In the Bag
Tong’s Malini Egg Bag routine offers three phases and the production of a real glass of liquid at the end. It’s a tremendous routine with a strong kicker. The glass is real and Tong actually drinks the liquid out of it. This is a close-up routine that could be adapted for stand-up. Of course, to perform this one, you’ll need a Malini-style egg bag.Using another magic prop, Tong offers a short and fast Chop Cup routine. I like the way that Tong minimizes the usual “Chop Cup” handling and exploits the strengths of the prop into a logical routine that’s smooth and mystifying and de-emphasizes the cup. I prefer Tong’s routine over the traditional Don Alan routine that many perform.
On the Line
Card on the Line is Tong’s variation on the “Card on the Ribbon” routine, a great Jack Chanin effect. Here, Tong transposes a card that is chosen and signed by a spectator with another one chosen for the magician. The amazing thing is that the cards change places while one is threaded onto a ribbon. It’s an astounding effect that will work close-up or stand-up. The only downside is that to thread the ribbon onto the card you’ll need to carry a needle, which may not be welcome at all venues.Thompson’s Aces is a fast production of four aces that provides a solid lead for the Christopher’s Red and Black Aces transposition effect. From a shuffled deck, you quickly produce the four aces, one at a time, while cutting the cards. This one is easy to setup and is flashy and fast.
The follow-up effect that uses the four aces is "Christopher’s Red and Black Aces" (Daley’s Last Trick), a transposition routine where the red and black aces change places. It’s a good close-up card set that doesn’t require spectators to select a card.
On the Ropes
Tong’s excellent Ropes runs the gamut from cut and restored rope to “Professor’s Nightmare.” At the end, the rope appears to be completely restored into a single length. Even those who are familiar with “Professor’s Nightmare” will appreciate the brilliant way that Tong introduces the classic through a cut and restored segment and ends the routine with moving knots and ultimately, a single long rope. Tong’s handling in this stand-up effect is superb and convincing.In a Name
The final effect, Jack, is a close-up card trick that involves names. A spectator mentally selects a card that he sees in a pack of cards. The magician asks if the spectator selected “Jack.” When the spectator says “no,” the magician asks the spectator to name his card, which is removed from the pack.
After that, the magician shows that the cards have different names written on their backs and when the spectator’s card is turned over, “Jack” is indeed written on the back. To perform this one, you’ll have to dedicate a deck to the effect and the cards cannot be examined by spectators afterwards.
On this DVD, Dan Tong presents some polished and baffling worker effects that are excellent additions to any performer’s repertoire. He also offers first rate explanations that are easy to follow and presents background on the evolution of his routines.
This one is definitely worth the look.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
You can view a brief video by clicking here.
MSRP: (US) $35
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
