The explanation sequences are done in close-up views of the table that are informative and well done. The performance segment is harder to follow. I understand the director’s dilemma. Focus on the table to show the action with the shells and pea, and you can’t see and appreciate Bob Sheets performance and the reactions of his spectators. But focus on Sheets and the spectators, and then it’s hard to see the pea. Despite these challenges, the performance segment is quite good.
Haydn offers valuable closing remarks about the shells that was filmed at one of his live lectures. There’s also a fun, demo-only performance of the large Trade Show Shells by Chef Anton. Anton’s performance is throughly entertaining to watch, and will give those magicians who aspire to perform at trade shows some insight into the type of routine that’s needed to effectively draw a crowd and promote a product.
The DVD has some rough production edges. The music interludes play too loud compared to the voice segments, and quickly become obnoxious. Fortunately, you can turn the music off. Some video segments end and then freeze, which leaves the subject in an awkward pose. This could have been avoided by simply fading to black at the end of each segment. At times, Sheets avoids talking to the camera as if he’s lecturing to a crowd in the room, but there’s no audience response or noise. Also, camera work is sometimes jerky.
With a PC that's equipped with a DVD drive, you may view a wealth of background information that's provided on the disc in Adobe "PDF" format. The documents may be read on a computer or printed out. There's history on the shell game; bios on Randolph Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, a well known shell practitioner; a scoundrel's gallery and various essays.
There's additional explanation on Haydn's powerful "maneuvers," as well as text that augments the instruction and concepts of the video segments. Finally, there's a print version of "The Golden Shells" Routine by Whit Haydn and Chef Anton. These DVD extras are excellent and worthy additions that nicely round out the DVD.
The shell game packs small and plays well to a small crowd. And you can perform it on any table, even hardwood counters-you don’t need a close-up pad. Aside from briefly playing with a cheap set of shells in an old magic set of my youth, I had never been all that intrigued with the shell game. But after seeing Bob Sheets and Whit Haydn perform it, it’s on my list of things to learn and master.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
