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RAVI MAYAR - Hit'n'Run - TWO DVD SET

Ravi is a bit of a secret wonder on the professional magic scene. You may have seen him helping out on DVDs from Lee Smith, James Brown and Anthony Jacquin but this is the first release dedicated purely to Ravi himself and his own brand of extremely visual magic. There are no card tricks on the DVD which makes a refreshing change and getting a selection of routines that use banknotes, rings, TicTacs, lighters, matches, gum and so on is sure to give you something new to use in your future performances. Ravi isn't a bedroom magician, he is always out performing and that comes across in the practical way he presents these effects. Everything on this two DVD set (over three hours of material) is usable in the real world, and you can't say that very often.

Before going into detail about the routines I want to mention that the DVD packaging looks a bit cheap, there are no pictures of Ravi on it and the descriptions on the back contain a few mistakes. If you saw this in a magic shop it's unlikely that it would grab your attention, which is a shame as there is some real gold on here. That's why I wanted to post a review to make sure you don't miss out!

There is some "arts and crafts" work needed to construct the gimmicks Ravi uses, but it's all straight-forward stuff and you probably already own what you need here (scissors, rubber cement, etc). There are also a number of sleights used throughout, some of them quite tricky in places, so don't expect lots of self-working routines. But once you master these you will have a great arsenal of top effects ready to fry people with.

It's also worth saying that Ravi is a funny guy, as anyone who has met him at the London Magic Meets will know, and his humour and personality come right out through the DVD. He is a natural performer and just can't help being entertaining, even while doing something boring like glueing things together!

It would have been nice to have seen more live performance clips as this is where Ravi's style really comes into its own, but most people who'll buy this DVD will know how to put things across because it's not really for beginners, this is more aimed at the intermediate to advanced level magician.

The first routine is RCM (Real Counterfeit Money) in which a black and white photocopy of a bank note visually changes into a real note. This looks great and is really easy to do. It's like watching a camera trick and is all down to Ravi's lateral rethinking of techniques used by others in the past. He covers the performance points, angles to watch for, spectator management and everything you need to make this work. You'll want to do this one straight away.

Credit Theft is an outrageous way to remove the ID strip from someone's credit card! Getting the gimmick is equally outrageous and Ravi can't help laughing his way through this bit of the explanation. I'm not sure how practical this routine is to be honest, and Ravi messes up a couple of times in the demo so will need a lot of practice to get it smooth. But it does include a great Joshua Jay vanish move that is really worth learning and has loads of applications.

Rring is a virtuoso 10-phase routine using a ring. Lots of moves, vanishes, palms in quick succession. You will really want to perform this, it looks amazing, but it will take some practice! Lots of the moves look like "real magic" and it's a real masterclass in how to use sleights for maximum effect. Don't expect to get this down immediately, but when you do you'll have a really powerful routine that will wow laypeople and magicians.

There are then a couple of routines using a coin that goes into a sealed box of TicTacs. More arts and crafts needed here and more banter between Ravi and Chris (the guy doing the filming). It's another example of Ravi's detailed thinking and he really covers every little point so that things are perfect - if you ever wanted to see someone gradually putting TicTacs into a box to get them "just right" then this is the DVD for you!

Corner Light is a multi phase routine that ends with the corner of a selected card sealed inside a lighter. There's lot more arts and crafts here, but it's worth the effort as you end with a completely impossible routine. Just put aside a chunk of time to craft the gimmick and, as lighters are involved, be careful.

Instant Bartender is probably the shortest and simplest routine on the DVD and something that you will be able to perform with a couple of minutes. Turn a coin into a drink, and then another drink! It's fast, funny, perfect for the bar environment and gets great reactions. I've done this one several times and people love it. Highly recommended!

Softer is an "in the hands" coin bend linked to a pseudo-hypnotic presentation. This is really easy and in fact I was surprised to find that it is just like a routine that I've been doing for a couple of years. Mine links in with a mind-reading "date on coin" element and there are lots of different ways you can present it because the core effect is so strong. If you don't already do a coin bend routine then this is a great one to go for.

Addiction is a "coin in box" routine, using a signed card and cigarette box. Fun and pretty easy to perform.

Voodoo Match is a smart original routine that would be perfect for Halloween parties. A burnt match is brought back to life, it's a great idea and easy to do. You'll say "Why didn't I think of that?" on this one!

