Andrew Normansell’s comedy DVD offers a strong selection of commercial stage effects. This DVD does not present an act, but several routines that are largely weighted towards cards. Normansell has an engaging stage presence and the effects he presents here offer lots of opportunities to interact with spectators and are not difficult to perform.
According to the liner notes, Normansell has made his living performing magic for some twenty years by working for prestigious companies both in the UK and abroad and is a regular on the UK comedy club circuit.
“Double Cross including the Moroccan Rising Card” offers a strong card transposition where two chosen cards change places. Normansell follows this with an intriguing card revelation where he pulls on a cord in his jacket and a third chosen card rises from the deck. In this stage routine, Normansell interacts with two on-stage spectators and gets excellent results. Those with basic card sleight-of-hand skills can quickly learn this one.
Cards Across and Gags
“Economy Flight” is Normansell’s take on the cards across effect, complete with two spectators. What’s notable here is that Normansell has come up with a diabolically simple method that is sure fire and requires none of the traditional palming. Those who want to perform cards across but aren’t confident with their palming skills will probably appreciate this one.
“Heat Seeker” is a vanishing lit cigarette using the typical method that’s followed by a startling flaming wallet. This is a good, funny and visual bit that will get everyone’s attention. His “Gag Torn & Restored Napkin” offers another comedy bit where Normansell performs the classic torn and restored napkin, but exposes the secret in a hilarious way. This one is strictly for laughs and if you perform it, you will reveal the secret.
Coins Across
“Squeeky” is a short comedy bit that’s visual and funny, if not a bit mean to a bald person. Here, Normansell wipes a man’s bald head to literally test if it’s squeeky cleen.
“Solid Silver” is Normansell’s stage version of the classic coins across with the usual gimmick-based method. In Normansell’s take, he brings two spectators onstage to watch the miracle, which builds-up the response. In most magicians hands, coins across is typically a close-up effect where coins fly across from one hand to the other, one by one, and the routine is soon over. In Normansell’s hands, coins across is a full, entertaining stage routine. And what he teaches here can improve your close-up version of the effect.
“Pro Invisible Deck” is Normansell’s take on the Invisible Deck, the classic dealer item. While Normansell’s presentation is entertaining and funny, it wasn’t all that different from the standard presentation that many magicians use. With the exception of a few one-liners, I felt that I had seen this routine before, many times. Finally, Normansell offers a rising card effect that also uses the typical dealer item.
