Issue No.

Lite

MANDY
MUDEN
FRIEND
NOT FOE

ALLAN
NATURAL BORN DE-VAL
THRILLER!
 THE OPENER

A WORD FROM THE

EDITOR
W
ow, we are into in Comedy Clubs after giving helps to fill us in on everything
our third edition up her attempts to become an that is happening in this niche
of Magicseen Lite actress, and although her rise entertainment world.
already, yet it only has been steady rather than
seems minutes meteoric, her good showing on What else have we extracted from sensible buying decisions.
ago that we Britain’s Got Talent has helped the full September Magicseen If you enjoy this free taster edition
decided to go ahead with the to firmly established her act. We to include here? Well, there’s of Magicseen, maybe we can
project at all! It’s great to see are delighted to provide further Friend Not Foe, which is an article tempt you to sign up for the
that lots of readers are taking background on her for you to exploring how we can harness whole thing! We have 1 or 2 year
advantage of these special enjoy in this issue. the ‘comedian’ in the audience printed copy or download subs
taster issues and we hope to enhance our act rather than available, and subscribers not
that you will enjoy this latest Escapology is an allied art to destroy it, we offer a Masterclass only get the full versions of every
one too. magic that we rarely get to routine from David Regal’s brand issue 6 times a year, they also
feature in Magicseen, so we are new book Interpreting Magic, we get other benefits too. For more
This time we welcome Mandy particularly pleased to talk to let you see what things are on our information and to order go to
Muden, one of the UK’s foremost Allan Taylor, the newly elected readers’ minds in the letters page, www.magicseen.com.
comedy magicians, to our cover. chair of the United Kingdom and there is a selection of the
Mandy cut her performing teeth Escape Artists organisation. He product reviews to help you make Mark Leveridge

CONTENTS
A Word From The Editor............................................... 5
Letters.......................................................................... 6
Mandy Muden............................................................... 8
Friend Not Foe........................................................... 14
Masterclass................................................................ 18
In The News................................................................ 20
Shout Outs.................................................................. 22
Allan De-Val................................................................ 24
Product Reviews........................................................ 32

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 THE MAILBOX

YOUR VIEW
If you have anything
you would like to
tell us, whether it’s
about the magazine
or anything magic

y
related, please email:

r s a
grahamhey@

H a v e y o u magicseen.co.uk

on stage when all eyes are on me. I

PETER TURNER
LETTERS | REVIEWS | MASTERCLASS | IN THE PHONEBOX | MORGAN & WEST LIVE
wondered if you have any advice for
me. I’m not into the magic chat rooms
Brilliant that you featured Pete Turner on your last cover – and what a or anything and I live a bit remote to
brilliant piece of artwork. I also loved the effect he contributed. There join any magic clubs, so I feel like I’m
are one or two things I don’t like about Magicseen, but I love 95% of out on my own to be honest. Any
Issue No. 87 Vol 15. No.3 July 2019

rory it – and I really like the fact you introduce us to people we may not suggestions?
aDams necessarily know. I had not heard of Pete Turner before, but I am Thank you,
The man now a huge fan. It was the same when you featured Ian D. Montfort. Matthew Dixon, via email
wiTh all The
answers! Caroline
ravn It’s amazing what he’s gone on to achieve – so far! I saw him at
Devilishly
Cool!
Blackpool and he got another standing ovation. Let’s have more on Hi Matthew, thanks for your email.
Pete Turner please! We remember talking to the
N. Dawson, Wallsall fabulous Wayne Dobson about
this ages ago and he said, ‘Why
PETER TURNER THE GREAT! do complicated sleight-of-hand on

Loved the feature on Peter Turner – and the

STAR stage when there’s no need to?’ He
told us that for many years he used
best Magicseen cover EVER!
LETTERS! to use a one way forcing deck on
Neil Simpson, Edinburgh stage, so he could never get things
wrong. That makes sense. You also
need to remember that when you
just bought a couple of books, one by magician should have a selection of are on stage at a venue, in front of
ROBERT DE NIRO David Stone and the other by Patrick his material in their library, if not in their the hot lights, and a crowd thrown
Page, and they are fantastic. I’ve also act. This guy was so gifted. I know in, there’s lots of extra pressure
Dear Magicseen, been to see a few magicians, and the that he’d won many awards, but I think too, your hands become sweatier
I saw an interview on TV in the USA magic world is very lucky to have so he’s one of the greatest magicians of and it can distract you from actually
with Robert De Niro who was talking many talented performers- such a all time, without any doubt at all. A performing. So, go for easy, every
about magicians and how he couldn’t shame that more are not on TV. genius, and so very, very sad to lose time. It will give you confidence,
understand it how everyone knew J.P. Stevens, Chicago, USA. Via email him so young. and you can concentrate on your
they were going to attempt to trick Jared Davis, Toronto, Canada performance. (Ed).
the onlookers, but the onlookers
still seemed to believe every word
they said. He added that he thought SKILL OR SIMPLICITY? LIFE'S A BEACH VOL2
magicians were masters of psychology.
I believe that performers in the magical Dear Magicseen, When is the next volume of Gary’s
arts – and I’m talking about the really I’m putting together my first ever book out? Volume one was ace…
good performers here – really are stand-up act, and It’s proving more K.T. via email
psychologists, with additional skills difficult that I thought. I have previously
thrown in. How they can manipulate done close-up, but I have been asked Hopefully in the
people’s minds to think one thing, several times if I do a cabaret act and next 4 weeks,
when the opposite is happening at the I’ve had to say no. So I’ve decided we’ll let you
same time is a beautiful skill to have. to try out with a stand-up set. Where know asap. All
I’m a psychologist, with zero magic I’m finding it difficult is that I’ve tried to the material is
skills, but have recently become really CLASSIC DARYL simply to do a close-up set, only do it in – and there
interested in magic because of the bigger. Where I’m struggling is that the are some
magic creators. How can a single Dear Magicseen, sleight of hand moves are more difficult fabulous, easy
mind create something that will fool a I’ve just bought a boxed collection of to do in a cabaret situation as there is tricks in there.
thousand people in the same room? DVDs by the late, and unbelievably so much more to think about – it’s very Gary is so
These really are amazing minds. I’ve great Daryl. I recommend every difficult to do sleights to a spectator brilliant!

6 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 MANDY MUDEN

MANDY
MUDEN
NATURAL BORN
THRILLER!

T
he hilarious comedy magician
and mentalist wowed the country
with her brilliant performances on
Britain’s Got Talent and has since
achieved so much. She’s worked
in the USA, won an Award from
a Woman’s Magazine and bought
herself a very expensive handbag.

She’s come such a long way since being sacked

as a beauty consultant at a famous London
department store for drawing a moustache on a
rude woman who wanted to have her make-up
done. We are BIG fans of this fabulously funny
performer with attitude, and so are delighted
to sit down for a chat with Mandy Muden. And
she bought the coffee and cake. Result!

Graham Hey asks the questions.

Well Mandy, we saw you at Blackpool and it’s

been really difficult getting hold of you, you’ve
been so busy. We really loved your spot at the
convention, how was Blackpool for you? ‘Aw,
thank you very much. I have to admit I was
very, very nervous because as we all know

8 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 MANDY MUDEN

‘I was the naughtiest, silliest kid in the school.

