There are numerous tricks where the magician accomplishes something that spectators can’t, no matter how hard they try-linking rings and more immediately come to mind. On the other hand, Dick Barry’s Wizard Ball takes the opposite approach. A small golden ball rattles when it’s shaken by a spectator. But when the magician shakes it, the ball remains silent. The effect is easy to learn and perform and works great, and the method is virtually undetectable.
The Wizard Ball is approximately the size of a golf ball, gold in color and has tiny dimples. And it comes in its own velour, drawstring bag. Overall, it’s an attractive prop. While spectators may guess at the secret, it will be almost impossible for them to catch you. After hundreds of demonstrations, Dick Barry says that not a single magician has caught the secret.
The directions offer good instructions and clear color pictures. This trick is easy to learn and perform and most will be able to perform the basic trick within ten minutes.
To perform the trick there’s a bit of preparation that takes only a few seconds. And after performing Wizard Ball, you will need a couple of seconds before moving on to your next close-up effect. But the dirty work can be accomplished as you’re putting away the Wizard Ball or pulling out other props.
Barry’s instructions offer a fun routine that says whoever can rattle the ball has magical powers. Of course, the magician can’t rattle the ball but a chosen kid can. I played with this routine and found that it garnered a good response. On the other hand, and with almost any presentation, the Wizard Ball quickly becomes a puzzle to spectators who closely examine the prop looking for its secret.
The Wizard Ball works flawlessly and it offers a different effect. In most do as I do tricks, the magician accomplishes something that a spectator can’t. This is true of linking rings and countless other effects. But with the Wizard Ball, all spectators can rattle the ball except the magician. And you can’t allow one spectator to rattle the ball while others can’t.
Well made, attractive, easy to learn and perform and a puzzle that spectators probably won’t figure out, Wizard Ball delivers. Just remember that it’s you, the magician, who can’t rattle the ball and make the noise.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
http://www.dickbarrymagic.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?keywords=NM1044&exact_match=on
$19.95
