In the second volume of his “Outlaw Magic” series, Lonnie Chevrie tips four solid close-up effects that are visual and only require fundamental sleight-of-hand skills. If the effects sound as if they’ll fit in your walk-around or close-up sets, the DVD is worth the look.
Grandpa's Dollar offers a fast, visual conversion of a one dollar bill into a $100-dollar bill. The stunning transformation occurs within a blink of an eye. The method isn’t as clean as the traditional gimmicked method, or at least it won’t look as clean to aggressive spectators who are prone to sneak around and grab at things.
I liked the way that the transformation occurred while the bill was openly held in the hands, but there is some folding that takes place before the change. The effect is not difficult to learn and perform but will take practice to do well, and it can be quickly reset in private. If you already perform a bill change, you’re probably not inclined to move to this one. But Chevrie’s method can make you stand apart.
Miss Kitty's Favorite Card Trick is a card transposition that ends with a seal of a kiss. A spectator chooses a card that is lost in the deck, and then, with a joker, the magician finds it. The spectator blows a kiss at the deck and the chosen card transposes with the joker and ends-up with a pair of lips displayed on it.
The effect requires basic card sleights and a few, fairly low-cost items that you’ll have to buy. The final card may be given away as a souvenir and the effect quickly resets and is great for walk-around.
Silver City is a coin to glass routine where coins held in one hand arrive, one at a time, into a glass that’s being held in the other hand. This visual routine is best for a close-up show as it’s not very practical to carry a glass with you as you walk around. But you can, however, use a glass that’s already sitting on a table. This one requires fundamental coin skills and immediately resets as you put it away.
Eleven Card Stud offers an entertaining counting trick. Here, the magician tries to count eleven playing cards, but can't. The spectators give him cards but the counts just don't add up. While counting tricks can be somewhat dry, Chevrie dresses this one up with lots of wry humor. It’s a good impromptu trick that can be performed at just about any time and features excellent audience interaction.
In his second DVD in the series, Chevrie offers four solid effects that can be a great addition to anyone’s close-up arsenal Throughout, Chevrie takes the time to provide two performance segments for each effect and offers excellent and thorough explanations that cover everything that you need to know.
By combining Volume one (click here to read a review) and two into a single DVD, Chevrie would have created a stronger DVD. But on its own, Captured! The Outlaw Magic of Lonnie Chevrie, Volume II serves some good effects that can serve you well.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