I just found humour in everything. I had a tough home life and
laughter was my escape.’

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 9

 MANDY MUDEN

‘...I saw a job in the back of the Stage for Kids' Entertainers and never
looked back. I went to Davenports and stocked up. I still have all my kids
entertaining stuff. I just can’t part with it!’

10 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 MANDY MUDEN
magicians can be a very hard audience. But
I have to say I loved every moment of it. The
audience were amazing and I was so thrilled to
perform at the Blackpool Magic Convention at
the Opera House!’

Mandy is no overnight success (although she

is still young, obviously!) – her grounding was
in the comedy clubs around the UK. I ask her
if she recommends it for magicians who want
to try and be funny? ‘Absolutely!’ says Mandy,
‘Comedy Clubs are the only places to really cut
your teeth in this business now. I still do them
now because they keep you totally match fit and
on your toes. Bite anyone’s hand off for a gig. I
am still learning from doing them.’

Mandy reveals that she actually started out as an

actress, but found it extremely tough. ‘I would
turn up to auditions and there would be 100
other women after the same job.’ She says, still
obviously frustrated by the whole thing. ‘But
then I saw a job in the back of the Stage for Kids'
Entertainers and never looked back. I went to
Davenports and stocked up. I still have all my
kids entertaining stuff. I just can’t part with it!’

Mandy tells me that she was always a funny kid. ‘Comedy Clubs are the only places to really cut
‘I was the naughtiest, silliest kid in the school. I
just found humour in everything. I had a tough
your teeth in this business now. I still do them now
home life and laughter was my escape.’ because they keep you totally match fit and on
What are you like when you’re off stage? ‘I’m your toes. Bite anyone’s hand off for a gig.
a shy person and off stage I don’t like to be the
centre of attention. So people rarely see that side I am still learning from doing them.’
of me off stage unless they know me really well.’

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 11

 MANDY MUDEN
show, she says, ‘I was asked to take some jokes
out… but ‘I forgot’. It was live, what could they
do?

‘I think the spots were supposed to be 3 minutes.

My first was around 9 minutes and the second
was probably longer!’ She continues, ‘I loved
doing it. I think you should be clear about what
you want from it before you do it. I saw it as a
free advert on Prime Time TV and for me that
is exactly what it was.’ The result is that she’s
been a lot busier, and if you’re friends with her
on Facebook, you’ll know that she's been doing
some terrific, high-profile gigs around the world.

She reveals that her comedy hero is The

Amazing Jonathan. ‘I love him. I went to see
him and I was scared sitting in the audience.
It was brilliant. You just didn’t know what was
going to happen next. I loved Joan Rivers too,
she was a comic genius.’

Like many performers, she is her own worst

critic. She says she has lots of weaknesses but is
not sure about her own strengths. Says Mandy,
‘I am always anxious before a show. I hate doing
a bad job. I never come off stage and feel happy.
You had a great run on Britain's Got Talent I always think I could have done better.’ She
– why did you decide to enter the show? The should be on a high right now, as we heard she
answer isn’t what I expected. Says Mandy, ‘I had stormed it last night at an Edinburgh Preview
a cowboy builder in who had taken my savings with Omid Djalili…
and wrecked my home…I needed to make more
money.’ It’s time for Mandy to scoot off. She’s a very
busy lady. If you get the chance, check out her
As far as BGT goes, she tells me she had total performances on YouTube.
control of her spot. For the live performance

Quickies with Mandy

What has been the highlight of your last How do you go about constructing your
year or so? own show?
It’s been such a wonderful year that it's hard I just sit in front of a computer screen for
to pick something .BGT, obviously, getting hours and hours and get nothing done. I ring
an award from a major women’s magazine, everyone I know and moan. Them I write it
working in America… getting a very out like a story and try and piece it together.
expensive handbag. Eventually I get about 3 minutes of new stuff.

Most difficult aspect of being a performer? What’s coming up for you in the next few
I find it hard to have a proper life. I miss months?
a lot of family dos, special occasions and As I do this interview, I am currently
just seeing people I love for a cup of tea. working on my Edinburgh show Mandy
Sometimes travelling around on my own all Muden: Is Not The Invisible Woman. I
the time I get very lonely. am only doing Edinburgh to work on new
material. Please come - Gilded Balloon
Someone’s putting a cabaret act together, Teviot at 4pm. Also, I’m thrilled to be doing
what advice would you give them about panto in Belfast at the Royal Opera House.
performing?
As Pat Page said to me, go out for What would you say to any girls wanting to
‘sandwiches’ - work wherever you can. get into magic/mentalism/performing?
Do it. Try and be your own person on stage.
Last time you bombed on stage? It’s not about the tricks most of the time. It’s
Corporate in Dublin where the whole you and how you sell them.
audience was drunk before the event even
started. When I went on it was like a scene Are you married?
from a disaster movie…bodies everywhere. No, not married but I am now looking. If
Tough crowd. anyone’s interested?

12 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 FRIEND NOT FOE?

Friend
Not Foe USING THE
HUMOROUS
SPECTATOR
BY Mark Leveridge

"Subconsciously the Joker will now possibly feel the

need to wrest back the control of the group, and so he
starts to make his own jokes and asides, thus interrupting
your performance. His mates will laugh automatically at

I
f you are a strolling or table magician whatever he says, even though most of the time his comments
you will no doubt recognise the are not that humorous, but that’s how it is all the time in
following scenario. You are walking
up to your next group ready to
that peer group."
entertain them and as you approach,
one of the spectators, usually a man,
will see you coming and immediately fire
off some sort of ‘funny’ comment or quip, THE JOKER IN THE PACK A DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE
such as, “Oh, hello Dynamo, what have When you are entertaining at big commercial So, up until the moment that you arrive, all
you got to fool all of us then?” At which events such as company parties or club the attention of the table or group has been
point everyone else in the group falls socials, most of the people who attend will on him as usual, which is how he likes it.
about laughing at the ‘hilarious’ comment. probably already know each other. They may Then the magician turns up. The entertainer
work or regularly socialise together, and so might be smooth, slick, fooling and funny,
Hmmmm. You probably think to yourself, when you approach a table of 8 people, the and immediately the balance of power shifts
“Oh dear, this doesn’t bode well!” and you chances are they will already be very familiar from the Joker to the performer, and the Joker
immediately feel a bit defensive because you and comfortable in each others’ company. suddenly feels superseded and possibly even
anticipate that this spectator is going to cause Groups like this can often have one character ignored.
you trouble. who dominates. He will be the guy who leads
However, rather than see this person as enemy the conversation, who makes all the jokes and Subconsciously the Joker will now possibly
no.1, I would suggest that in most cases, who the rest secretly look up to. When they feel the need to wrest back the control of
that comedian could well turn out to be a real are all sitting together, the Joker will be holding the group, and so he starts to make his
asset for you if you handle him right, and in this forth on this and that, and because all the own jokes and asides, thus interrupting
article I am going to take a look at the whole others know him so well, anything he says or your performance. His mates will laugh
situation and recommend ways to deal with it. does is automatically hilarious! automatically at whatever he says, even

