Magic Tricks

Michael Eaton covers a number of familiar themes with props common to the strolling or table-hopping magician, in this 3 hrs, 12 mins lecture. Moderated by Nathan Kranzo.

Eaton covers the following:

1. Orlando Opener – An elegant 3 coin production-vanish-production routine that can be done standing, or, for more surprises, with a table. Intermediate to advanced coin-work-3 coins and shell. Very magical-looking sequence. Eaton plays this pretty straight-no comedy show, here-the coins blinking in and out of sight, a la 3-fly, is the main focus.

2. Coins from Purse--Very straightforward production of 3 coins from purse-frame. What makes this unique is production of 3rd coin, which utilizes well-known technique, but in context of purse-frame.

3. Shot-Purse—Very clean vanish and production of a single coin in and from a purse-frame.

4. Ricochet Vanish—Technique for vanishing single coin while seated at table. Coin is legitimately tossed down to table-top, spectators see and hear it land; coin instantly vanishes.

5. Orlando Magic Sponge Ball Routine—Standard yet entertaining S.B. routine with basketball theme.

6. Using Flash Paper During Vanishes/Reproductions—Discussion on bringing “flash” to tricks such as “Ring-Thing” and flash-vanishing a Sharpie after use.

7. Crazy Man’s Handcuffs—Offers a technique for instantly executing “the move” at spectator’s command. Gives a quick demo of standard handling, as well.

8. Broken and Restored Rubber-band Transpo—Integration of “Snapped” (H. Lorayne) into transposition of 2 rubber-bands. Spectator chooses rubber-band, holds in closed fist. Performer breaks remaining rubber-band. Performer then restores rubber-band, spectator opens hand to find broken band.

9. Card on Ceiling—Eaton’s method is similar to Ammar’s, but offers very clever alternative to commonly used Sucret’s box. Eaton’s holdout is limited to 1 gimmick, but saves on pocket-space and allows for simplified handling (no palming of gimmick). Love this idea.

10. Coin and Sharpie Routine—Multi-phase single coin and Sharpie routine a la Rick Merrill. A coin and Sharpie alternately vanish and reappear in surprising and visually stunning ways.

11. Card Routine for Couples—A multi-effect routine encompassing Ambitious Card, Card to Pocket and Anniversary Waltz. Nothing new here, just the collapsing of the 3 well-known plots into a single routine. No explanation given (looks like it just got lost in the shuffle) but as there’s no new moves here, it will be self-explanatory for many intermediate card-workers.

12. The Gathering—A Collector’s routine where 4 cards are selected, the first 3 change into the same value as the 4th, then the original 3 selections are found sandwiched between the 4 transformed selections. For the finale, the 3 selections vanish from the packet.

13. 2-Card Transpo—Visual “quickie.” Eaton displays a card, puts it in his pocket, then shows a second card, which instantly transforms into first selection. Finally, the second card is withdrawn from pocket.

14. Drop ‘N—Coin through glass table trick. This is amazingly magical-looking. While seated at glass table, coin is displayed at fingertips. Other hand is held underneath table to catch coin. Coin is thrown down to table-top; audience sees and hears as coin hits and penetrates table. Coin is caught in waiting hand and can be immediately handed out for inspection. You can see this demoed, as it is also sold as a separate DVD. Angley but beautiful, would look great on television or in a promo video.

15. Coins thru Table—3 coins thru opaque table-top routine. Very clean looking. Final coin has some angle issues—best for a single spectator sitting across—but looks very magical.

16. Coin Split—a single coin spun on table-top is suddenly snapped into two coins. Sharp and pretty.

17. Pretty Fly—Very beautiful 3-Fly routine (at the fingertips, 3 coin transposition), using techniques and technology previously explained in earlier routines.

Overall this was a very entertaining 3 hour lecture, with great value for the money. Eaton’s magic is full of strong, commercial routines. His coin magic perhaps stands out the most, and is very beautiful, very magical. Intermediate to advanced. Eaton makes prodigious use of the shell, clipping and sleeving, to great effect. He shares ideas from lecture notes on vanishing a stack of coins, appearing ketchup bottle, a sponge ball steal and stealing personal items in plain view for later production. Nathan Kranzo is charming as host—easy-going and funny. He prompts with questions and informed comments—very good in this role.