The DVD offers helpful tips on a variety of topics. Candle Tips serves advice on working with Fantasio candles. After watching this segment, you should have fewer problems with lighter fluid drying out. And the segment explains Ellis’ method for producing a lit candle.
I liked the segment on approaching crowds in strolling situations. Here, Ellis and Webster also tip some of the valuable promotional methods that they use. There’s also solid advice on getting rid of a thumbtip when spectators are burning your hands or are in the know and looking for it.
A gift, Webster explains her black art illusion that allows a person to vanish or mysteriously produce objects. This is a practical illusion that shouldn’t be too expensive to build and it offers an excellent disappearance.
The DVD features Ellis and Webster’s hilarious 6 Card Rap Music Video. Here, Ellis recites an infectious rap while performing a classic 6 Card Repeat with jumbo cards. It’s fresh, brilliant material. There’s also a segment that discusses magic sports -impromptu activities based on theater games where magicians are asked to improvise with given objects and more. It’s zany fun.
Strong Effects, No Knuckle Busters
Ellis and Webster offer straight-forward, mostly gimmick-based methods to perform their miracles. No knuckle busters here. But the effects are strong ones and Ellis and Webster have the performance footage to prove it.
Throughout, Ellis and Webster do an excellent job of explaining their routines and philosophy in a light, entertaining manner and they dispense lots of insight and psychological implications. The video incorporates multiple camera shots and good editing. Audio is a bit uneven, although that’s to be expected when one is taping in a variety of performance venues. The audio in the explanation segments is excellent.
Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster are creative, engaging entertainers who seemingly do it all. Their enthusiasm and fresh approach to developing and performing magic is infectious. They’re not only great on this DVD, they’re great for magic.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