14 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 FRIEND NOT FOE?
though most of the time his comments are not and popularity with the group, because if determine whether you did a good job. So,
that humorous, but that’s how it is all the time he gets on with you and seems to like you, if the Joker and his comments are creating
in that peer group. everyone else will too. laughter at the table, and if as a result the
people are having a great time, I would suggest
THE PYRRHIC VICTORY Here are a few personal suggestions for do’s that this is a win/win situation. The Joker gets
Now, as the entertainer you need to deal with and don’t in this situation. to keep his status unblemished with the group,
this situation. Some people overreact, in my 1. Don’t use abrasive put down comments but you get the kudos for the magic and leave
view, and start a verbal battle with the Joker, or lines the moment the Joker starts to get the group feeling amazed and amused in equal
trying to basically shut him up by proving that involved with your show. Remember, he may measure.
they are far funnier than he is. The trouble is, not be heckling, just joining in!
his mates are more used to him than they are 2. Do acknowledge his comments with a It shouldn’t be a matter of ego or status for
to you, and I would suggest that this is a battle smile or an aside of your own which builds you. If you go in to each group thinking that
you will rarely win. on what he has just said, thus keeping the you have to be an performing deity that no
good humour of the moment. one should interrupt or interfere with, you are
If you do manage to halt him in his tracks 3. Don’t let the Joker take over entirely, missing out on a lot of potential entertainment
by using heckler stoppers, the potential however - remember you have the magic value. Some of my best and funniest moments
humiliation that the Joker will feel is not healthy as a weapon, so if you are doing amazing over the years have come when I have been
for the general atmosphere of the group - after things the spectators will react to you and having fun with the Joker! He sets up a
all, your job is simply to enable them all to be keen to watch what you are doing. situation, and using my experience I can nip
have a good time, not to win a verbal jousting 4. Do keep the pace and direction of your and highjack the moment or the comment and
match! The rest of the people in the group performance on track. In other words, while prolong the fun of it.
may not like the way you have just treated their it is politic and sometimes desireable to
hero, and so they will not be as receptive to acknowledge the Joker or something he The net result of all this is that at the end of
you and your magic as a result. has said, make sure that you still continue to your set, if you have handled it right, the Joker
perform through your routines, because that will often be the one who extends his hand to
EMBRACE THE MOMENT is how you will get your credibility at the end. shake yours while complimenting you on the
So, my contention is that you should help the show. He’s happy because he has not lost
Joker to enhance your time with his group LET THE GOOD TIMES FLOW face, and you have benefitted because you
rather than attempt to stop him. However, you The fact is, you are being paid for the have harnessed his goodwill and standing
should try to do it in such a way that you still spectators to have a good time with you. with his peers to ensure that your act was well
maintain control of your show, but at the same Exactly how that is achieved is not the issue, appreciated. It’s the benefit of having him as a
time embrace the Joker’s presence, humour it is whether you succeed or not that will friend and not a foe.

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SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 15

MICHEL HUOT

“SO CLEVER”
FRANCIS MENOTTI

“KILLER”
RICHARD SANDERS

WWW.VANISHINGINCMAGIC.COM
 THE TRICKS

MASTER CLASS
1 2
SAFE DEPOSIT
David Regal

(This is one of the many routines featured in David’s

new book called Interpreting Magic which is due to
be published imminently. Look out for a review of
the book in our next issue (#89 Nov 19))

3 4
EFFECT
The spectator cuts to the Aces. 5 You will end up with a row of piles
(Fig. 2). The reason you stress
“that’s almost all of them” is to
REQUIREMENTS ensure that you have a good-sized
A deck of cards. pile on the left, the Ace pile.

PREPARATION
The Aces are on top of the deck in
any order. The Ace fourth from the
6 “If you did this perfectly, the
piles will all be exactly the same
size”…Look at the piles—they will
top is given a convex crimp at the be slightly different. “Hmm… that’s
inner end. all right. I’ll take what you gave me.
5 6
That’s the whole idea.” This serves
WORKING to remind the audience that you

1 False shuffle the deck, retaining

the top four cards, then table it.
Have the spectator cut the deck into
arrived at random spots in the deck.
“You cut here… here… here… and
here.”
a row of four piles, the Aces atop the
leftmost pile.
7 The right hand goes to the
rightmost pile and lifts off the top

2 The way I usually have this done

is by testing the spectator’s
“luck quotient” or ability to handle
card by its inner end (Fig. 3). The
card is placed onto the left fingers
(Fig. 4). The hand goes to the pile
cards. “Cut off three quarters of the left of the first, and removes the top 7 8
cards from here… to here. Three card in a similar manner, the hand
quarters—that’s most of them.” I covering a bit more of the card (Fig.
indicate that the cut is to be made to 5). The card is placed into the left
the left of the deck (Fig. 1). hand on top of the card already
there.

3 “Okay, let’s shake things up. Let’s

try sixth eighths. Try to cut six
eighths of the cards from here to 8 The right hand goes to the pile
second from the left and picks up
here. Again, that’s most of them.” the top card from above, depositing
Indicate a spot to the left of the just- it on the two already in the left hand.
cut pile. Finally, the right hand moves to the
leftmost pile and picks up the four 9 10

4 Continue in this manner. “All

right, let’s just go nuts: twelve
sixteenths. Do not confuse that
Aces, the right fingers masking the
thickness of the cards in its hand
(Fig. 6). The crimp allows you to
with sixth eighths or three quarters. do the four-card pickup with a light
Cut twelve sixteenths from here to touch.
here—that’s almost all of them”.

9 “Let’s see what you got”… The

right hand brings the squared

18 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 THE TRICKS
Aces to the left hand and essentially
overshoots the mark, laying its
cards about three-quarters of an
12 You will now apparently repeat
the process with the next Ace,
but it is here that the dirty work
11 12

inch to the left of the cards already occurs. The left fingers slide out the
in the hand (Fig. 7). The right thumb next Ace, and flip it face up in front
maintains a small break between the of the pile second from the left. As
two packets of cards as the right this Ace is displayed, the right hand
hand takes the combined pile from momentarily lowers onto the pile
above. second from the right, leaves the
cards below the break, and rises

10 This is a very efficient moment

in the routine, as the piles
(Figs. 10 & 11).

are segregated—and you have

performed a get-ready for the move
to come—with zero adjustment. In a
13 The right hand gently moves
to the right as the left fingertips
slide out the next Ace, flipping it face
13

continuing action, the left fingertips up in front of the pile second from
spread the Aces, sliding them to the right (Fig. 12).
the left from the bottom (Fig. 8). The
right thumb break above the X cards
is maintained. 14 Finally, the last Ace is flipped
face up and placed in front
of the last pile (Fig. 13).It must be

11 The hands move over the piles.

The left fingertips slide the
lowermost Ace from the right hand’s
stressed that the laydown of the
Aces occurs in an unhurried rhythm.
You are clean after the second Ace
cards, and flip it face up in front of is shown, when you still have two
the left pile (Fig. 9). Aces to go—a nice situation to be in.

