Nick Einhorn: Practical Magic

2 May 2004

I was disappointed not to see Jeremy LePoidevin, but that tells you something about my intelligence. The lecture was excellent, the lecturer immediately likeable.

His opener, The Unicorn Coin in bottle, was obviously routined for working tables in the real world, starting and finishing with a bottle appearance and disappearance a worker that I will be trying soon!

Nick followed this with a walkaround routine, a Triumph routine combined with signed Card to Wallet. It s a three-phase routine, and Nick pointed out that it is good psychology to add a kicker ending; having known Paul Gordon for years I m certain he would agree!

Transpose was Nick s third routine. I thought for a moment that I had found a way to use the coins supplied with Lethal Tender, but these coins are better. Instead of the plastic wallet there is a coin purse involved; it looked just like real Magic should look!

We then moved onto a book test.  I always worry when visiting magicians reveal mentalism methods, if only for selfish reasons, but to be honest I needn't have worried Nick explained the concept gimmicking a business card to force a particular section of a page. It was an interesting use of branching anagrams as well, and I suspect that Nick sold many more lecture notes as a result of this very smart idea.

Before the break we had two further routines. Firstly, a hugely commercial Pseudo-psychometry routine suitable for trade shows.  The spectator mixed the cards, put them into envelopes and then passed them to the magician. For me, the ending was the most brilliant thing in the lecture; a solution to the age-old problem of anti-climax during such routines. The methodology was the age-old magnetic touch, but the magician s choice application at the end was a joy to behold. The trade-show idea was good; using flexibility or customer services as cards instead of ESP symbols added to the versatility of the effect.

The second effect was Watch Match, a watch synchronsation effect. The story behind it was a time when Banachek s PK Time failed, and Nick made up an effect on the spot. Very commercial, and all based on good timing. (Sorry; couldn't resist).

The second half kicked off with an impromptu coin to glass using a borrowed coin a nice old trick that Nick mentioned was very effective for teaching lay people.

Next came a multi-phase routine involving flash wool, ring flight and linking finger rings, and lots of applause. "Just Hold Back on That Enthusiasm for one moment longer was a nice line that many of us will use, I suspect! It involved the classic Linking rings in a glass. What was so nice about this was that the routining was fabulous every little detail was carefully crafted and nothing was left to chance. Even a little extra piece involving making a diamond ring grow was added as an extra bit of business. Isolate the moments of magic great advice.

A quick close-up card trick called The Money Deck ensued coins appearing under a deck. Sneaky method too cool to give away if you weren't there.

A good example of creating new effects from old methods caught me out a freely chosen card has a different coloured back. The Martini Deck (Stop anytime, anyplace, anywhere). Versatile as the back could have a company logo on it as well...ribbon spread  allows you to show the deck either colour.

A quicky with a spectator was followed by a superb ACAAN effect. This was another effect that Nick said he would do at a table if he could only do a couple- very strong effect on an audience. Breather used as a location was effective, and the flick through to force the top card which falls slightly longer. Do me a favour just remember one of these cards timing is important so you finish the instruction as you get to the last two cards. Get a break over bottom 6 cards as mist people ask for 7 cut them to the top. (Just as a memory jogger!)

Nick showed us another book test, involving a free choice and which created a good impression.  Good idea to use a book that was relevant to the trade show involved. Commercial stuff!

As a teaser, Nick showed us Spooked, his version of the haunted deck he didn't reveal its secret, but it was left to use to think about the fact that the cards were on the floor added something to the effect it is a popular trick with lay audiences.

It was, as they say, a something-for-everyone evening. I look forward to practising some of his routines.

AJ

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