Magic Tricks

Most of the material in this lecture not make it into my act because of the venues where I perform. Having said that, this was probably the most entertaining lecture I have seen from the Penguin LIVE offerings. When it comes to learning mentalism, Richard Osterlind's second lecture is my favorite. When it comes to cards, I loved Howard Hamburg's lecture. But Kevin James was a different experience for me.

During this lecture, I just sat back and enjoyed the magic and the creativity exhibited by Kevin. His thinking is incredible and, though cliche, it is out of the box. Right out of the gate, you could tell this lecture was going to be different. It was just one thing after another. I felt I got my money's worth in the first half-hour.

This lecture is jam packed with magic and useful ideas for the restaurant magician, the stand-up performer, the stage and the illusionist.

One of the things I will be able to use is an effect where five knots appear on a rope. About five years ago, I paid nearly $30 for an effect where a knot magically appeared on a piece of rope. With the effect Kevin teaches, you will be able to make five knots appear for much less.

Perhaps what I appreciated the most is seeing how he structured routines, especially the Perrier with a Twist. Any one phase of the routine would have been good performed by itself. However, it just keeps escalating and escalating to a wonderful climax.

Topit workers will be intrigued by his take on a similar principle, but totally different. Stage performers who do confabulation routines will love his method. Interesting in doing a costume change, he teaches the basics. Want to play some gags while at a restaurant, they are in this lecture.

He showed his work in the Floating Rose and gave some tips on how to heighten the performance, something it took him 20 years to learn. For someone who has dabbled with IT, it was nice hearing some of the conditions which make it better.

His Card in Balloon will leave you speechless, even when he explains how it is done. The first time he does it with a black, opaque balloon, and it looks nice. Then he teaches you how he did it with a clear balloon, and it is a true magical moment.

If you want to broaden your understanding of magic in close-up, parlor, stage and television settings, then you will want to add this to your collection.