talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

Various effects – read here for the full list
http://www.rsvpmagic.com/

Cost

£16.99 per volume at:
http://www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk/new/justin.htm

I think that I read in another thread that for a limited time, if you order from Mike he will ask Mel to sign the DVD, although this may add a few days to the delivery.

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

Most of the routines included on the DVD are no more than a skill level of 2 – the REAL magic of these routines is in the presentation.

Review

Before I progress with the review, a word for RSVP - GET RID OF THE BLOODY CLOWN! It’s the most annoying and irritating introduction EVER and to boot, it’s used to introduce every routine. After a while it makes you feel like throwing the DVD away, it’s that irritating.

Anyway – rant over!

As with other RSVP titles, this is a quality DVD that is well packaged with quality sleeve printing and a very crisp image and soundtrack on the DVD itself. The format of the DVD is such that you are shown the routine, performed in front of a live audience, and then Mel takes you through the teaching of the routine that you’ve just watched. If you’re in charge of the remote control then you can skip the teachings and watch just the show which will have you and your friends reeling about in fits of laughter.

I was at one of the shows that features on the DVD and there was about a 50/50 mix of magicians and lay people in the audience. Speaking to the magicians during the break I know that they were ALL entertained as much as I had been. Unlike me, many had seen Mel in action before and had come back for more as had many of the lay people in the audience. It was one of the most entertaining shows that I have been to and by far the funniest, so this DVD set was already on my list of intended purchases by the time the show was over.

On watching these DVD’s I was somewhat reminded of the Martin Sanderson DVD titles. Although Mel and Martin have totally different presentation styles, the similarity is that the routines are not overly complex or difficult to learn, but they most definitely are highly commercial and have been field tested on real audiences over time. Make no mistake, with the right presentation these routines are real crowd pleasers that are suitable for stage, as well as a number that are also suitable for table magic.

My own view is that the routines featured on the DVD set are best performed as part of a comedy magic act and Mel is a master at this. However, you do need to consider that Mel has years of experience with audiences and is one of those people that could literally get away with murder on stage. Think carefully before YOU go out and try this style of humour on an audience, particularly if you’re a younger magician as you may end up being clouted! That apart, you should still have some great fun with the routines and some of the gags.

As for the teachings, Mel is a great teacher and explains in detail how each routine has been structured around matching the trick and the presentation and importantly, how both are then presenting to the audience to make the whole routine more engaging. Mel refers to this as ‘pegging’. Because the routines are fairly simple, indeed some are self workers, I feel that you get a better insight into the structure and performance of the routines than you get on many other magic DVD’s which is perhaps more appealing to some. The idea perhaps is to pick a few routines that suit you and then adapt them for your own style, rather than to directly copy Mel’s presentation in parrot fashion, or to view the performances and get ideas for some tricks that you may already own. You could of course do both.

All of the routines are great but the stand-out routines for me are; 5 Minutes and one balloon, phobia (from volume one), seeing with the fingertips (a marvellously cunning blindfold routine) and the hilarious thinking on your feet. There’s also a very original presentation for using the ID called meet me in your dreams (all from volume two).

Overall

Wayne Dobson’s sleeve note reads: “one of the finest DVD sets for the comedy magician that I’ve seen. This set is jam packed with material that you will use”.

With this set you get a lot of magic, variety, comedy and ideas for your money as well as also being separately entertained by the live performances. Mel provides a great lesson in how to interact and entertain an audience without over complicating things, and at the same time he demonstrates that cards and coins don’t have to be the backbone of your magic show. In fact, the volume one DVD doesn’t contain a single card trick which for a magic DVD these days is rarity (and a welcome change).

If you’re looking to put together an entertaining magic show and need inspiration and ideas then there are few DVD’s that provide as good an example as this set does. Great value and highly recommended.

10/10 (but only if we forget about the clown!)

Some of these effects were in his lecture that I see and I will say the 1000 business cards trick is absolutely amazing. It was all good magic but with simple methods. The thing I think most people would get from Mel is his comedy and presentation which are absolutely honed to perfection in my opinion. He is a terrific performer and gives great laughs.

Hi! this is Mike again from Mike Danata's Magic Studio in Bournemouth.

I really cannot praise this Dvd set highly enough!

Our first batch sold out very quickly & our second batch arrived this morning!

We are getting nothing but praise for these Dvd's!

Even before the reviews (now coming in from all over the world!) I was more than happy to offer a MONEY BACK guarantee on them! So certain was I, that these Dvds will prove to be amongst one of the best buys THIS YEAR, for value & content. MANY TOP PRO'S have purchased these DVDs!

If you are into ENTERTAINMENT then these dvds are definitely for you! Mel has a way of "Twisting" an otherwise boring "Seen it before" trick into a solid piece of pure entertainment. Some of the items you need, you may already have in your drawer, if not, then most items are readily available from your favourite magic dealer! (In fact we have already sold out of the Magic Stamp Album! (more on the way!!).

Mel also has some great original tricks as well.

I hope that there will be a third, a fourth & ad infinitum volumes, because I know that Mel has more than enough other material, up his rather spacious sleeves!! & works on new material ALL OF THE TIME!

Best Magical Wishes

Mike

www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk

I have seen the live show dvd and Mel Mellers is hilarious and good magician. You can adapt the routines to your show and personality. An excellent buy ( I got mine from Mike Danatas magic Studio. www.mikedanatamagicstudio.co.uk). I am looking forward to seeing the other two dvds " Tickling the Mind 1 and 2.

In case there is any confusion, "Mel Mellers Live" is a separate DVD that we currently have "Exclusive" on. It's a 1 hour show that Mell did in a top Club in the U.K. It was filmed with a five crew camera team, & when you see it, it looks like a T.V. show!!

It is hilariously funny, & you can learn so much about comedy & timing etc, just by watching it.

Mel is HILARIOUS! It's the sort of disc you can put on for family & friends because there are no exposures, just a full on show in front of a proper "Lay Audience", all wetting themselves with laughter!!!!

Mike Danata
www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk

I have now seen " Tickling the Mind" dvd 1 and 2 both excellent and a must buy.

I used to work with Mel at a holiday park in the late 80s when I was 17 & 18 and he was wonderfully funny then! I can only imagine that he's got better and better over the years - I'm really looking forward to watching these DVDs - thanks for a great review.

Lee