DVD Review: Chop Cup (World's Greatest Magic)

This DVD combines chop cup routines from the DVDs and videos of several artists that include: David Regal, John Mendoza, Gary Ouellet, Dan Tong, Steve Dacri, Larry Jennings and Jim Swain. The DVD allows you compare routines from various pros and it’s fascinating to watch the different approaches to the effect as well as their presentations. If you want to perform chop cup or want ideas to improve your present routine, you’ll find this DVD worthwhile.

Back to the Fifties

The Chop Cup was invented by magician Al Wheatley in the early 1950s (Wheatley's stage name was "Chop Chop" which is where the name of the prop comes from). The prop allows a magician to perform a one-cup/one-ball approach to cups and balls.

I regularly perform chop cup in my restaurant work because it's a stunning effect to perform for lay spectators and the single cup requires minimal table space. Although I have to carry around the cup and plan my pockets around the effect, it's worth the effort.

Chopped Routines

With the exception of a couple of routines, there's a certain similarity to the chop cup routines on this DVD. The ball can be either be vanished or placed into the pocket and then is found under a mouth-down cup, even though the cup was empty when it was placed onto the mat. After a few more transpositions, there are large "loads," usually balls, that appear from under the cup. And there’s no way that these balls could have somehow been hidden inside of the cup.

A couple of the performers use and teach the "Charlie Miller" move where a ball is dropped onto or into the cup and falls out below. Some of the performers add a shot glass and silk to perform another penetration illusion.

In brilliant and hilarious David Regal fashion, he performs the chop cup with tiny toy mice. And Gary Ouellett performs with two cups to incorporate some of the cup to cup transpositions that are common in a conventional cups & balls routine. Another difference, Ouellett performs his chop cup routine to music.

My Favorite

My favorite routine is the one that I already use regularly in my restaurant and strolling work, and that’s Dan Tong's routine that is offered here and was originally published on his “Dan Tong: Finally! - 50 Years Of Magic Vol. 2” DVD (click here to read our review). As I said in my review of "Finally," I like the way that Tong minimizes the usual "Chop Cup" handling and exploits the strengths of the prop in a routine that’s smooth, mystifying and short and to the point.

If you’re currently working on chop cup or want ideas to improve your current routine, check out Chop Cup (World's Greatest Magic).

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $19.95

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