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Finally got round to watching this at the weekend...

I have to say, I was a little disappointed at the content really. But I can see how it would benefit people who'd not really thought that hard about the stripper deck.

I was also disappointed at the lack of Tomo in the DVD. Putting him in the background as the effects were being demo'd and explained, to me, was villanous. The DVDs title suggests that this is Tomo's work—but the shooting style and the likes suggest that Tomo is somehow just a background figure in this, whereas—the whole thing IS Tomo. Just a personal thing to me I guess, but I think Tomo deserved more credit than was apparent in all this.

I personally didn't take anything new from the production at all, it was kind of a refresher course, really. But I can see how the ideas and 'explaining the obvious' will really benefit people who think the stripper is nothing more than a way of locating a card which has been lost in the deck. (Mephisto style!)

Aside from my negatives (which are more aimed towards BBMs involvment, not Tomos) I think this is a cracking gem for anyone who is new to stripper deck magic.

The principles discussed and taught are 'outside the box' and are great. Food for thought and combining with other effects.

Also, nicely demonstated is how a gaff deck can make other effects easier/more credible by eliminating chance, sleights, and even adding other new qualities.

I wouldn't hesitate to give the DVD a 9 out of 10—it's invaluable to anyone who isn't familiar with advanced stripper use.

ya... i was thinking the same why is he sitting at the back with the two glowy heads when its marketed as his dvd......

Well, the idea was that I do the serious, teaching stuff and Dave F shows what's possible with a bit of thought.

Tomo wrote:Well, the idea was that I do the serious, teaching stuff and Dave F shows what's possible with a bit of thought.

I know mate, but it just seems to take the spotlight off you a bit.

The DVD wouldn't have been possible without you, but similarly, it wouldn't have been possible without Dave, Owen and Mephisto either.

I watched some bits again yesterday, and I have to say that I'm impressed with how much there is packed into it.

Oh, and by the way, Mrs Seige says can she have your autograph. And while you're at it, she wants Mephisto's too... she says she reminds her of a bloke she met at Benidorm years ago doing the 3 shell game for timeshares.

Actually, and for the very first time ever, I have to disagree with Seige here

I thought it was quite powerfully-emphasised that Jon was the 'Deep Thought', behind what was actually presented; the 'Jon explaination', followed up by the Dave & Owen bits only served to emphasise who the driver behind the presented material really was.

....But perhaps that's just me?

seige wrote:I know mate, but it just seems to take the spotlight off you a bit.

The DVD wouldn't have been possible without you, but similarly, it wouldn't have been possible without Dave, Owen and Mephisto either.

I watched some bits again yesterday, and I have to say that I'm impressed with how much there is packed into it.

Oh, and by the way, Mrs Seige says can she have your autograph. And while you're at it, she wants Mephisto's too... she says she reminds her of a bloke she met at Benidorm years ago doing the 3 shell game for timeshares.

Course she can! Dunno about Mr Mephesto though. Summer season won't play itself, you know, and with a subtle talent like that, he's in great demand.

I thought it had quite a nice "Old Grey Whistle Test" feel to it myself: the studious chat on the sofa followed by performance, type of thing. Anyway, point taken. If there's another one (and this one seems to be doing okay, so hopefully there will be) maybe we'll do things differently.

i quite enjoyed seeing Tomo sitting on the sofa in the background...

yeah, get owen to practise his whispering bob harris voice...

and they should do a mephisto-mentalism dvd...genius...

"aye up lad, yer thinkin' of 7 I'm right arent i..course i am...im a ruddy legend i am...worked wit all t'greats..."

abraxus wrote:and they should do a mephisto-mentalism dvd...genius...

"aye up lad, yer thinkin' of 7 I'm right arent I..course I am...im a ruddy legend I am...worked wit all t'greats..."

Ha ha!

"You're going to think of a fruit for me, and your Uncle Barry's going to read your mind and write it down. Right, what is it? A what? Are you sure it's not a tangerine you wanted to think of? I think you'll find it was. Uncle Barry sees all!"

abraxus wrote:I quite enjoyed seeing Tomo sitting on the sofa in the background...

Indeed. I thought he looked relaxed, commanding and chilled.

But, I stand by my first impression, that for the most part, he looked like scenery, rather than the genius behind the premise of the Stripper bible.

It would have been nice for Tomo to have been actively involved in the effects... perhaps Tomo and Dave, rather than Dave and Owen.

Like I said, this in no way detracts from my sizzling 'over-excellent' review and recommendation of this DVD... it does'nt at all. It's just an observation.

And yeah, Mephisto should have his own DVD. I think mentalism isn't a bad idea, but I think an old-skool cups'n'balls demo would be grand...

"Hey up, love, come over yonder and take a lewk at me borls... now now, I said a lewk, not cop 'old."

Perhaps another section with a "how to use a magic wand"...?

mephisto does TTs...

"ey up luv, fancy a feel of me tip?...gggerrrroff!....oh go on then..."

The Jack Douglas of magic...

"Street Magic with Barry Mephisto: Magic Man"

"No, luv, I've already told yer. There's no strings. Yer Uncle Barry's proper flyin'..."

"yer seen that Blaine fella...he's a reeeet t**t.....have a look at this though, what you're thinkin of is in me pants luv....and if it isnt...it should be..."

i better stop now, this could go on forever...

abraxus wrote:The Jack Douglas of magic...

I saw Barry as more a cross between Jim Bowen, Chubby Brown, and Tommy Cooper.

Bowen's mannerisms, Chubby's dress sense, and Cooper's humour.

Fantastic.

Oddly though, he reminded me of that fella who comes up with crazy names for tricks, can't think of his name...

Anyhow, my final word on the matter has just had me in tucks... and it's "Barry Mephisto's "cause yer no 'arm" Needle Thru Arm":

"As this super sharp regular normal no gimmick no messin' pointed as you like needle goes into my skin, I sometimes feel a bit of a prick... "

Righty-ho then kiddo's! It's only bleedin' Barry Mephisto, in't it! First time you've had a proper celeb round here no doubt!

This lad Tomo hasn't got a bleedin' clue 'bout magic! I've been in the business meself 20 years, man n'boy, and there's nowt that Barry dun't know I can tell ye'!

Stripper Deck? Never heard of it lads, never heard of it! It's all sleight o' hand an' misdirection - honed over twenty years on the pier!

This lad Tomo don't know 'is *rse from 'is elbow. Me an' Mavis 'av been doin the circuit for as long as I can remember and I've never seen hide nor tail of 'im!

Honestly, kid's these days!

If ye want proper gold - PROPER gold mind, just you watch Barry work a bit of magic on this here 'STRIP' digital video whatsit! That's the way it's done lads!

I'm off now for a pie and a pint! Big shout out to all me fans in Brighton, Blackpool and Skeggy!

Remember lads - ye ca't beat a bit o' Barry!

Cheerie-bye!

Barry! Is that really you?

Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the presence of genius...