Two points on this review. Both of them answering the question : should you buy this set of bottles?
But first of all a foreword :
I started doing magic and bought this set, thinking I
would probably do it once or twice a year! I actually do it more than 150 times a year now for the
past two years! I do it for childrens 5 & up (in schools and libraries), family groups (in hotels),
adult groups (stand-up settings).
Fit your style to your audience and you have there an
all-around stand-up routine for all ages...
Being a certain investment over several paid
shows, (or non paid if you are actually that enthusiastic about performing it!) I think that the
multiplying bottles are simply an awesome effect...
1) The prop quality (3 stars on 5)
The bottles themselves are not that great. I have used them about 300 times in shows, not
counting the practice times. The paint on the tubes has chipped a bit over time. The bottles are in
pretty good shape. At first I thought of changing the labels to something else, like alcool labels
but then I thought: no. I want to do this for children too!
There are mighty good sets on the
market but they are generally 200$ and up... The best sets being near 500$.
With a 10%
rebate I got on the purchase here at penguin, I think that this effect among others (like Fibre
Optics...) has made my reputation.
Other sets include 10 bottles or more or bottles of
different colors... You might want to look into the Tora Magic bottles (but I don't personally like
the tubes).
2) The effect itself (5 stars on 5)
The effect of multiplying bottles in
itself is amazing. I think this will always be a classic of magic. Also, it is loads of fun. Think
beyond the trick and even though it's on a table, connect with your audience, adapt to your crowd.
This is one of those things that requires you to think of prop management. It does take up
space in your suitcases. You will need to think of how you clear out the space they take up once
they all appear, so you can have a clean surface in your show after the effect. (which is a good
idea here).
Even thought many magicians have meddled, done this effect, or put it aside
after some time, I have yet to reach the point of saturation on my part or my audience. I rarely do
it for a second show for a same group, preferring to show something ELSE! But it is ALWAYS in my
show if the people have not seen it. I KNOW I can always count on the "Glass and Bottle" trick to
have loads of fun and amazement.
Tips :
Before or after you buy : Take your time to
look at many different performing styles that exist for the bottles, inspire yourself with all this.
(You tube)
You might be more into a MAD presentation like Tommy Cooper
or you actually could
be inclined to a distinguished presentation like Lance Burton's... or again, you might want to have
a comedy approach like Mr Denny. Or to mix the best of it all.
If you perform for children,
include things you might find interesting which apply to the principles present to good children's
magic.
Another tip: You might like to put in some colored liquid in the glass, that would
make the effect a little more visible to the people at the back of the room! Depends on your
logistics, since you will have to pour the liquid back in a container, and that is more prop
management.
Extra tip :
The first time I did this I was like a horse race anouncer,
and have always done this in my presentational style, which suits me. But over the time, I've come
up with BUILDING the rhythm, going faster and faster... and that has actually helped a lot in the
long run.
7 of 7 magicians found this helpful.
for what you're getting, it's good. In my opinion, buy two sets, take out the smallest bottle from
three of the stacks, and have them powder coated. They'll last a lifetime. For what you're getting
they are worth the money.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
While they are on the "cheaper" end of the spectrum, these still get great reactions. A little tip,
clean off the labels and either make your own or buy some from a hobby shop. You can also have them
powder coated (painted) for around 100 bucks, and then have them in different colors or just a
better way to keep the paint from chipping. There are better version out there, but this set works
better than you might think.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I saw this trick performed by Lance Burton and I thought it was absolutely fantastic!!!, when I got
the trick first I thought that the bottles crashing against the tubes was not very magical so I
customized the bottles by puting inside the tubes black velvety paper and it is amazing!! I
achieved to get the illusion more silenced, and I also put the paper inside the smallest bottles to
conceal the noise of the glasses under the bottles.
Do not hesitate to buy this trick!!!
Great illusion, at an excellent price with great quality!!
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
This is one of the cheapest versions of the Multiplying Bottles tricks that you will find and it's
still amazing! My friends were blown away. You'll have to be a little more aware of where you are
performing and where the audience is sitting otherwise they might catch the gimmick (the open top
and bottom, the varying sizes of the bottles.) There are endless variations of this trick online so
if the too-brief instructions aren't enough just head to YouTube and have fun.
These are cost effective alternative to the high quality sets that are available. This set is great
for anyone that's looking to start a simple routine for a small investment. The handling will take a
little bit of practice.
Up close, these don't look very professional, but on stage, they work just as well as the expensive
versions. One missing thing on this set is that the smaller bottles cannot hold any liquid, the
Martini sets usually can. still, this is a great value.
this trick was one of the first ones i ever did. I saw it at my first magic show and had to know how
it was done. The trick is amazing and the quality is great. Don't wait order it while you still can