JOE MOGAR
Knives and Coins
www.joemogar.com

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

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 IN THE NEWS

3 WORLD RECORDS AT THE

EHRLICH BROTHERS SHOW!
On 15 June 2019 the two brothers played the football stadium in
Duesseldorf, Germany with a special full-evening show. The show was sold
out with 40,211 visitors. This gained Andreas and Chris Ehrlich a new world
record for the “Largest Audience for a Magic Performance”. The former
record with 38,503 had been set by the Ehrlich Brothers at their first stadium
show in 2016 in Frankfurt. When twenty-something James Valentine
The German magicians received a second world record by the RID pays an unscheduled visit to a fortune teller
REKORD-INSTITUT fuer DEUTSCHLAND for the “Magic trick with the in Whitby, he is told that he’s going to meet
highest number of spectators involved”. Guided by the Ehrlich Brothers
36,190 visitors tore four pieces of cardboard each, shuffled them, exchanged three women that will influence his life in
pieces with other visitors until only one piece was left. This last piece exactly ways that he could never imagine!
fitted to another piece that the visitors stored away during the process.

A third world record was not for Andreas and Chris Ehrlich - but for their It’s the fabulously funny story of a struggling
fans. They collected the longest fan letter in the world with a length of 23,023
kilometres. Can that really be true? If it’s not, we’re sure there will be a letter magician trying to find true love somewhere
in the next issue telling us we got it wrong! amongst the gay bars, working men’s clubs and
The world record show was filmed and will be aired on RTL TV in late cake shops of a West Yorkshire town.
autumn 2019.

A fruit cake, an International drugs dealer and

the Heimlich Manouevre play pivotal roles in
this tale of romantic failure set in the
un-glamourous locale of Huddersfield.

E-BOOK AVAILABLE FROM

WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM

20 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

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 SHOUT OUTS

SHOUT OUTS
Here are some special ‘extra’ announcements from a few of our regular advertisers

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Roger and I barely spoke to each other during the day as we were so busy demonstrating our wares. Our Hottest Sellers... Thought of Card
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READ MY MIND. BLACK HART.

Back in 2007, Looch set the mentalism world on fire by introducing the Trickery for Tarot Readers is a great ‘how to’ book from The Black
L.P.I (Looch Pocket Index). This well designed pocket miracle maker Hart. TFTR is NOT about performing tricks with Tarot cards, it’s
instantly sold out and was considered by the pro’s as one of the best much more than that, it’s about techniques that are available to the
pocket indexes ever made. card magician but adapting them so you, as a Tarot reader, can
demonstrate the latent power within the Tarot.
Over the years one of the most frequent requests from fellow mentalists
was for the L.P.I to be made available again. After years of research, TFTR contains the following:
discussion and development, Read My Mind Ltd are delighted to
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How to control a card in a stack n a completely natural manner
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*Please note, the L.P.I is designed as a billet index, with the primary to make Tarot reading for private or corporate clients a part of your
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you instant access to them during performance. It will not hold a full at blackhart.co.uk
deck of playing cards. www.readmymind.co.uk.

22 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 SHOUT OUTS
CARL DE ROME.
In my HEAT advert this month, I have included A VERY SPECIAL LINK at the bottom of the advert. This is really for those magicians/mentalists/hypnotists
who are still sceptical about the HEAT effect. Normally this link I only send out to people after they have ordered the HEAT effect direct from me, but I
thought some of you may like to see all the extra info, tips and warnings about HEAT, so you can at last have a look at the videos and decide for yourselves
if this effect is for you. May I also thank all the entertainers worldwide over the years who have bought HEAT from me and have had great success
performing it over and over again. Remember Heat is available direct from my web site www.cdrmagic.com/heat or if you are in the USA/Canada it is now
available from www.getmagicheat.com. And for those who like to buy their magic from the best magic dealer in England, HEAT has been stocked in the
UK by The Merchant Of Magic www.magicshop.co.uk. Type HEAT into the search box. Lastly CONGRATULATIONS to MARC SPELMANN performing as
X, for featuring my HEAT effect in his winning semi finals performance on Britain’s Got Talent. Proving HEAT can also be performed on stage.

COPELAND COINS.
Copeland Coins is super excited to release Sly Palm to the magic community. It’s a brand new, clever sleight by Rick Holcombe that has as many
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book and video at the same time! It’s like speed reading. Only at CopelandCoins.com

UKEA.
Hello Escapologists, The UKEA (United Kingdom Escape Artists) are looking for new members. We are the only recognised group in the UK for
escapologists and have been running since 2004. We have a wide range of members, from those that are very academic, focusing on the history
of the art itself, through to novice / semi-professional performers who are keeping the art form alive. We currently have 2 meetings per year full of
lectures, demos and the chance to compete for the Mick Hanzlik award. To join, we do require each applicant to demonstrate that they are currently
part of a recognised magic association, or a full time or retired performer, an author, someone who has an academic interest in the art or someone
who has been recommended by a current member.

The first part of the membership will be access to our private group and is free, from here you can apply for full membership at a cost of £20 per year.
If you are interested then please contact us at [email protected] for more info.
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SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 23

 ALLAN DE-VAL

ALLAN DE-VAL
UNSHACKLED
F
or the past few years, Magicseen named after the late Mick Hanzlik, who ‘As a previous winner I understand how
has been reporting on the U.K.E.A created some sensational effects. What was much this award means to the escapology
(United Kingdom Escape Artists) your connection to Mick? ‘We knew Mick for community and trust me when I say the
and with escapology in the many years through our connection with the competition is getting hard. Everybody wants
spotlight recently – especially on U.K.E.A and we became great friends. Mick to win the coveted Hanzlik award. This year,
Britain’s Got Talent - we thought was also a friend of my wife’s late father David the award was won by Tim Houlton from Hull.
we’d better get our act together De-Val,’ says Allan, ‘Mick supplied David with Tim came up with an unusual escape and
and find out what’s really going a lock back in 1984 when he performed his possibly the first of its kind anywhere in the
on in the world of escapes. rollercoaster escape at Blackpool pleasure world.’
beach, a lock that Mick kindly passed onto my
We chatted with Allan Taylor from De-Val Magic wife Rebecca.’ Tim combined his love of motorcycles and
and Escapology, newly elected chair of the escapology. The escape comprised of getting
U.K.E.A Tell us about this year’s award. ‘The Award secured into a straitjacket, and then as if this
is named after Houdini Historian and Master wasn’t hard enough, he then put on a pair of
Firstly, congratulations on your new position! Locksmith Mick Hanzlik and is presented for full body motorcycle leathers, with the straps
Now, every year you have an Award for the the “Best Escape” of the day as voted for by all from the straitjacket being inserted through
best escapology routine – which is partly members of the U.K.E.A. the arms of the leathers. Motorcycle helmet

24 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

 ALLAN DE-VAL
Escapology is very
real and has to
be treated with
caution....so even the
smallest of routines
would have had hours
of training behind
the scenes. If you fail
to plan - then plan
to fail!
and full boots were also worn. Says Allan, This year's award was
‘This was surely enough to secure Tim! After
won by Tim Houlton
around 5 minutes of wrestling with the suit and
from Hull.
straitjacket and even throwing in some comedy
air guitar, Tim much to our amazement
managed to escape successfully. A very well
deserved winner!’

Allan speaks about Mick with obvious affection,

continuing, ‘Mick had a lot of great effects
and his most famous is probably the Supalok.
However, it was his research into the Houdini
Mirror Cuffs that really amazed me. This
was something we spoke about with David
Copperfield last year when we were lucky
enough to be invited to David’s International
Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts.’

