Magic Tricks

Overview:

What could be simpler? They pick a card and then you visually cause the pips to start streaking or melting away until they are all piled in the corner of the card.

I've been waiting for this trick for a while and I must say, it was definitely worth the wait. When I opened the initial package and it wasn't there I was deflated. Then I saw the note: "It's coming, oh yes, you will have it soon!" (I may have just made that more creative but, as a side note, Penguins reliability with back-orders and pre-orders is really great - they are generous with their shipping to being with and they will always go the extra mile for their customers - well done!)

What you get:

Pip Streak DVD by Gregory Wilson, produced by Penguin Magic, and the props needed to do this trick.

Note: you will need your own bicycle deck as well and, at least in my case, the cards you receive are red backed. It's a bit frustrating that the cards are red back - I'm not against red decks, it's just that I normally perform with blue decks and so it makes it hard to transition to other tricks without a deck switch being noticeable (duh). I have a Fade Out deck made up with red backs which I've found useful - I perform Pip-Streak, switch out for the red backed Fade Out, perform Fade and make the cards go blank and then exclaim, "Oh well! You've ruined my deck - I need a new one!"

Details:

From the get go I have to say that Gregory Wilson is a great teacher. Of all the people I have learned magic from, I would have to say Gregory Wilson and Oz Pearlman are definitely the best. Gregory Wilson has a naturalness to him that makes him easy to listen to and learn from (see my review of Gazzo's Tossed Out Deck for the opposite type of teaching). His pace is good and I don't find myself drifting off into space because he is over-explaining something simple. The two handlings included on the DVD are great and his honesty, the real world experience and the insight that he provides are all invaluable to the keen student. I have had this DVD only for a few days and I have watched it through twice already.

The bonus colour changes are a great addition for those who don't have a colour change DVD/book in their library (Hot Shot Color Changes or Color Changes by Noblezada are good choices). I have been furiously practicing the Mayhew Flippant since I saw it and, I have to say, this is one of the most frustratingly "knack-ish" moves I have ever come across. The flippant move is a knack. The mayhew flippant move is like waiting for all the planets to align - it may not happen in your life-time.

The highlight of this whole experience was the Via Negativa with Alvo Stockman. Alvo is a humble student and the concept of learning through someone elses learning (and a lot of mistakes) is brilliant. It was perfectly placed in the DVD as well. I had just watched and played with the handlings and Via Negativa came along at the right time to correct my errors but also to reinforce the routine itself. I can only hope that Penguin uses this in all it's upcoming titles.

Conclusion:

A solid routine that will either be done well and have audiences floored OR it will be done by people who don't take time to make certain moves look natural. If you buy this, please don't ruin it for everyone else by being hasty in your performing of it. The secret is simple but that doesn't mean that you should run out and accidently reveal how simple it is.

A worthy addition to your repertoire!

(A thought: It would be good for Penguin to sell Pip-Streak refills!)

Cheers!