Review-Live at the Jailhouse: a Guide to Restaurant Magic

Justin Miller performs and explains “Shockingly Sweet,” a strong torn and restored sugar packet effect. Miller’s offbeat presentation adds to the stunning revelation at the end. While I like “Shockingly Sweet,” I don’t like to see magicians performing with restaurant food. Owners can’t be happy watching their entertainers destroy sugar packets, and I’ve seen careless magicians leave messes for others to clean up after they’ve performed similar effects.

“Suggestion (performance only)” is a powerful blank card effect where Miller says that he controls spectators minds and seemingly makes them select a certain card. This one is good. Miller also performs a bit of mentalism. However, I found the routine’s setup to be too involved for restaurant work where you have to be prepared to end your routine at any time.

Sweet N Low

Finally, magician Kozmo performs and explains “Sweet'N Low Surprise,” an effect where a dollar bill vanishes and is found inside of a sugar packet, and, of course, the clincher lies in a corner of the bill that has been held by a spectator and matches.

“Live at the Jailhouse: a Guide to Restaurant Magic” offers some five hours of interviews and performances with some explanations. This DVD set can be a valuable resource to any performer who wants to break into and work restaurants. I recommend this one more for the information than the effects. In any event, this Jailhouse rocks.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $80 Click here to watch a video clip.

Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.