Review: The New Coin Magic of Dr. Sawa Vol 1

The first DVD in a comprehensive six-disc set, The New Coin Magic of Dr. Sawa Vol 1 will blow you away with some amazing coin magic. That said, the performance situations are specific - this material is best for formal, seated close-up shows - and the routines require a sizable investment in hardware. I imagine that serious coin workers, even if they don't learn and perform the routines, will want to watch this DVD for its discussions of subtleties and technique.

In See-Through Pendant, a solid silver dollar, which is worn on a chain, transforms into a decorative cut-out coin. This one will work in strolling and walk-around situations and works as a great opener. Reset is fast but will have to be done away from spectators. This one requires dedicated gimmicks.

The next set of routines can be performed on their own, but Sawa coalesces them together into a single, powerful act. In Silvers, four silver dollars change into four assorted denominations: half dollar, quarter, dime and such, and later return to their original form.

Here's an interesting idea, Mr. Feather-Light is something of an 'oil and water" routine with coins. American coins and old Japanese coins are stacked separately and continually intermingle.

After Sawa's Coins Across, his Submarine Coins provides something of a matrix routine where a coin vanishes in one spot and reappears in another. This segment, which doesn't rely on gimmicked coins, features a stunning table-based vanish that fried me. In Sawa's hands, the move looks like real magic. For coin workers, this vanish, based on one by Marlo, may be worth the price of the DVD.

In the next phase, in A Hand Slit, it appears that four large coins penetrate through your hand. In Head & Tail, you show six coins and instantly, five vanish, and then they all reappear. The finale for all this is Cheers in Bretagne! where eight silver dollars somehow merge into a single coin.

Sawa's bewildering Pushman, the star routine on this DVD, involves a small Okito Box that strangely accepts and produces far more coins than it can hold. At the end, you produce dozens of coins from the box and there's a stunning jumbo coin that appears at the end.

Max Maven does a great job of acting as translator during the explanations, and is very helpful when he stops Sawa for clarification and additional explanations.

This DVD is only for those with accomplished coin handling skills. And if you want to perform the routines. be prepared for a significant investment in coin gimmicks, specialized coin purses and more. Some of the gimmicks were new to me, I had never before seen these. I can see the dollars quickly piling up.

I think anyone who works with coins will enjoy watching this DVD and gain some insight into advanced and powerful coin work. It is indeed a pleasure to view the brilliant and creative work of Dr. Sawa.

MSRP: $34.95

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