A Three-Phased Act
In theory, each DVD teaches an entire act that you can perform at a table. And with three DVDs, you'll have three complete acts for three different tables and won't repeat a trick. In this review, I'll focus on Act 1 and review the other acts/DVDs in future reviews.The routines are designed to be easy to carry in your pockets and none are knuckle busters. In fact, Sheets offers downright easy methods that include card gaffs.
The Bunny Hop
Act 1 begins with sponge bunnies. I agree with Sheets that this is a powerful routine to perform for lay audiences. I also know that many experienced magicians are now rolling their eyes at reading about the well known effect.
Sheets teaches his vanish and adds some comic lines, but it's mostly the standard bunny routine. Relative to the other two effects here, I think that "bunnies" would act as a stronger closer.
Definitely middle material, Intuition is an offbeat effect with playing cards that explores ESP. The first half of the effect involves finding three selected cards and the third card changes from a joker into the third selected card. In the second half, the spectators select three cards without seeing them and are able to name the cards through something of a psychological force.
This one caught me quite off guard and quite honestly, left me rather cold. But if Sheets swears by this one, it must have merit. I might work this one up and try it out with my restaurant regulars to test its impact.
"Marked"
For the closer, Sheets offers Marked, a great packet effect where four blue backed cards turn into four red backed cards with the names of the cards written on the backs. It's a stunner with a hilarious premise, you are showing spectators how magicians and gamblers mark cards to identify them from the back .You'll need some basic card sleights to perform this one and Sheets teaches a nice variation on the standard Flustration Count. You'll have to make this trick on your own and purchase or create a gimmicked card.
Marked is a great worker effect. It's visual and has a stunning and funny outcome. It's a packet trick that takes no room and works completely in your hands, but allows you to easily perform for people as they're standing or sitting at tables. And when the trick is over, it’s already reset. Sheets can easily release this as a stand alone effect as he does with his Killer Kitson Miracle.
A Bit of Hospitality
While I'm still not sure about the second effect, Act 1 in Bob Sheets' Hospitality offers a pleasing act. You can probably learn sponge bunnies on your own without Sheets' coaching. Meanwhile, Intuition is downright different and Marked offers a strong packet effect.$30 is rather expensive for what is effectively two tricks, but Marked could be worth the price of the DVD. I'm now using it in my walk around sets and it got great reactions over this past weekend.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
MSRP: (US) $29.95
If you have any questions about this or any other product that we have reviewed, please feel free to post a message on our forum by clicking here. (You don't have to register to visit our forum, simply click on the link for "Guest Access.")
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
