Wallet Night at Sussex Magic Circle

18 June 2006

A well-attended evening saw a confident Alan Humphries perform his audition. A very slick poker routine was followed by a lightning two card transposition. A well executed double card prediction with multicolour backed cards was followed with a powerful card revelation-the name of the chosen card appearing on his forearm when cards ashes were rubbed on it. An excellent audition from an entertaining and clearly experienced close-up worker.

Stuart Harley opened the evening demonstrating some of the many wallets he has, in particular, the flaming wallet. His wallet was actually suitable for performing card to wallet, rather than just bursting into flames.

Next on was our esteemed Treasurer, Paul Leacy, demonstrating the Keith Bennet card to hip wallet. (I think it's one of the most practical methods of performing this trick-access for the palmed card is very good and no guide is required)

Andrew Jeffrey, our Club President demonstrated many and various wallet type effects. A disappearing Elephant packet effect, displayed with a view to being sold and an explosive wallet which had the practicality of an ancient musket, were aperitifs for the feast to follow. The thought transmitter, for the serious Mentalist-expensive but worth it. From the countless awards-winning Andrew, that is a high recommendation. A basic wallet, possibly a Pat Page creation, was shown. A simple idea that works. Andrew also recommended a Jerry O'Connell wallet. This was just a stylish professional wallet for holding packet tricks-although it isn't used to perform a specific trick with, it creates the right impression and as Andrew rightly says, creating the right impression is vital. A method using magnetism to retain a card was demonstrated and this was followed by a real gem-a card appearing inside a stapled packet. I, and I suspect, many of the audience were totally fooled by this. Andrew shared the method with us. As this is probably a written-up effect, I will not reveal it here-it was amazingly deceptive. Andrew also shared an audacious add-a-no method that can be done with a plastic wallet that would usually carry a packet trick.

Andrew discussed the Visa Cabaret effect and then went on to demonstrate his Gucci wallet-this being his favoured method of performing card to wallet. Useful performance pointers were given here-particularly to not focus on the wallet when performing effects of this type.

Andrew rounded off his contribution to the evening with a superb piece of storytelling theatre that finished with a powerful card prediction. It was a polished professional routine that was a joy to watch. Well done!

Matt Parr demonstrated a card to wallet method which certainly fooled me. Nice wallet. I wonder where he got it? He also demonstrated a paper transposition effect that forms part of his repertoire. The multi-skilled Matt Parr is the future of close-up magic, watch this space?

Last but not least Paul Leacy demonstrated a card to spectator's wallet and a switch wallet routine, which was very well received- (I would say to tumultuous applause, but that would be stretching it a bit)

Finally a big thank you to Bertie Pearce for providing teas and coffees in the interval. Bertie is just an all round good egg who we have missed from SMC meetings for a while. Welcome back Bertie!

Paul Leacy
Sussex Magic Circle Treasurer
P.S. Congratulations to Marc Powell on his recent arrival. Mother and baby are doing well. In five years from now, I am available for your youngster's Birthday Party.

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