Trick Review: Dlite Flight

Most magicians are familiar with D’lites. With these props, magicians can seemingly reach into the air and pluck and control a ball of light, making it appear and disappear, as well as cause objects such as ice cubes and glasses to glow.

Despite the name, D’lite Flight offers a radically different effect where a spot of light flickers in mid air-almost like a flying, buzzing, living and glowing firefly. The effect is under your control-you don’t need an assistant-and you’re free to roughly control the light’s placement, movement and speed. It’s a visual and striking effect that’s based on Keith Connelly’s “Firefly” from the 1970s.

Both of your hands appear empty and you can move freely about as you “float” the twinkling light. You can make the light come and go, travel from one object to another, fly around your body or land on your hand or shoulder.

While D’Lites may be used almost anywhere and under a variety of lighting conditions, D’lite Flight, on the other hand, may only be performed on a darkened stage or other low-light area. Under normal lighting conditions, the gimmick will be clearly seen. The instructions even recommend that depending on your lighting, you may want to wear dark clothing.

D’lite Flight relies on a quality gimmick that works well. The gimmick is fragile so you will need to take care when handling it. The prop comes with two backup gimmicks and detailed instructions on how to install the replacements as well as purchase and replace batteries. D’Lite sells replacements in red, blue, amber and green that are packaged in pairs.

The documentation only provides minimal instruction on performing the effect. I would have preferred to see some performance suggestions. As I see it, the flickering spot of light can work as a short and mysterious interlude between tricks, or can be used as an attention getter. I can see street performers using it at night to catch the eyes of spectators to draw a crowd.

The effect also has potential as a comedy interlude. I recall the reaction that Jeff Sheridan receives with his “Cold Capsule,” a close-up routine where a cold capsule pill dances and animates above his hands. In his video, “Genius At Work, Volume 3” Sheridan receives lots of gasps and laughter as he tries to get the flyaway pill under his control. D’Lite Flight has the same potential.

D’Lite Flight is a specialized effect that has the potential to liven up stage and other stand-up acts. Just be sure to consider its lighting requirements.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

$35
www.dlite.com