In the Works: The (W)hole Thing
An Occasional Series About Effects That I'm Working On
I wish that every trick that I learn could become "A" material for my stand-up or close-up sets. However, this is clearly not the case as my office is littered with the remnants of tricks that I've worked up and ultimately gave up. I've even been known to occasionally find in my close-up case a long unused packet of gimmicked cards and had no recollection what trick was associated with them.
With this in mind, I was impressed with Daryl's "The (W)hole Thing," a packet trick of jumbo-sized cards that features lots of fun, built-in wordplay and a crazy progression of events. It's much like a "Sidewalk Shuffle" meets "What's Next?" Only thing is, I get far better reactions performing either classic "Sidewalk Shuffle" or "What's Next?"
In Daryl's hands, the trick is fantastic. As you can see in his video, the clever wordplay involves "hole" cards, jumbo cards with holes in them and "whole" cards, jumbo cards that are whole.
I've been trying this trick out at my restaurants and it's been getting good reactions. However, it falls slightly short. It's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what isn't right when I perform the trick, but the progression of events feels rather forced and I can't seem to get the presentation and timing right to unveil the revelations in a manner that gets the maximum reaction.
So, after some time, I can't seem to get this one to feel right and ultimately "groove" with my audiences. But on the other hand, I'm not sure that I'm ready to give up on the trick either. Perhaps it's time to go back and write a new script with a different tact. Or maybe I'll have to ultimately accept that the trick just isn't right for my performing persona.
More Reading:
Seven Themes to Apply to Your Magic
Dealing with Nervousness
The Five Biggest Mistakes Made by Beginning Magicians
Comments
Hello Wayne,
That seems to be the case, all too often.
The Routine is beautiful in the hands of the creator, but when others try to Perform it, it falls short.
I had been looking for a Good Routine for the Locking $1.35 for years, as most of the Routines involve “Patter” that goes something like, I spent this much on Bills, and had this much left over for my Magic.
Not exactly “engaging” to the audience.
After watching one of Eugene Burger’s DVDs the thought of Imagination, came to mind.
I talk about how we sometimes have dreams, and when we wake up, we are not sure if it is our imagination playing tricks on us, or if it actually happened.
I then Present the first 3 Coins, The Half, The Quarter, and Dime, as “Imaginary Coins” and even allow the spectator to touch them (while I am still holding them) and then Present the last Half Dollar as the only Real Coin.
I place it in my closed left hand, along with the other Coins, and ask how many Coins did I put in my hand, and remind them of how many I said were real.
I open my hand to reveal only the Half Dollar, and explain that this is how our Imagination plays tricks on us.
This Routine went over so well, the “Magicians” at Houdini’s Magic Shop in Las Vegas did not even know what Coin Set was used, and, THEY SELL THE LOCKING $1.35 Trick!!!!!
I had to laugh.
Perhaps finding a Story that fits your Presentation Style is the answer.
I am with you, when it comes to Packet tricks you were working on, and forgot what they were!
Allen