Review: "Shufton's Portal" by Steve Shufton and David Regal

With new moves, routines and a prop, for magicians, it's hard to beat the excitement of an entire new close-up magic trick. The innovative "Shufton's Portal," by Steve Shufton and David Regal, offers something of a close-up version of Jerry Andrus' well known "Zone Zero."

There’s lots that can be done with this prop, which you can see in action in its promotional video.

Mini "Zone Zero"

Flat black, measuring six-inches by four-inches and with a two-inch hole in the middle, "Shufton's Portal" (MSRP: $60.00, Murphy's) allows you to produce, vanish and change small objects in the prop's hole. The kit comes with five small balls that you can use as a start in routines. The prop also offers lots of possibilities for themes: "black hole," "a fourth dimension," "worm hole" and much more.

The prop is attractive and should be quite sturdy and durable. I was skeptical at first because I thought the prop was made of some type of foam-core board. But while its outer surface will collect nicks and dents over time, I wasn't able to scratch its paint off.

Hole-ly Magic

The prop's brilliant gimmicking allows for the first rate productions, vanishes and color changes. While the prop is straight-forward to use, you'll have to practice with it, as well as the many moves for it. If you structure your routine correctly, you won't need a table to perform with the prop.

Regal does a great job of teaching the moves as well as five excellent routines, some with coins and other objects. The routines feature multiple phases and a climax at the end. As always, I enjoyed Regal's theming and humor.

"Perfect" Trick??

The ads say "Shufton's Portal is the absolute perfect trick for table hopping, walk-around, seated and stand up performances in any close-up or parlor venue, and at any time!" In response to this, I have some caveats.

Generally, you'll want your audience mostly in front of you. The prop also works in situations where your audience is standing around you.

Hole in One

My concern is that anyone who is watching from the back can see exactly how the prop works. This is not a problem during formal, close-up shows and during any performance, but it is in restaurants and strolling gigs.

The people standing behind you, who you aren't performing for, can clearly see all of the workings. I'm mostly concerned with audiences that you have already performed for and who are casually viewing the workings from the back as you perform for others. This happens to me a lot in my restaurants and during strolling gigs.

At six by four-inches, the prop will fit in a coat pocket, but I find it rather bulky to carry on me during strolling gigs. At strolling gigs, I would find it hard to dedicate that much pocket real estate to a single routine. On the plus side, in execution, a Portal routine has the potential to rival a great chop cup routine. And it has the advantage that it doesn't require a table.

In the end, "Shufton's Portal" offers an intriguing new idea and a fun prop with lots of possibilities. View the video and if you like what you see, perhaps it may work for you.

More Reading:
Inner Change by Steve Shufton
3D Paradox by Steve Shufton