talkmagic.co.uk

Sankey 1999


The Effect

A video containing a number (26) of individual magic effects, ideas and whatnot.


Cost

I bought mine a while back on Ebay for a tenner, but shop around and see what you can do.

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)

As there are variety of tricks containing a variety of easy and hard sleights, I couldn't say. But as with most of Sankey's stuff it is all relatively simple.

Review

Ok, now as there are so many effects on the video I will not review every one, just a 'sprinkling'. Before I do, let me tell you about the actual video. It is one of Sankey's earlier works, so the quality is not as brilliant as most of his recent DVDs. Also, it isn't made up of entirely solid effects. Jay actually says this in the introduction, that it is full of - 'some polished routines, some just beginning on something, and some just -hearrrmmrm- almost there'. It is also quite nicely laced with several 'comedy bits', using various props, nice to watch and can be incorporated into routines. Fun/ny to watch, and nice to see some refreshing comedy from Sankey's previous work.

Now for a couple of effects-


Sweet surprise-
A brilliant trick. Simple aswell. A sugar packet that the spectator holds onto under the table transposes with a sweet 'n' low above the table. Very simple, and one that I can honestly say that I use very often whilst out with friends. Impromptu, in-their-hands, impossible. I love this one. 10/10

Measles-
Very nice, logical, fun trick. You display a card from your pocket and say that it isn't allowed near the deck as it has mMmMmeasles! You turn it round and display that the back is covered in small black spots. You touch it aginst the deck, and then lift it up to show the card on the top of the deck has caugh'the measles' (it too is now covered in spots). You proceed to do so with various other cards, and then finally, the entire deck catches 'the measles'.
Fun trick, easy to do, and also easy to incorporate various other moves into. I also do know that Sankey has released this as a seperate effect in the past. 8/10

Twice as nice-
A card is selected, returned, and then magically reverses itself in the deck, visually. Twice. Quite a nice effect, requires only a deck of cards, but also a set-up. I have experimented but I don't think it has much WOW! factor in it. Still, a strong effect worth at least 7 out of 10

Waccy tabaccy-
Don't be discouraged by the name, it's a simple trick, and it doesn't require illegal substances to be performed! The cigar band on a cigar vanishes, and reappears back on the cigar, which has been held on to by the spectator throughout. I don't smoke cigars as I am 15, but it seems like quite a cute 'bit'. Nothing jaw-dropping but usable. 6.5/10

IQ test-
A wonderful curiosity that I have never performed but it intrigues me so much. A spot is drawn onto a card, about the size of a penny. It is coloured in black with your trusty sharpie, which you then proceed to slowly melt through the dot. The black dot, as it were, has now changed into a hole. The sharpie is taken out of the hole were it is seen to be once again, a black dot. The card can now be examined. An illusion very much worth admiring. 9/10

Cheesecake-
A short clip that may scar you mentally forever.
Fortunately it is also very funny.

Blackstack-
A new concept-type thing that is relatively clever. It is away of producing a large amount of coins in either, or both hands. They are clearly, and very fairly shown empty, at which point you grab out into the air and produce a number of coins. Not very usable, as not all of the coins can be examined, and the set-up is pretty crazy to get into. 5/10

From behind-
A nice quick, different card piece. A card is selected and then returned behind your back. You turn around and a card is seen poking from your shirt pocket. You take it out and show it to be the selection. Very nice thinking, easy to perform and an unusual effect. 8/10

That is about as many tricks as I can bother commenting on, but if you have any particular tricks that you would like me to review please choose from this list of remaining effects-

Ear to Eternity
Splittin' Time
Extended Credit
Purse Vanish
Backspin Special
Dark Powers
Round Tripping
On Tour
Fifth Quarter
Up and Out
Golden Treasure
Small Wonder
Face Up Rubaway
Instant Origami
The Magnet Card
Two Shoelaces
Matchbox Mentalism

If you like the name of one, I will be happy to review it. I like the look of 'Instant Origami'. It sounds quite intriguing. So here I go-

Instant Origami-
You display a small coloured square of paper and place it into your hand. Then you merely squeeze, and reveal that the paper has folded itself into a little origami figurine. Nice, simple, visual effect. Uses a very common prop among magicians and is sure to dazzle children or people who like colours and fuzzy materials. I can't say that I have tried it 1000 times, but I'm sure you could use it in pretty much any close-up situation. 7/10



Overall

Overall, we have a video (edit - also DVD) containing lots of little gems in magic. Quick, fun tricks. Nothing life-changing, but if you enjoy Jay's work and can spare the money, I heartily recommend it.

A high 8.5 out of 10



Ouch-Kabibble

Hey thanks for that great review! I may have to get this when i stop being poor! Could i possibly ask what each of the list of the effects actually involves though please? Like coins, cards, mentalism, etc. I know with some of them its obvious but i'd just appreciate knowing the variety that you get on this dvd.

Thanks! Rich

Right away sir!

The ones I haven't explained fully are basically-

Ear to Eternity - Coin
Splittin' Time - Coin
Extended Credit - Close up
Purse Vanish - Close up idea
Backspin Special - Coin and card
Dark Powers - Elastic band
Round Tripping - Card
On Tour - Card
Fifth Quarter - Coin
Up and Out - Card
Golden Treasure - Coin/ Close up
Small Wonder - Coin
Face Up Rubaway - Card sleight
Instant Origami - Close up
The Magnet Card - Card
Two Shoelaces - Shoelaces! (Rope I guess)
Matchbox Mentalism - Matchbox, mentalism (Title is a clue)

So not much mentalism in there. The majority of effects are things you would primarily use close-up.