For over ten years now, has developed his own magic based on , through the magic of and .
at full time, Eric Roumestan is recognized as one of the best French magician, one of the most renowned French magicians in the world. He’s an international performer, author, creator and lecturer.
He was awarded in 2008 in National Championship for his creation “French Topit, the Topit without Jacket”. Since 2009, He presents his magic in France, Europe, USA and participate at and and co-organized “European Close-up Magic Symposium” in Italy.
Eric is the first magician in the world to be Honored by the from , for his work in magic and to export French culture in the world.
« Pure magic! »
« Great stuff, I use it! »
“I saw Eric demonstrate the French Topit at the 4F convention and was amazed not only for the vanishes but the productions. A lot of great possibilities! He’s an Expert and a Master!”
“His ideas are terrific!”
« Eric is one of the best magicians in close-up in the world, don’t miss! He created the best topit for close-up! »
“Eric ROUMESTAN's topit (the French Topit) is a totally practical, and very deceptive utility device that allows you to produce, vanish or change almost anything into something else. With this prop, and a little imagination, you can do some amazing magic! ”
Eric presents a lecture with three axe based on his personal routines:
1/ Routines and effects using topit, sleeving , sleight of hands.
2/ some ideas to load a spectator with a lot of stuffs, under foot, overhead, pockets …
3/ How to use a spectator as a topit, sleeving, servant (to load and unload a spectator)
The program:
This workshop is based on psychological approach and timing through five routines:
OK, well first things first…this was not a coin workshop, Eric presented a lecture instead. The room used was the same as for the close up sessions and was just as filled with punters; therefore a workshop was never going to be practical. The room was small, hot and overcrowded but having said this he coped with the situation admirably. So did we!
Eric works the streets and this is reflected in his larger than life performing persona, however he fortunately managed to rein it in a little for the workshop presentations. Of course he was charming and explained everything in as much detail as could be asked for. No nuance was left out. It is obvious from his explanations that he has thought long and hard about many details in his coin magic and has tried to develop high quality solutions to identified problems.
Eric started off by explaining that he likes to work clean. Of course as he works on the streets and does some coin magic that is a little problematic. Coin magic is one branch of magic where you have to start hiding things in your hands from the off. To accommodate this need he has devised a very interesting variant on the topit that is concealed in his shirt. I’ll refrain from giving details as Eric sells them. Suffice to say that the movement needed to ditch and recover items is very little and significantly less than tradition topits. Eric went in to quite some detail about how this topit could be used, even close up. Very impressive it was too.
The remaining lecture was a detailed description of the coin tricks he presented in his act. This is high quality material and has been audience tested. The main effect was his coins to glass routine. This is a great routine and simple to understand…the coins go one at a time from the glass to under his hand. The methods used are devious and nicely choreographed. I liked the reversal of the more standard routine of where the coins arrive in the glass a la Vernon.
The other main routine was a one coin routine involving a spectator. This routine reminds me of James Brown’s similar routine, where the coin ends up on top of the hand, in the magician’s eye etc …however again it was fun and well worked out.
One thing that was very unusual about this lecture was that Eric was happy for the explanations to be video recorded by the participants. He did ask that this was to be for private consumption only…I hope that the footage does not turn up on You Tube or Facebook after such a generous gesture.
All in all this was a great lecture and a very useful addition to the Day of Magic. Eric obviously loves coin magic and is passionate about sharing it with both audiences and magicians. Consequently an excellent time was had by all.
Street Magic is now a highly developed area of magic, the show on the road also saw famous actors such as David Blaine or Derren Brown, then there are the artists who made street magic their main occupation, including distinguished names we had at CLAM as Gazzo, Bob Sheets and Mario Morris, each of them had very original and repertory techniques with amazing effects.
Eric Roumestan also is a full party of “Gotha of street magic”. His lecture showed us how the art is made of innovation, communication, creativity and originality.
Eric Roumestan has an undeniable technical ability and experience, but not only, inventiveness allowed him to create totally unique and highly efficient technical solutions, with which you can create amazing effects and even unthinkable for those who are used to seeing all in magic.
This artist has shared with us many "treasures" of his professional repertory, including his “Topit without jacket”, a genius that allows effects that were previously unimaginable to accomplish in shirt. Also be emphasized his skill in currency manipulation, with effects that wowed the audience.
Great was the participation and positive impressions and judgments of those who were present, among other things, the great Eric Roumestan, French guy, held throughout the lecture in Italian, speaking in almost perfect.
Thank you Eric Roumestan, it was a beautiful evening.
During the whole afternoon, the audience was blown away by productions, vanishes and travels of various objects, including coins. Eric routines are clear, easy to follow, really sharp and super magical! His experience working in street and pickpocketing allow him to display a state of relaxation (which is let down our guard), to establish a natural touch and quickly brings public gently wherever he wants. Devastating!
Eric began by presenting the effects using his topit without jacket, just in shirt: Production of full bottles, jumbo coins, magic wand, playing cards, etc... A very nice innovation!
As for the "classic" topit, the effect is even stronger when the technique (lapping or loading objects) is used indirectly, on a weak beat.
Well, then, Mr Roumestan was unleashed on coin magic, the experts have struggled to keep their mouth shut. He knows all palms and passes almost permanently from one to the other, showing, without pointing, openly his empty hands at spectators (the back and front palm had to take him a few hours, but even perfect, he continues the daily practice ...). No sudden and quick movements, everything is fluid, except spectator’s brain...
The routine where three coins are placed in the spectator’s hand and are removed one by one is a marvel of precision and subtlety. And what about steps ahead where Eric invisibly load and unload the spectator with coins (pockets, shoulders, elbows, head and even under feet!), and where he can pick them clearly with empty hands?!?
These good times have ended his routine with coins traveling from one glass reversed to his hand, a real “Bateleur act” was spotless and a mechanic well-paced, where the spectator himself makes a coin vanish under the glass!
In short, great art made by any generosity. We want more!