Magic Tricks

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.