keep the video and presentational emphasis Available from: top. footage, so you are actually only is excellent, and the main www.ellusionist.com buying access to the instructions, part of the trick is suitable for Price: £40.00 So, plus point first. Javi has worked something which I always worry commercial work as long as out the handling very carefully and is unfair to the customer as the there is a table the spectator has created a presentation that supplier can ‘switch off’ the video can lay the pieces out on The Gypsy Thread is a wonderful will convince the spectators that at any point they like in the future WHAT’S NOT: the extra piece of close up magic ‘theatre’ the performer plays no substantial leaving the customer with no video ending is a fuss and I think and in the right hands it can create part in making the trick work. The reference. clutters the purity and strength both a strong magic effect and a audience will ‘remember’ that a of the first part of the trick. memorable magic moment for the spectator broke the thread, rolled If you like the Gypsy Thread The video should either have spectators. You only have to watch it up into a ball, and then pulled it as an effect, and you want to been downloadable or a DVD the late Eugene Burger and his back open to reveal the restoration. perform a clean handling at tables supplied, especially at the price masterful presentation to see how This is very good. If you watch (it won’t work for walkaround asked this simple effect can be built up any of the video dems of Javi circumstances), I would certainly RATING: 65% into a minor miracle. performing the trick, you will see consider learning and performing how convincing this is. Spanish magician Javi Benitez has taken this classic of close The extra ending with the thread digit from the total is memorised. up and by dint of some changes turning to dust I didn’t like at all. You instantly know the number they in presentational emphasis and To me it felt like an unnecessary are thinking of. a careful choreographing of the distraction from the audience being moves, created a version in which allowed to enjoy the strength of Effect two: Four 7s are typed into the impression is given that a the main part of the routine. It was the calculator. Using just your spectator does everything! noticeable to me on the dem where fingers you are able to wipe off the he is performing to lay people digits one by one. This is brilliant!! A spectator rips the thread into outside a cafe or restaurant, that lots of small pieces and lays them their applause was very strong and Effect three: Using the stopwatch all out over the table. This enables enthusiastic after the restoration, EXPERT PHONE on a phone you find 3 chosen everyone to see that the length but much less so when the thread TECHNIQUE cards. When the timer is stopped of thread has been completely was crumbled - it looked like Robert Ramirez the cards match the exact time, destroyed. The helper than collects they didn’t understand why this Available from even down to the milliseconds. the pieces up and rolls them into afterthought was being done, and www.robrammagic.com a ball which is placed in full view I agree with them. I think it dilutes Price: £30/$40 Effect four: A friend is called on on the table. Showing his hands the impact of the first part of the the phone who is able to tell which genuinely empty (and they really trick by creating a messy and Late on the Sunday night of this card has been selected 3 times are), the performer picks up the unnecessary extra finish. year's Blackpool Magic Convention under impossible conditions. ball and teases out one end of the I had the pleasure of seeing some thread package. The spectator If you want to perform the second amazing iPhone magic performed I love this kind of magic. The takes this and when he pulls, the phase of the routine, you will by Robert Ramirez in the Ruskin download is well explained and the thread is seen to be completely need to prepare some ‘balls’ Hotel. I had no idea how he was effects are easy to do. If you like restored. from the materials supplied. doing the things he was showing the look of the trailer then I would There are enough to last for 24 us I just knew I wanted to learn recommend you click the buy Performed exactly as Javi performances. However, the them. Now for the first time Robert button! PS suggests, this is a very strong crumbling creates a mess on the is offering four of his routines to the handling, but he then has added table and all over your fingers. masses on this download release. WHAT’S HOT: brilliant routines a further embellishment, in which This is not good when you are using mobile phones the magician balls up the thread supposed to be using this effect Effect one: A spectator types a WHAT’S NOT: Some of the again and holding it between his when table hopping. Javi does number into a phone's calculator effects only work on an iPhone finger and thumb, crushes it so suggest crumbling the powder and multiplies it several times. One RATING: 80%

36 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - Lite - issue 1 0-20% = VERY POOR | 21-40% = A BIT WEAK | 41-60% = REASONABLE | 61-80% = GOOD | 81-100% = EXCELLENT THE REVIEWS