There were one or two escapologists on BGT

this time... Jonathan Goodwin etc, what did
you make of it? ‘I loved it. We have obviously
seen a rise in magicians over the last few years
but it’s great to see some real escapologists on
TV,’ says Allan enthusiastically. ‘Matt Johnson
did an amazing job last year with some of his
underwater stunts – he’s one of the hardest ‘We are also getting asked for more and more Allan tells me that it’s partly the danger aspect
working people I know and is now working escapology products at De-Val Magic so we of escapology that appeals to him, and a real
with the Illusionists tour. have just brought out a range of padlocks, sense of achievement when you get out of
handcuffs and straitjackets. We are also something that people deem to be impossible.
‘Jonathan Goodwin also did an amazing job seeing TV coverage. Rebecca and I were ‘Escapology is very real and has to be treated
and I was shocked that he didn’t get through recently visited by George Hardeen (Harry’s with caution,’ continues Allan,’ ‘so even the
to the final. His take on the water torture cell/ great nephew) and featured on the Discovery smallest of routines would have had hours of
buried alive was amazing and deserved to go Channel show called Houdini’s Last Secrets training behind the scenes. If you fail to plan -
further. Jonathan is also part of the Illusionists that was aired in the USA and the UK.’ then plan to fail!’
and is part of the London show.’
Do you think there will ever be another true Who has been your own personal inspiration?
So how would you describe the state of world star of escapology? ‘I think the inclusion ‘My wife’s late father David De-Val has had
escapology at the moment? ‘Absolutely of Matt Johnson and Jonathan Goodwin being the greatest impact on me but I can’t possibly
buzzing. BGT has obviously done it well and part of the global illusionist shows definitely leave Houdini and his Brother Theo Hardeen
here at the UKEA we are getting more and proves that we have stars of escapology. out – they are the ones who have probably
more people reaching out to us to find out However, I would like to see a full escapology inspired most escapologists out there more
how they can join or how they can start up in show on tour. I think once that happens and than anyone else!’
escapology. only then, will we have the world star.’

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 25

 ALLAN DE-VAL
the secret to a great
escape routine is to
make the impossible
possible - and you
have to keep the
audience on the edge
of their seats.
the shackles and the cell, but he had already
escaped from the prison and was found fully
dressed in his street clothes (but these were
locked in the cell adjoining the condemned
cell)! They found David some three hundred
yards away from the prison, drinking a pint of
milk.

‘The press fired questions - Was a double of

David used? Was a confederate involved? Was
there a tunnel between the condemned cell
and Clifford’s Tower, where David was found?
These were the questions and a little thought
showed them to be very wide off the mark.
How did David do it? That’s a good question
isn’t it?’ We’d say that’s more than a good
question!!

Allan says that the secret to a great escape

Allan with George Hardeen.
routine is to make the impossible possible -
and you have to keep the audience on the
I put Allan on the spot and ask him about his edge of their seats. ‘They need to be sat
all-time favourite escape routine. ‘Wow that is thinking will (s)he or won’t (s)he. Add in some
a tough one. An American escape artist called danger and it will get most people excited
Norman Bigelow performed “The Doors of but a good story behind it will keep most
Death” which was very dangerous indeed, but people interested,’ says Allan who is obviously
for sheer skill then I would say the York Cell passionate about the art. ‘Danger alone
escape performed by David De-Val, something will keep the audience occupied for several
that the great Houdini refused! minutes, but add in a great performance and a
story and they will be hooked!’
‘David was challenged to escape from the
condemned cell in the Debtors Prison. The cell So, we can safely say that escapology is still
walls are six feet thick and the tiny windows are attracting creative performers and the public
securely barred. Under the sceptical scrutiny of seem to love it, when they can witness it. ‘Yes,
the press, David allowed the steel waist band I think it’s actually more popular now than it’s
to be locked tightly on him. Then his wrists ever been. We are also seeing more females
were locked on each side of the waist band. getting involved too which is great. There was
His ankles were secured in heavy leg irons and a time where people were overlooking escape
finally a short chain was locked at one end to artists as they were seen to be too dangerous
the waist band and to a ring attached to the to book. I would like to see more acts on the
wall at the other end. outdoor circuits again. Luckily we have just had
Rob “Roy” Collins appear at Glastonbury and
‘Security guards checked both ends of the we have Doctor Diablo appearing at outdoor
passage where the cell door was. No-one was events…’
allowed to open the door from the outside.
Five minutes or so after the cell door had www.de-val-magic.co.uk
Allan meets the legendary been slammed shut there was a cry from the Inner Circle member
David Copperfield. press of ‘He’s out’! Not only was David out of www.theukea.co.uk

26 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

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 THE REVIEWS

WHAT’S HOT
WE TAKE A LOOK AT

h a t ' s n o t !
an d w
You are supplied with a set of 7 over to reveal the actual selected so if you have that product and
very nicely produced cards on the drink. want some new drinks cards,
faces of which are featured colour this will also supply an ideal
pictures and the names of different The method is straightforward, replacement set.
drinks that you might buy in a pub. pleasingly contrived and, I would
A spectator is asked to mentally suggest, pretty fooling. Vinny says The instructions come as a
select any of the drinks, then to you will learn the method in a small neatly printed booklet
shuffle the cards and deal them all matter of seconds (!), and although featuring 18 colour photos, a
out face down onto the table. understanding the principle of the welcome departure from the often
trick will not take you very long, redundant online video directions,
You now show a metal beer bottle you will nevertheless need to although you are given a link to
cap (supplied) and you place the spend some time working with the some footage as well. I can’t see
cap randomly on the backs of the cards in order to get the handling why you would need to bother
face down cards one at a time, smooth. There is, however, no watching it though, as the written
asking the spectator to silently sleight of hand of any sort. instructions are clear and perfectly
spell the name of his drink, one sufficient. ML
letter for each card, as you do so. This is not a particularly
TIPPLE When the spectator gets to the last commercial trick because of the
Vinny Sagoo letter he calls out STOP. need to spread the 7 cards out on WHAT’S HOT: good routine
Available from any Murphy’s retailer the table, and table space might that is fooling yet easy to do.
or dealers contact You then state that it would be not allow this. But in every other Nicely printed cards, written
www.murphysmagic.com impossible for ‘Your Drink’ to be respect the trick is engaging, instructions, and even the
Price: £20.00 under the bottle cap, since the interesting and a baffler. bottle cap is supplied
chosen drink was only mentally WHAT’S NOT: probably
selected, to which the spectator A few years ago I released a not for the usual commercial
This is an unassuming yet effective can only agree. As a gag, you then routine called The Leveridge performance situation, unless
mental flavoured packet trick that turn over the bottle cap to reveal Beverage which came with a set of the conditions allow for the
I am sure many close uppers the words YOUR DRINK printed 7 cards with drinks on them. The cards to be spread out on a
looking for a novelty effect to inside the lid. However, groans set of cards supplied with Tipple table
perform for friends or family should turn to surprise when the card you would be perfect for using with the RATING: 75%
consider. randomly ended up on is turned routines that I originally supplied,

