talkmagic.co.uk

Effect
This is probably the most visual, instant, magical opener you could wish for. Two ropes, held one in each hand, wide apart. You swing them together and they magically join to form one long rope which is immediately given for examination. You quite simply can't get cleaner and more magical than this and it's a great way to lead into your other favourite rope routines. NO MAGNETS, THREADS, WIRE, FASTENERS OR OTHER SUCH GIMMICKS. NO SKILL REQUIRED.


Price

£5.50


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)

- I would say a two


Review

After reading the blurb about this trick and seeing its price I was immediately drawn to the idea as a opener to Richard Sanders Fiber Optics routine. The price tag was right and I was buying other items so I thought to myself "Why not".
On opening the packet and seeing what was inside I was immediately sceptical and felt a bit duped by the correct but slightly misleading ( I felt) " OTHER SUCH GIMMICKS" line.
Anyway I put these inital fears to one side and read the instructions and decided to set it up and give it a go.
After much frustration and swearing I did get this to work and quite nicely too once practice has got this really smooth. My major problem though is the physical restriction I found performing this a the lack of practicality in a real world situation. If on a stage this, as it says, would have to be an opener and it is quite a strong effect if I didn't think the performer could manage to pull off not looking like they were in an odd posture.
Although the trick leaves you pretty clean and the rope examinable I would feel pretty unsure about continuing with the act as I think you could reveal if you were not careful. Although advertised both as a stage and a close up effect I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable doing this close up and have rarely done any stage work to which this I feel is far more suited.
I will attempt to see if I can modify this as I think the illusion itself is a strong one but it's impracticality to my performance renders this to have a high possibility to be very shortly residing in the back of my forgotten magic drawer



Overall

Nice effect and cheap. A pity it is so impractical - 3/10

This brings back memories! I did this trick 45 years ago! In fact I am amazed to see that it is still advertised. Same title and everything! I can assure you that if someone is advertising it as his creation it isn't! Old as the hills and I have often wondered over the last 40 years or so what happened to the trick since I never saw it advertised anywhere.

It is actually very good but can only be used as an opener. It was my opener on stage for a few years between the age of 16 to 19 years old. It was quite practical I remember although you had to walk on in a very cramped position. However once the trick was done (only a few seconds) I seem to remember that there was no problem continuing with the act and it was only the beginning where the cramped position was necessary.

You know something? I am going to buy it even if just for sentimental reasons! It is dead cheap! When it was sold 50 or so years ago it was a lot more expensive than it seems to be now once you take into account how much money was worth in those days.

Who sells it?

Thanks for the review! I've seen it around a few times and always wondered what it was like. If it's only really suitable for stage then that's a few quid saved!

Mark, it's available from International Magic.

Yes International Magic is where I got it from.

I really like the peeps in there...always really friendly and helpful.

...and yes you are right about being clean and free afterwards. I just worry as it is not a set up I've ever used before