all 20 minutes of the explanation. the self-working magic that is all the lot of handling going on, and the This is primarily a small packet rage right now. envelope seemed not to integrate trick, although it also uses a deck. into the action smoothly. Why a card Now I bow to no one in my liking As with all the best packet tricks, in an envelope? It’s certainly not a for packet tricks, I love playing with Andy Smith has managed to pack prediction. And why does it sport an them and seeing what the originator a lot of effect into a small packet. odd coloured back? has managed to pack into a four You show four Jokers pretty freely, card packet. But it is increasingly and an envelope. Someone picks The whole things smacks to me challenging for an originator to come a card, say a black ten, whereupon of another packet trick developed up with a packet trick that is not the Jokers change to match that by a card enthusiast, who comes derivative – usually highly so. As you card - four 10S. The four cards up with a variant of a variation GUARANTEED WIN work through it the thought springs then become AS, KS, QS, 10S, of… something else. I wanted to Andy Smith unbidden into your mind that and when the envelope is opened like it more than I ended up doing, Available from any Murphy’s retailer something similar has been written it reveals an odd backed card that because that succession of changes or dealers contact about or released before. completes the royal flush in Spades. is pleasing to the eye. I just think www.murphysmagic.com So this is a cross between a Wild it’s a long and winding road to get Price: £14.99 It is portrayed as easy to do, which Card and a Poker Deal. there. BG implies a semi-automatic beginner’s trick, but this is rather disingenuous. My DVD froze three times (in WHAT’S HOT: the succession At that magic moment of You will find yourself including a different places) and don’t you think of changes is a crowd-pleaser. anticipation when you eagerly open DL, Mirage Count, Flushtration these silver discs are starting to Introducing a gimmick card the new product that’s dropped Count, force and half-pass or KM seem positively antediluvian? It’s helps remove what would through your letterbox, there are Move (which amounts to the same very clearly explained, in a double- otherwise be a rather move- three eventualities that make my thing). The originator seems very act between Andy Smith and Think heavy sequence. And it’s priced heart sink. One is a card thing for comfortable with handling a deck Nguyen. It’s Alakazam, so the as a plaything. which you get a length of elastic of cards, so I infer that he is a card production values are superb. And WHAT’S NOT: it’s nevertheless thread or magnets; another is a enthusiast, but the designation of if you register your purchase on a little heavy-handed in the card with sticky stuff on it; the third ‘easy to do’ is a relative term that the Alakazam site, as always you sequence of moves required. is a DVD tutorial. exists in the eye of the beholder. gain access to any follow-ups or That half-pass grates. As different handlings Andy Smith or his Andy Smith already gave into So it was with a heavy heart that There’s a lot of handling going on purchasers come up with. the temptation to employ I opened Guaranteed Win, Andy here, so this isn’t an effect where gimmicked cards to ease the Smith’s (of Alakazam) first release, the gimmicked cards do the I had mixed feelings about this. action, perhaps another gimmick to find two of these three awaiting work for you. It will be within the The successive changes certainly (or reworked handling) would me. Sure enough the DVD was capability of anyone familiar with look magical, and I’m sure it will replace this, the weakest spot in faulty and froze a couple of times, card work, but I wouldn’t give this to have a spectator taken aback. But the entire handling? but eventually I managed to watch a beginner, or a punter who favours that comes at a cost. There is a RATING: 66%

pass that is invisible from an angle The printed DVD cover wisely that is slightly above and just to describes the performance angle as WHAT’S HOT: soft, gentle the right of the performer. This is 90 degrees. pass, beautifully executed, achieved by a motion that keeps invisible from a specific both packets parallel to each other The accompanying PDF, most viewpoint. Ideal for video and is covered by a forward and practically downloaded via a QR performance backward squaring motion. code, is written in a highly informal WHAT’S NOT: poor angles blogging style and does not really RATING: 45% The video starts with an overview add much to the video. CP of the principles Zee followed in developing the pass, in particular the desire to avoid tension and tell tale flashes. This resulted in a © Sergey Diomin slower smoother execution. The explanation is ultimately quite clear and the camera work good. CLASSIC PASS Z Zee Any diligent student of the pass will Available from any Murphy’s have encountered the problems retailer or dealers contact with flashing that Zee outlines and www.murphysmagic.com his approach to soften and slow Price: £17.99 the action, rather than depending on speed, is sound. This particular solution, of keeping the packets This 15 minute video parallel to each other solves some demonstrates a soft, gentle classic angle problems but creates others.

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 37 GREAT NEWS! Lite Advertise in Magicseen Lite from a little as £25

MAGICSEEN LITE is available to EVERYONE 4 weeks after the printed version of the magazine is published and it is When twenty-something James Valentine distributed extensively worldwide! pays an unscheduled visit to a fortune teller in Whitby, he is told that he’s going to meet Now is the time to let your advert reach three women that will influence his life in ways that he could never imagine! 50,000+ readers ALL FOR THE PRICE OF A PACKET TRICK!!! It’s the fabulously funny story of a struggling magician trying to find true love somewhere ADVERTISING RATES amongst the gay bars, working men’s clubs and cake shops of a West Yorkshire town. Half Quarter Full Page Page A fruit cake, an International drugs dealer and Page the Heimlich Manouevre play pivotal roles in this tale of romantic failure set in the £75 £45 £25 un-glamourous locale of Huddersfield.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON UNBELIEVABLE VALUE For more information or to book your advert space contact: AND ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS! [email protected] Telephone 01392 490565 www.magicseen.com

Murphy’s Magic is proud to announce

• Ultimate Ambition Improved • The Amazing Acrobatic Knot • The Enchanted Cube More Coming Soon!

Discover the Magic of a True Master Magician… • FISM World Champion, Gold • 6 Academy Awards from the • Performed at the inauguration of President George Bush • Voted one of the 100 most inuential magicians of the 20th century • Plus numerous other awards

Each of package includes: • Incredible e ects with high quality gimmicks • Original detailed instruction by • Additional handlings by Greg Wilson

AVAILABLE AT: Hocus Pocus RP Magic WWW.HOCUS-POCUS.COM Pegani WWW.RPMAGICSHOP.COM WWW.PEGANI.COM Piper Magic WWW.PIPERMAGIC.COM.AU Magic MJM Magic Warehouse WWW.MJMMAGIC.COM WWW.THEMAGICWAREHOUSE.COM

MURPHY’S MAGIC

EST 1998