In the Bill It effect you hold a pad of There is a reset, claimed to take
Post It notes in your hand and start fifteen seconds but which I think WHAT’S HOT: nothing, it is
to peel sheets off one at a time into would take longer. The note can be not even luck warm
a spectator’s hand. On the third handed out for examination but the WHAT’S NOT: the price, the
sheet the Post It note transforms Post It pad cannot be examined. effect and the fact that you
into a bank note. Effect over. could only use it in very limited
What you get for your £27 is a pad situations, so pretty much
The whole thing takes about ten of Post It notes, a cheap plastic everything.
BILL IT to fifteen seconds to perform, is gimmick and eleven minutes of RATING: 10%
SansMinds, Workers Series quite angle sensitive, best viewed downloadable instructions.
Available from any Murphy’s directly from the front and just
retailer or dealers contact about suitable for posting on social The first seven minutes tell you
www.murphysmagic.com media but not really much use in how to assemble the gimmick.
Price: £27.00 any other situation. There is nothing else to say. SB

32 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

0-20% = VERY POOR | 21-40% = A BIT WEAK | 41-60% = REASONABLE | 61-80% = GOOD | 81-100% = EXCELLENT THE REVIEWS
removed and turned over, they suitable for a small audience
match exactly. When each deck is parlour type show especially with
turned face up, every card in each a husband and wife or partners
deck is completely blank. presentation. If I wasn’t surprised
at a dealer marketing an item that
You receive two blank decks of felt rather dated and similar to
cards, two duplicate cards and other marketed tricks, I am utterly
a certain something that aids the gobsmacked at the ridiculous price
trick, to give you a ‘rough’ idea. for a package that contains two
The method is fine, the trick is blank face decks, two duplicate
very easy to do and would suit cards and a small amount of
a novice. The best part is that ‘stuff’, which in some cases is the
two spectators do all the work best part of forty quid! If you can
according to your instructions live with that you get a hobbyists
without you having to touch the dream trick that requires no skill,
CHOICE up with similar methods for this cards. has a strong effect and a kicker
Jerome Sauloup type of plot. At least its lack of ending! PP
Available from any Murphy’s retailer originality won’t be apparent to a The online instruction video feels
or dealers contact lay audience. interminably long at 35 minutes
www.murphysmagic.com for a method that could be easily WHAT’S HOT: An easy to
Price: £37.00 Two spectators have a red and explained in 15 including the perform method that with a little
blue deck and deal face down ‘bonus’ ideas, one of which offers audience management doesn’t
cards stopping at random places a slight improvement to the original even require you to touch the
Jerome Sauloup’s Choice is a in the pack. They exchange each by having a regular card on the cards. Strong effect with a
nice trick but similar to a lot of other’s cards at the position where bottom of each pack. That didn’t kicker finish
other ‘Gemini Twins’ coincidence they stopped and reassemble both take long to explain did it! WHAT’S NOT: Similar to other
type tricks that have been on the decks and swap decks. When the marketed tricks and far too
market in recent years. That’s cards are spread across the table, The reset involves too much for expensive for what is supplied
not to say there is plagiarism the stranger backed card is found mix and mingle/walk around gigs RATING: 55%
going on, just that creators come in each deck but when they are so it remains a one-off trick, but

and more of a bandwagon. are better versions of so many of lazy. To describe any of this as
Liam Montier at Big Blind Media these routines out there, and b) “a worker” is stretching credulity.
seemingly pounces on any this is not what Carey does best. Sorry, Liam, I really am, but I fail to
collection of easy-to-remember get this. John Carey cannot crave
card tricks which are simple to I am well aware I sound more exposure than he already
execute but OK in execution. BBM depressingly world-weary about enjoys, surely. BG
alone have been responsible for this, but to me this type of material
the bloated genre that is described has either already been explored,
as ‘Self Working Card Magic’, as or is delivered better than this by WHAT’S HOT: nothing hot;
well as the myriad others who have the inclusion of some sleight of there are three lukewarm
clambered onto the bandwagon hand. I’m not sure why we are effects herein. Carey explains
(Cameron Francis, Ryan Schultz, prepared to make so much of the stuff lucidly, so if you want any
John Bannon, Steve Beam: I’m low road - when did it become of this material, he’ll teach it
looking at you). undesirable to learn your craft? to you. And to watch him is
Particularly when that craft has to share the company of a
John Carey is highly fecund: he gifted advocates such as John genuinely nice chap.
has released a lot of product. I like Carey to meld sleight-of-hand card WHAT’S NOT: the
watching Carey perform, but lately magic with engaging presentation? needlessness of it all. Even
SWEET SIMPLICITY he has clearly kept his hand off the the artwork on the cover is
John Carey quality control button. To my eyes The inclusion of an approach naff. I fear this overcooked
Available from any Murphy’s Carey is at his best with smart to ‘The Trick That Can’t Be genre has become self-serving
retailer or dealers contact www. routining underpinned by nifty Explained’ is a particular low point. and copyist since Trost’s and
murphysmagic.com handling with cards. It sidesteps the entire point of Beam’s days.
Price: £22.00 Vernon’s original and is the magical RATING: 25%
To be fair (for a moment) there is equivalent of the ready meal: a
some useable material contained short instant gratification, with no
The runaway truck, bearing the within this collection. I liked his lasting goodness in it and leaving
John Carey brand overprinted handling of Equivoque, and the you feeling slightly cheated.
onto the Eddie Stobart logo, Rainbow Deck is something you
continues its unbreakable roll, might find useable. The ‘I In 52’ Look: if you like self-working stuff
seemingly unstoppable. is an example of experienced there is already a wealth of it out
thinking and routining, but I’m still there (much of it branded BBM).
Actually this is less of a truck not sure… why. Because a) there It’s largely become derivative and

