by Carl Buck » Mar 9th, '07, 10:53
I've been playing with this effect for a month or so now, and thought I'd post a quck review. Apologies if it's already been done, although I couldn't see it when doing a search..
The Effect
A spectator is given a sealed envelope for safe keeping. A book is then introduced, and whilst the performers head is turned a page is selected. The performer asks that both the page number and the biggest word from the first few lines are remembered before the book is closed. The performer then reads the spectators mind by telling them both the page number and the word remembered. After the initial shock the spectator is told to remove the envelope given to them earlier. Upon doing this a torn out page from the book is taken out of the envelope – the same page that they looked at earlier. The book is then handed to them, where they find that the page they looked at was never in the book after all, and that the torn page fits into the book perfectly.
Price:
£39.99
Difficulty Level:
1 - Basic Sleights / Self Working
Review:
This is a great effect, and the cleanest of it's kind in that the book/ripped out page can be handled by the spectators during the presentation. I've had this trick for a month now, and while the execution of the effect is relatively simple to do, taking no more than a couple of hours to master the handling competently, I'm still struggling for a decent patter to go with it ( the one provided is not up to much IMHO ) - Any tips or advice here would be appreciated. I need to find a decent story to go with the page beind selected, then not being there, and then appearing in the envelope the spec is holding. I've tried the 'what if I made you see something that wasn't really there' route, which worked well, but I feel it needs something with a little more 'oomph'
Also the book can't bear too much scutiny afterwards, and even though I've only owned the trick for a month it's already starting to look a bit jaded, with certain creaslines appering where you don't want them too. (I'm now storing this book under 2 heavy catalogues when not being used.) and smudging appearing on the chosen page.
The results this effect gets is very good, although in my opinion not in relation to the £39.99 that the trick costs.
Overall:
7/10. A great effect, let down by the price and the above mentioned shelf life issues.