Review: Magic At The Edge (3 DVD SET) by Jeff McBride

Art Attack

Disc 3 is called "Art Attack." The Chen Lee Mcburger Water Suspension is an in-the-hands, close-up approach to the classic parlor routine that doesn't rely on the typical magic shop props.

You roll up a bill and pour water into it. And then you run a ribbon through the rolled-up bill to prove that nothing is there - the ribbon doesn’t get wet. Finally, you pour water from the bill back into another container.

The first of several magic shop, prop-based routines is a performance by Abbi McBride of the Water in the Newspaper. McBride also explains how to perform Gordon Bean's Jinks packet card trick and offers an intriguing patter about spreading magic and joy. You'll need to purchase the props to perform these effects.

Look in the Bright Side

Inspired by a poem by Shel Silverstein, Listen to the Mustn'ts offers a theme of hope and courage as blank cards fill with images. This is the first of several routines on this disc that follow McBrides theme of gifting and magic with props that you give away.

Created by Alan Wong, Hermetic Star Gazer is a cool rubber band effect with a great giveaway, a star-shaped rubberband that seemingly retains the form of a figure that you created with your hands. You'll need to purchase the props to perform this one.

McBride offers some tips on performing classic Spellbound where coins change. McBride also offers a presentation for classic Okito Wicker Rising Doll in Burning Man in the Hand. Here, a small wicker man mysteriously rises in your hand of its own accord.

From the Fire

The final routine is a visual effect where a small gift seems to manifest itself with fire, which offers lots of strong interaction with spectators.

A spectator is asked to write a wishing word on a piece of paper, which is folded and handed around so others may recite their own wishes. The paper is dropped into a bowl and lit, and when the flash of fire subsides, there's a small gift in its place. Very cool.

Buy this DVD set for the great effects. And also buy it to study the lessons that will improve your magic. We all can't be Jeff McBride, but he provides a great model to look up and aim towards.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $99.99

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