Expert assessments of new tricks, books, gear, and performances.
Tony Clark has long been a torchbearer for the Slydini legacy. He distills much of Slydini’s philosophy by introducing the fundamental concepts of tension, release, misdirection, and lapping— core Slydini principles—in the first routine
The popular Misled trick by Timothy Wenk, where a pencil penetrates through the center of a borrowed bill, has been reintroduced using a common black plastic pen instead of a pencil
Magicians are worried that these classic props may be lost to the ages, so current dealers are stepping up to the plate to establish their own sponge ball empires
The apparatus is perfect. The handling is simple and amazing, and would have earned a “Zounds! A pox upon thee!” from Reginald Scot himself.
This book feels like sitting down for a fascinating, dreamy, and occasionally infuriating afternoon chat with one of magic’s preeminent mystics
The accomplished British performer and the regular host of the Vanishing Inc. Masterclasses, Mark James, is now thrust into the spotlight
Comedy, Character & Control is a collection of short essays covering everything from character building, writing comedy, and handling hecklers, to resetting a show and laying out an indepth discussion of the Bill in Lemon routine.
Translated to the page by John Lovick, the four essays are interesting, but cover familiar material for long-time fans
Rizki Nanda has created a nearly perfect packet trick. It’s fast, but still efficient enough to set up a few surprises
When I received The Balloon Busker’s Ultimate Guide to Making Money, I thought, “I’m not a busker. I’ve never made a single balloon animal!” I’m delighted to report that Jay Collen’s book, just 55 pages, is a modern handbook packed with wisdom
Our New Orleans magician carefully considers Spider Pen X and Shadow
Kyle Purnell’s brain works differently from a normal human’s. I’m regularly astonished by his ability to fold, distort, and reorient props in magical ways