If you want to learn an excellent stand-up coin routine, Eric Evans’ teaches an entertaining and bewildering one on this DVD. Here, a silver dollar goes through a series of mind-bending productions, vanishes, transpositions, penetrations, and transformations, and the routine climaxes in a seemingly-endless, barehanded production of jumbo coins.
Forged on the Streets
Since Evans is a street performer the routine is best suited for the street-no surprise here-but may be adapted for stage and even close-up work. And even if you don’t perform Evans’ routine, the DVD teaches lots of amazing sleights and moves. In particular, the DVD is worth buying just to learn Evan’s continuous jumbo coin production, along with its related acquitments and other moves.
As a stand-up coin routine, most of the action occurs above the waist. In the mid-part of the routine, however, there are segments where the coin vanishes from the fabric of the trousers and passes through the knees. When Evans performs these segments on the street, he stands on a chair for better visibility. There’s also a segment early on when he’s still gathering a crowd where he makes the coin disappears underneath his shoe.
Sleight Heavy
In all, the DVD adequately explains some 30 sleights and moves, and throughout, Evans offers lots of insight into adapting and modifying them so they can work in almost any situation. The routine is heavy on sleights and relies on such moves as the back-palm; muscle pass (both hands) and more. Beginners will likely be overwhelmed, but the DVD is great for intermediate and advanced magicians. And throughout, Evans offers excellent and clear explanations.
The DVD comes with two jumbo coins. The coins are blanks that somewhat resemble round table-saw blades. The milling initially feels rather sharp, but they’re made to be easy to grip, and they are.
Nod to Cellini
In many ways, Evans routine resemble Cellini’s, as explained in "Cellini, Art of Street Performing, New Orleans, Volume II". This is to be expected as Evans worked with Cellini and attributes him throughout the explanations. While Cellini offers an excellent coin routine on "Cellini, Art of Street Performing, New Orleans, Volume II" (one of several routines on the disc), Evans routine is more in-depth.
Video quality isn’t top notch, but it’s adequate. In particular, the performance segment is a little hard to hear, but was recorded during a live performance with a real audience on the street. But regardless, this is an excellent DVD and coin routine.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