SUBSCRIBE AT: WWW.MAGICSEEN.COM 33

 THE REVIEWS
as some self-working mathematical How’s this for attention to detail. Impossible’, a good effect with a fine
effects and close-up mentalism. Powers has set up a dedicated site presentational hook.
Truly something for everyone. containing some 60 films that teach
the moves needed for any of the I hugely enjoyed exploring this
It is a large format book, on very effects. Annoyingly each separate weighty book, which was more
nice paper to show the 300+ clear film is password protected and fun and consistently practical than
photographs off to good effect. the password has to be entered its physical appearance and the
Personally I found the book design for each. Not user-friendly, but author’s weighty CV leads you
and layout somewhat archaic, even indicative of how fiercely he protects to expect. If you like your magic
slightly off-putting but then book his hard won secrets. to be thought-provoking as well
layouts are part of my business as inspiring you to pick up the
so I’m probably unnecessarily a The book is divided into eight necessary materials to try your
pointy-head about it. sections: Unprepared Card favourites out right away, you will
Mysteries; Prepared Card Mysteries; not regret this purchase. BG
Aficionados will turn immediately to Faro Slough Off Ideas; Scripted
the final effect in the book, bearing Mysteries; Friends; Moves; Pure
the unlikely title ‘Heisting Histed Mathematics; Miscellaneous WHAT’S HOT: high quality
TESSERACT Heisted 3.0’, his latest version of an Mysteries. The titles might lead you throughout; it will intrigue
Mike Powers effect he’s been committed to for to expect a rather heavyweight, you as well as provide you
Hard backed with dust jacket,11” many years, and highly regarded even theoretical approach, but something you’ll actually use.
by 8.5”, 296pp, b+w photos, among the underground. Starting in practice the contents pass the It will speak to the enthusiast
illustrations, 60 online teaching out as a self-worker, Powers turbo- practicality test. within you and encourage you
videos boosted it in his previous book to explore many of its routines.
Available from any Murphy’s retailer ‘Power Plays’ by bringing in that They also represent his catholic The online films are a welcome
or dealers contact prop so beloved of scientists, the magical tastes. Self-working effects addition. The book is very well
www.murphysmagic.com mem deck. rub shoulders with gimmicked written and taught. Great VFM.
Price: £52.00 cards, alongside a plethora of WHAT’S NOT: his heavy
Here he has replaced that stricture sleights with titles such as Double leaning towards cards may put
with a Si Stebbins set up and some Lift From Centre, Finessed Gallo some off. I didn’t warm to the
Subtitled ‘Magic – The Hidden ingenious (and not difficult) mental Shuffle, Kelly Bottom Replacement, layout design. This is a book for
Dimension’ you know you’re in for calculations. He clearly regards the Centripetal Force and the Willis the serious reader, which again
an interesting read when the author this as the book’s highlight, and it Kenney Deceptive Control(!) and would not endear it to those
is a professor of physics, as well manages to be both interesting and the aforementioned Faro Slough more casual about their magic
as a published magician of long strong. Off – not as offputting as the name literature.
standing (for over ten years Mike led suggests, since it avoids the need RATING: 85%
the ‘Card Corner’ column in ‘The Five people are each given a for full faro ability. Powers enjoys
Linking Ring’). He even chooses packet of cards from which they colourful scripted narratives, with
for his title a scientific term literally mentally select one. They each more than a nod to the Bizarre.
meaning ‘a multi-dimensional shuffle their packets and then
geometric structure involving the assemble them into a single packet The self-working material is of
hidden 4th dimension’. Yes, quite. which is given a final shuffle by high quality, and manages to hide
one of the spectators. Despite the mathematical principles well.
I first encountered the author in all this cleanness you are able to On most of them you will not be
1990 when I purchased his superb determine each person’s card in aware of the principle making
book, ‘Top Secret Stuff’. You might different ways. He adds a less the thing possible. If mentalism
know him through his marketed convincing but self-working version interests you, it is well catered
effect ‘Diminishing Returns’ which for those who find the main version for here. I particularly loved his
became something of a minor too demanding. This is serious cloaking of ‘Bank Nite’. ‘Ring
classic upon its release in 2002. thinking at its best, manifesting Bandit’, built upon Bill Kalush’s
‘Tesseract’ contains 55 items, the as a workable solution to direct classic ‘Rubber Ringer’ is another
majority with cards but also coins, a mentalism. standout for me, as is the Cameron
nifty rubber band/ring routine as well Francis contribution ‘Impossible vs

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0-20% = VERY POOR | 21-40% = A BIT WEAK | 41-60% = REASONABLE | 61-80% = GOOD | 81-100% = EXCELLENT THE REVIEWS
the perceived need to make the the creator, someone who has over
information on the disc or fob look time tweaked and refined everything
as if it has been engraved rather about the product in order to suit
than written. The same issue could genuine performance conditions.
potentially apply here too, but Collard 2 is one of the latter types
because Collard is a much more of effect. Listening to John and
lighthearted effect, I think there is far Levent discussing the detail of
less scrutiny of the trick’s outcome, what is essentially a very simple
and therefore the fact that the idea, reveals a depth of experience
audience compiled name is on the and understanding of the small
dog tag is more simply a pleasant details that make a big difference,
result of the preceeding few minutes and that is why Collard 2 can be
of fun and entertainment. wholeheartedly recommended to
busy working performers.
The instructions come via the usual
the toy’s collar from the start. The online video directions. There’s a live If you are a serious mentalist, I don’t
trick has its origins in Al Koran’s performance of John presenting the think this effect will be quite right for
COLLARD 2 Medallion, and Don Wayne’s Room effect, which is helpful as it allows you. However, if you take a more
John Archer Service, but the concept of creating you to understand how it is possible lighthearted approach to your work,
Available from any Murphy’s a name for a toy dog is pure Archer! to get fun out of the situation that Collard 2 has much to recommend it.
retailer or dealers contact www. the magic creates. Then there’s a I think it is especially suited to those
murphysmagic.com This iteration of Collard shows a 21 minute explanation segment in stand up performers who combine
Price: £45.00 number of improvements and small which John goes through everything magic and mentalism in their shows,
but important embellishments on you need to know to technically as this routine is primarily about fun
the original effect that appeared on work the routine. And finally there’s and entertainment and less about
John Archer is one of those John’s DVD Educating Archer and a 17 minute chat between John and mentalism, and as such it is £45 very
mentalists who manages to combine which was also sold as a stand experienced commercial performer well spent. ML
laugh out loud comedy with mind alone product in the mid 2000’s. Levent, who regularly uses Collard.
magic, and this routine is a perfect The quality of the products supplied
example of just how wonderfully by Vanishing Inc looks excellent There are basically two different WHAT’S HOT: lots of comic
effective it can be. (you receive pretty much everything types of marketed effects. There potential in the presentation
required, except the stuffed are those which have been devised combined with a practical no-
In essence the plot is that several dog!), and the routining has been with the hobbyist magician in mind, nonsense method that won’t
audience members contribute to streamlined to make this an easy to and these often lack in terms of tax you unduly or let you down
creating a unique name for the perform routine. cohesive plot or attention to practical WHAT’S NOT: you don’t have
performer’s stuffed dog, a name that considerations. Then there are to be John Archer to get the
impossibly turns out to be already One of the challenges that worries those tricks which have come to most out of this, but it helps
inscribed on the name tag that many performers when performing the marketplace after they have RATING: 85%
has been in view and attached to the Koran or Wayne versions, is been worked for many years by

From the creator of Lost for Words, The instructions come in the form The effect itself is not hard to
Counter Intelligence is the latest of a 36 page printed booklet which do and it is completely baffling,
release from the brilliant mind of is clear and concise. Everything you especially the final reveal of
Steve Wood. need to know is there and easy to the secret code word which as
follow along with scripting should previously mentioned can be a
Based upon the story of a spy you wish to follow it word for word. completely different word each
mission, a spectator is given a series Additional video tutorials are also time you perform this.
of 50/50 choices. After deciding on available from Steve if you supply
6 or 7 choices (which happen to all him with the number and code Due to the method it is worth
be correct) they are also shown to word from the contents page of the noting that Counter Intelligence will
have predicted a secret code word booklet. only work in English so bear this
which has been on the table from in mind if you perform in any other
the very start. This can be a different The method for this effect is so language.
word EVERY time! clever and must have taken an
age to get right. The method for Counter Intelligence is another
COUNTER You are supplied with a set of cards the 50/50 choice(s) section of the solid release from Steve Wood and
INTELLIGENCE along with a couple of marker pens routine reminded me a little of an I for one am looking forward to
Steve Wood to use while performing. effect we published back in issue 3 what he comes up with next. PS
Available from www. of Magicseen by Max Maven called
stevewoodmagician.com/products There is a small amount of Frozen Rodent. Without giving away WHAT’S HOT: Brilliantly clever
Price: £29.99 preparation but this is a one time the method if you are familiar with method
procedure so once done you Max's routine then you will know WHAT’S NOT: nothing really
shouldn't really have to do it again. what I mean. RATING: 85%

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 THE REVIEWS
riffled off face down. A small amount to have already predicted – but that
of work is needed to tailor the deck is a presentational trap of a lot of
to your local currency. modern mindreading!

