Well now. This is going to be an interesting conversation. You may have noticed so far that all of my entries in this series have been rooted in my personal experience. This post is no different. Picture the scene in your mind. It’s 1982. I am with Alan Alan at The Tannens Jubilee in upstate …
Classic Routines | Cavorting & Slapping The Aces Read More »
This Post is Dedicated to my friend and mentor Darwin Ortiz. When I first read this routine as a fourteen years old, I could hardly hold a deck of cards in my hand. Just so that I could visualise the effect, I placed each of the four aces in my jacket pocket and stood in …
The next routine I would like to feature is Triumph. This is another stellar routine from Stars of Magic. It should come as no surprise to you that all the routines I have discussed so far, I learnt in my teens from this book. Now, before we go any further, take a look at this …
It may not surprise you to read that the second routine up for discussion is another classic effect direct from Stars of Magic. As a fourteen year old, Christmas Day 1978, this book was wrapped up under the Christmas Tree along with Cy Endfield’s Entertaining Card Magic. These two books had a big impact on …
This final entry on this classic plot takes an introspective look at a fascinating hybrid. The mixing of two classic plots. The mixing of Cutting The Aces and Triumph. Before going any further, take a look at this video from my Act. Castle Act: I will be the first to declare from the rooftops; “I …
My post yesterday generated a lot of positive feedback. Big thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts. In reading through my notes, I realised this particular conversation is incomplete. Rightly so because Cutting The Aces is a big subject. The routine by Dai Vernon is a presentation masterpiece. The handling described in Stars …
Welcome to a new series of blog post dedicated to classic routines. I would like to start off with this wonderful premise of Cutting The Aces. I was first exposed to this plot from reading Dai Vernon’s brilliant interpretation from Stars of Magic. Once again, I am referencing a book that has had a profound …
He passed away in 1992 and still, his teachings are present in my work. As I look at my magic now, I can see the hand and influence of Dai Vernon in all that I do. Simplicity. Directness. Pure Effect. This is my model for strong magic and effective presentation. Take a moment please to …
Before reading any further, please take a moment to watch and hopefully enjoy the following video. This video features two of my all time favourite effects: The Metamorphosis by Robert Houdin and The Tipsy Trick which was first published in The Royal Road to Card Magic. These two routines have taken half my life to …
I do not consider myself to be a creative magician – I do not create original effects, that’s not how my brain works. I work to my true power: I like to read and study the classics. I enjoy the thrill of mastering difficult Sleight of Hand. I love subtleties in card magic, audience attention …
Creation Vs Interpretation Vs Watered Down Expression Read More »