Anniversary Coin is basically anniversary waltz done with a coin instead of a card, a nice twist and very commercial.

CAPtivate is a signed bottle cap routine. Needs some preparation and not something you're going to be performing many times in an evening, might be good for the end of the night.

Leap Coin is another masterclass in linking sleights to create a truely magical and entertaining routine that really interacts with the spectators. It's another great example of taking sleights that you may have heard of or learnt but not often used and showing you just what can be achieved with some thoughtful routining. A great way to round off the DVD.

This is a great resource for real-world workers full of usable material. If you want self-workers, slick DVD presentations or another ACR then this isn't for you - but if you want some classy material that is explained in detail, that will inspire you to stretch your abilities and make you stand out from the crowd of ten-a-penny cardworkers then this is an essential purchase!

You can buy it for £24.99 direct from Ravi's site here - http://www.mayarmagic.com/#/shop/4569418869

Can i just add to this review and say Ravi has really nailed this DVD, it really is full of workable material! Absolutely one of my most watched DVD's and i have to agree Ravi is a lovely bloke, who is out working constantly.

I personally feel the less people that buy this DVD the better it is for me, because i will have a wonderful routine that not that many people have seen!!

But do pick it up, the stuff on here is gold! and like Mike has said, there are no card routines, which is lovely and refreshing, but you will need to work at these effects a bit more than the usual £20 for one effect DVDs.

I personally will be using almost all of these effects.

Much love

Aza

I popped into Davenports on a brief trip to London last week and got recommended this. I've not had 2 minutes spare since to watch it (or practice for that matter!) due to work but I'm glad to hear it's a good purchase and I'll not be disappointed.

Just started watching this and the ring routine is fantastic! I watched David Jay's Ring Master yesterday and this is a MUCH better purchase.

Yep,

Ravi is a bit of a creative genius!

Much love

Aza

A question about Rring, if possible. How much of it is from D'Ring, and how much is original? From the snippets in the trailer video all the ring moves are from the D'Ring DVD.

Much thanks, Ian

I'll get hold of D'Ring and let you know. I'm on a Ring / Ring and String mission at the moment so I'm trying to get any resources out there.

If you are looking for ring and string moves and routines (and who isn't?) here are some essentials. As ever, look at it all, choose the moves that you like and put a routine together:

Ray Grismer - RRRR (Ray's Ring and Rope Routines)
Greg Wilson - Ring Leader
L&L Worlds Greatest etc on Finger Ring Magic

That should keep you going for a bit. (Twenty years ago I was on the same mission!)

Not heard of the Ray Grismer one. I'll track down a copy. Ta, Ian!

.....Thank you for your comments they truly mean a lot to me. This 2 disc box set has been completely done by scratch from the tricks to conceptualising the cover. To hear your comments and your questions is very inspiring ...so I thank you. In regards to Rring, I am not sure how to measure the amount that is Devo because unfortunately I don't have his DVD. I think when you see the fluidity of the phases they all tie in well together creating this "Garden Path" idea with the effect....to me it feels like an Ambitious Card Routine where the ring keeps coming back on the finger in crazier and crazier visual ways. This is my feel when I perform it...once again thank you and any questions please let me know

Ravi Mayar
Magician, Pickpocket and Hypnotist
www.mayarmagic.com
07854764673

Let me just chime in here:

I absolutely loved this DVD! Regardless of the low budget feel it contains some brilliant material - The best part.... NO CARDS! This is just great organic magic - Full marks Ravi, full marks!

James Brown

The fact there were no card tricks was the reason for me buying it.

I agree with theboss. It is a great purchase for the price and there is stuff I'm really looking forward to showing off.

I will be using a lot of this at a showcase I have this month so will feed back further comments, but if it gets me more paid work then I owe Ravi a big pint at the next meet!!

Much love

Aza

Absolutely love the stuff on this DVD, and I've seen Ravi do most of this for laypeople and it's 'hit em hard stuff'. The thing I like most about Ravi's work is, the organic feel to his effects, no cards and everything used is what you would carry with you at all times, or find in a bar, in someone's home or at your venue.

Great work Ravi!

Gary Jones.

I'm currently practising "Rring" off the DVD. It's quite challenging as it takes a fair amount of dexterity to make it convincing but I can feel it's getting closer and more consistent. I'm really enjoying learning it and it has already got a thumbs up from my other half so it's got to be good material.