The online instructions could have There are two videos on the RSVP
been better structured, giving an website, one achieves puzzlement,
overview of the principles rather than the other, shot in Covent Garden,
diving straight into a detailed card plays much stronger. The trick
by card setup. A written crib sheet cannot be repeated so is not
for the UK and US currencies would suitable for walkabout but could be
also have been useful, even if this done as an extra special item at the
was a downloadable PDF. end. CP

Another small grumble, only two of

the four suits are provided for the WHAT’S HOT: strong,
non force cards. The method relies practical, prediction effect using
on the colour and value of these cards and a borrowed coin.
ON THE MONEY show, say, heads. The performer cards and could include all four suits. WHAT’S NOT: single trick
gaffed deck, cannot be
Gavin James runs though the deck and cuts to This is not likely to be important in
Available from any Murphy’s retailer a card, the spectator names his performance (who will notice only repeated to the same audience.
or dealers contact chosen card – it matches. The card two suits flash by) but a simple extra Arguably not quite strong
www.murphysmagic.com is then turned over to reveal a written 2 seconds in assembling the trick enough to feature or close.
Price: £30.00 prediction of a 50 pence coin tossed could have avoided that. RATING: 55%
to land on heads.
The effect is strong, though needs
A card is selected in a very fair The red Bicycle deck is gaffed for good presentation to lift it from a
manner. A spectator chooses any this one trick and, using an age old puzzle to feature status. Part of this
coin, for example 50p, from a principle, forces a card despite a is deciding how, or whether, you
handful of change and tosses it to genuinely free stop as the cards are mindread something that you claim

together and orientated in the to say so over to you.” It is also

same way. You will have to work claimed to be a “reputation
out how to get to this starting maker”. You might not want to
position on your own. Even in rest your reputation on this effect
the demonstration video the and a couple of tatty plastic
double thickness of the two coins. SB
coins is visible. If you’re using the
interactive handling the thickness is
further increased by the addition of
WHAT’S HOT: nothing
a magnet to the real coin.
WHAT’S NOT: over hyped
and massively over priced.
The twenty minutes of instructions
RATING: 10%
give you three ways to present
the effect, all broadly the same.
and yet another in the seemingly At times it felt like a barely
OMNI COIN endless overpriced ten second disguised excuse to try and sell
SansMinds, Workers Series. tricks from SansMinds. you other SansMinds products.
Available from any Murphy’s If you want to perform the
retailer or dealers contact It is available in different currencies, ‘Visual Interactive Handling’
www.murphysmagic.com including apparently a British 2p then you are recommended to
Price: £27.00 piece. The ‘coins’ in my set were buy SansMinds Silent Assistant
discs of plastic with a cheap $49.99. Alternatively, try the Bonus
looking piece of paper stuck to effect using the SansMinds special
Named after the much used Omni one side showing the image of a Sharpie, $24.95. Concerned how
Deck this is an attempt to transfer Kennedy half dollar. They looked to carry the plastic coins, stop
the concept to coins. The effect, and felt cheap. This might be them getting scratched and be
with slight variations in handling, offset if there was original creative able to retrieve them easily? Buy
is that a real coin is displayed thinking in the structure and the SansMinds wallet, $49.95.
and placed in a spectator’s hand. composition of the effect. There
Work the magic and the real coin isn’t. In the Final Thoughts you are
transforms into a plastic version exhorted to “Let your imagination
of a same value coin. It is a To perform you start with a real go wild”, usually a euphemism for
JAMES WENT
completely underwhelming effect coin and the Omni Coin held “We can’t think of anything else

36 MAGICSEEN MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 2019

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So what do you get for your some practice to make the actions
money? What you get is an effect fluid.
which has been thought through
and carefully constructed. The Both effects need a table
construction disguises the method, top and are ideal for small
emphasises the impossibility of the groups or a parlour setting.
effect with the aim, successfully, The video instructions include
of creating the biggest impact a live performance, very clear
possible. explanations and details of how
to make a replacement gimmick if
The attention to detail, timing, required. SB
misdirection and presentation is
really a masterclass in how quite
WHAT’S HOT: material that
simple technique can be deployed
you will use. More importantly,
to create strong magic. The effect
a case study in how to think
ten coins as a surprise ending. is a very good illustration of the
DEBAJO You also get a variation to the first Leonardo da Vinci maxim “Details
through and add subtlety and
thoughtful construction to an
Juan Luis Rubiales effect using different objects. make perfection, and perfection
effect, a transferable skill you
Available from any Murphy’s retailer is not a detail.” It is the detail that
can use to improve all your
or dealers contact Inside the small Debajo package makes this effect work.
magic.
www.murphysmagic.com there is a single gimmicked
WHAT’S NOT: nothing
Price: £16.00 playing card, and a link to just In both routines the work with
RATING: 80%
over forty minutes of instructions. the coins is made easy using the
At first sight it does not seem Debajo gimmick. In the matrix
With Debajo you get two effects. that you are getting much for effect, unknown to the audience,
The first is an easy to do card and your money, particularly as the eight coins are on the table from
coin effect with a strong impact in gimmick, although well made, is the start. In this second effect you
which spectators can apparently not some brand new concept, it will need to learn how to pick up a
correctly name playing cards is something you may have come card and coin cleanly and to switch
placed face down on the table. across before. Similarly, although a coin between two cards. None of
The second effect is a coin matrix the first coin and card effect is this is very difficult and everything
with a twist, more difficult to do quite strong the principle used is you need to know is very clearly
but which has the production of also well known to magicians. explained. You will need to do

favourite plot - Card At Any As with all of Astor's effects effect. This may put some people
Number (CAAN), with a twist. Numbered uses a simple method. off who have pocket space
In fact the main method involved issues when performing.
You begin by showing a prediction will be very familiar to most
playing card which is underneath magicians. The app and the deck As with all of Astor's effects, if
the card box cellophane wrapper. do all the hard work meaning you you like the look of it from the
The prediction has a blank yellow can focus on the presentation. trailers then I would recommend
sticker stuck to it. Opening an app buying it. You will not be
on your phone you show a number The effect could be repeated with disappointed. PS
counter counting for 1 to 52. A a different number should you wish
spectator is asked to stop the to but as with all magic it is not
counter anywhere they like. They recommended. It would be a good WHAT’S HOT: Good solid
can change their mind as many effect however, to use if you're routine that looks impossible
times as they like should they wish. tablehopping as anyone following WHAT’S NOT: The counter is
Say they stop on the number 15. you around would see it performed not so much an app as a web
You then write 15 on the yellow with a different number each time page. Deck can only be used
NUMBERED sticker on the prediction card with which is a huge benefit. You would for this one effect
Astor Magic a white board pen. have to use the same prediction RATING: 75%
Available from card however due to the method.
www.astormagic.com You remove the cards from the
Price: €45 (approx £42) box and count down 15 cards. When you receive Numbered there
You show that if they stopped the is a small amount of DIY for you
counter one number before or to do. This will only take around
I must admit to being a real fan one number after they would have 5-10 mins though and is a one
of Astor's magic. Whenever I see got a different card. You turn over time task.
him at a convention, more often the 15th card showing it matches
than not, I end up buying one of your prediction. Not only that but it At approximately £42 it's not a
his new releases. Numbered is has a yellow sticker on it with the cheap effect, especially when you
Astor's take on the magician's number 15 written on it. can only use the deck for this one

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