Talkmagic.co.uk

Waldorfcartoons · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject: Around the Square by Devin Knight

I love newspaper tear / restore effects - and this one is right up my street.

Here's the 'blurb' you'll find on magic store websites.

A new and novel paper effect! Do not confuse this with the old Squircle effect. Although similar, this is a greatly improved version. A double sheet of newspaper is shown on both sides. It is folded into quarters and a small 2" square is cut from a folded corner. (In the original Squircle, a double sheet of newspaper is folded in half and a semicircle is cut out.) The 2" square is unfolded showing it is actually a 4" inch square.

The double sheet of newspaper is partly unfolded. Instead of the expected rectangular shape, the audience sees a semicircle! (You cannot do this with the old Squircle.) The newspaper is completely unfolded revealing a cutout circle in the middle!

For an additional kicker, the small cutout square is waved in the air. The corners VISIBLY turn round. This small piece is fully opened and seen to be a circle. This cutout circle perfectly matches the circular hole in the newspaper. Even the print on the cutout circle matches the rest of newspaper proving this was cut from that newspaper!

Bonus Mental Effect:

The performer has a participant select a card from an ESP deck. The participant retains the card, but he does not look at the symbol on it. The performer shows a sheet of newspaper and claims he will cut out a design that will match the symbol on the unknown card. The performer cuts out a square. The participant shows his selected ESP card; it is a circle. It appears the performer has failed.

The performer says, "That is exactly what I predicted, a circle." Before the participant can protest, the performer opens up the sheet of newspaper revealing a cutout circle. The performer's prediction is correct!

Suitable for both stage and close-up performances. Comes with sample newspaper, script with comedy patter, detailed photographed directions showing how to gimmick more newspapers and templates.

All of this is true.

I was worried at first about what looks like and obvious 'crease' on the newspaper - I keep it in my pocket, folded like a fan (which creates a few creases just in case anyone spots something ....). That's just me being 'belt and braces'; it isn't a problem.

I've used it with adults during a business lecture on marketing ('perception' and 'reality') and it will obviously be a great routine with kids.

Get a couple of newspapers and you can make up half a dozen versions. It takes me about five minutes to make them. First time took me fifteen minutes as I was checking and rechecking with the sample provided.

Price about £15
Ease of use 1/2
Value 8.5/10 (a touch expensive - but I'm a long established Scottish meanie.....)