DVD Review: PAYphone-Corey Burke

They say that a phone call can change your life, but for one man, it’s motivation to do magic. In the DVD’s introductory video segment, a strange, seemingly random call prompts magician Corey Burke to perform tricks. The collection on this DVD is a strong mix of card and coin routines for those who have a solid foundation in sleight-of-hand.

To start, there’s the fun premise. Burke is walking by a payphone when it mysteriously rings. A caller tells Burke that he has to perform magic for those who are walking by. The setup isn’t as elaborate as that in say, Lee Asher’s “Five-Card Stud” video, but it’s an intriguing introduction to some great effects. Burke performs walkaround in lots of restaurants and the powerful routines here showcase those roots.

Burke offers two flashy coin productions: “Coinfusing Production” and “Triclops.” Both make it appear that three coins are magically produced from the air. And both can serve you well as a lead-in to a coin effect, which brings me to “EKN” and “There is a fly in my soup.”

“EKN” is Burke’s version of Darryl’s “Elbow Knee and Neck,” a rapid-fire coin routine where coins vanish in the hands and reappear in various places: the elbow, knee and neck. I like this routine because most of the intriguing magic happens above the waist with the hands up.

In appearance, “EKN” somewhat resembles Troy Hooser’s “Extroydinary,” which was published in his “DesTROYers” book. But “EKN” doesn’t require the use of the gimmick. You perform “EKN” with just three coins-and there’s no extra coin, which is a plus. I already perform “Extroydinary,” and may one day make the move to Burke’s “EKN” to rid myself of the gimmick.

“There is a fly in my soup” is Burke’s adaptation of Chris Kenner’s “Three-Fly” coin trick, but the action where the coins come together happens in spectator’s hands. I like this clever adaptation because the magic is strengthened by the interaction.

On the other hand, I know from experience that having spectators hold coins means that I have to deal with getting them back afterwards-spectators often like to clown around and place the money into their pockets. As a result, while I like Burke’s “Three-Fly,” there’s the negative side of dealing with spectators. However, with the right audience, this one is great.

“Baring The Load” is the strongest of the card effects and it’s a winner. In structure, it’s similar to David Williamson’s “51 Cards to Pocket,” except that the cards end-up under a card box that’s sitting on the table. A card is selected and found under a card box that’s on the table.

In the second phase, the magician says that he’ll repeat the trick, however, this time, the selected card is found in his pocket and the entire deck is under the card box. This is a strong, visual trick that I’m just starting to use.