More Than Slightly Superhuman
British heavyweight mentalist Derren Brown is back on another sold-out U.K. tour with his latest show, Only Human. This review is of a performance in Bromley in April 2025.
Reviews
Expert assessments of new tricks, books, gear, and performances.
Book Review
Saving Magic: David Price & The Making of Egyptian Hall
This “expert” biography assumes that the pillars of 20th-century stage magic are known to you: Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Dante. But it tells the story of 20th-century magic from the less famous side—the Great Depression, World War II, live performance giving way to film and television.
Book Review
Saving Magic: David Price & The Making of Egyptian Hall
This “expert” biography assumes that the pillars of 20th-century stage magic are known to you: Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Dante. But it tells the story of 20th-century magic from the less famous side—the Great Depression, World War II, live performance giving way to film and television.
Trick Review
Knotted
The idea of having a piece of rope lasso a selected card has been around for many years, but this is a really nice updated handling and gimmick from Rubén Vilagrand.
Trick Review
Unplugged XLR
Rubén Vilagrand’s Unplugged XLR is an excellent take on the Walking Knot premise explored by Pavel and Paul Curry, but using an XLR cord.
Book Review
The Magic of Hope
The Magic of Hope is a humble, paperback collection of story- infused tricks, routines, and thoughts that mean to bring hope and inspiration to their viewers and performers alike.
Best In Show
Mila’s Sponge Creations
How real is real? Well, if you need something sculpted—from sushi to cute baby bunnies—Mila can make it.
Video Review
Piff the Magic Dragon Regularclass
“How many ‘masters’ do you actually know in the world?” Piff opens his “regularclass” by jumping down from the pedestal and modestly rebranding his sessions, recorded at his residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
Video Review
Gabriel Werlen Live
This will be brief because most of you have probably already heard the same buzz that I did. Gabriel Werlen’s mentalism and his Green Neck System have created such a stir in the community that I knew I had to see this lecture.
Video Review
Aaron Fisher Masterclass
This installment of Vanishing Inc.’s Masterclass series might be described as the beginner’s guide to advanced sleight of hand. To say this instruction is detailed would be an understatement.
Book Review
Absolute Madness
Craig Petty knows how to structure and teach hard-hitting, flashy magic for the every-audience. Absolute Madness is a fast and easy read with an accompanying performance-only video of the described effects.
Book Review
The Hummingbirds
With some lovely choice words, a pack of cards, a magic wand, a wine glass, and a glass bell jar, Luke Jermay has brought to life a piece of art in The Hummingbirds.
Book Review
Forged by Fire
Though many effects require assembling props, Borer’s instructions are clear, the materials are affordable, and the DIY process is straightforward. He favors prepared decks, allowing for visually striking methods that pure sleight of hand rarely attains.