talkmagic.co.uk

Had a quick search for a review, but couldn't find any, sorry if it's already been done...

The Effect: plenty of material for a TT.

Cost: $56.05 from Penguin (about £40)

Review: Amazing. Made me completely rethink the TT.
As an example:

-------
"On Volume One you'll learn:

The History of the TT

* Who invented it?
* In what year?
* What effect was first performed with it?

Techniques

* The Tuck - Gary?s Theory on how to Vanish a Silk Hanky.
* The Push - Matches, Cigarettes, Coins, etc.
* The Pinch - Lance Burton?s ultimate variation on "Darwin?s Flick".
* The Finger Palm - When you?re not using the TT.
* The Fitting of the TT - All amateurs do it wrong.
* The Darwin Dump - Gary?s sure-fire out when someone challenges you.

Effects

* Cut and Restored Rope - Darwin?s simplified variation on the old classic.
* Swallowing Cigarette ? An idea that goes way back, great for parties.
* Darwin?s Multiplying Hankies ? An accidental invention.
* Salt Trick ? The updated version with a special thanks to Lance and Siegfried. This routine is worth the price of the whole DVD. Great Finale for your act!
* Silk to Tube - Darwin's variation on an old P&L collectable.
* Dai Vernon?s Kicker ? Vernon?s clever one-finger ?move-less? tuck.
* Spoon Bending ? Darwin's simple improvement allows you to easily bend spoons and keys.
* Darwin?s Linking Chain ? Better than the Chinese Linking Rings, this is so good it's been sold as a stand alone effect for years.
* Chop Cup ? Darwin?s simplification that lets you do your chop routine with a regular cup!
* Cockroach Resurrection ? Not the best dinner trick! (But, a great bar trick)
* Color Changing Hanky ? Fielding West?s method, PLUS an alternate method.
* Torn and Restored Napkin ? Darwin does it professionally. Great opener!
* Cigarette to Ice Cube ? Another great one for a party!
* Paper Balls over the Head ? Darwin?s touch on the classic effect.
* Miser?s Dream ? Solari?s clever idea with a TT and a Jumbo Finale.

Bonus:

* Vanishing Quarter - With a TT it's instant gratification.
* TTs on Video
* TT Related "Fakes"

-----------

Covering the history of the TT was interesting, and the various techniques (as opposed to effects) are very well taught and useful.
His take on the salt trick is great, the sucker part gets a good laugh.

Predictably for something of this nature, a lot of the effects are very similar but with different objects (bending a coin and turning a cigarette in to an ice cube for example, though the resurrected cockroach is an unusual take on this!). Maybe three DVDs is a bit much, but I think he spends the right amount of time on the right effects.
I get the impression Darwin recognises this though, and many of the effects are shown in a few seconds. ("you could maybe do something like this).
The bonus effects (such as presenting TT related fakes like the sixth finger) are all really interesting.

It's well presented by Darwin, he's obviously a very funny man, and he handles the TT like no one I've ever seen before. I've found myself watching parts of this just for the sheer enjoyment.

Overall: I wholeheartedly recommend it. Completely changed my view of the TT, always avoided it until I came accross this, now I feel naked and unprepared going out without it.

10 out of 10 all round.

(Hope this was a decent first review)

Thank you for the informative review. I have this DVD set, and a few TT, but as an amateur I have been nervous about using it. I'm tied up for the next two weeks, but I intend to dust off the DVDs, oil up the TT, have a glass of Australian Chardonnay and try again.

Thank you

I reviewed this several years ago but it's alwasy good to have a fresh view.

TerryC wrote:

but as an amateur I have been nervous about using it

I an understand being nervous as your initial thought is often that the spec can't fail to spot a TT but the opposite is true if used properly.

Watch your DVD's again and then give it a try. You should soon realise that you can perform some great effects without the spec noticing the TT.

I am an amateur and believe it or not I have been banned for stating my views on the good old TT, but trust it, they will not notice.
I am an evangelist for the hyper realistic TT’s as they give you (as an amateur) so much confidence, though I realise they need not be so life like to fool anyone. But it gives me the confidence to run with it.

Just for the record, the previous review is at http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic4534.php

An important consideration I find for being as discreet as possible in concealment of TT's is to find a type and brand that matches your skin tone closely. I've had ones that are more "tanned" than me and others that were orangey (cheapos back in the day).

Remember your skin tone does change in summer too so if you are a sun worshipper bear that in mind as you'll need a slightly darker toned one.

Nice review. This was one of my first dvd's. I really like it; it is very complete and well taught. I use the TT almost daily ever since.

Penguin sometimes even throws this DVD in as a bonus if you spend over
$ 150