The Effect
A classic of Magic! One if not the favourite effect from Slydini. Two white silks are tied together in a fair tight knot only to be instantly seperated, this effect is repeated with more double/triple, quadruple knots by the spectator only to be then instantly seperated by the performer.
The Blurb:
Learn a classic of magic from two masters— past and present
Slydini’s Knotted Silks Includes:
42 pages of Slydini’s annotated instructions including 69 photographs
2 custom made silks
DVD of Bill Malone performing AND explaining his handling of Slydini’s Knotted Silks
Now, for the first time, everything you need to add this classic to your own act is in one place. First, there’s instruction from the master himself as Slydini guides you through the routine step by step in the original meticulously written and photo-illustrated manuscript. Then, pop the DVD in your player to watch Bill Malone, one of the world’s greatest magicians working today, perform “Test of Strength,” his handling of Slydini’s classic routine, for an obviously baffled and entertained audience. Then get ready to learn as Bill teaches his routine in minute detail, complete with all of his own handling nuances. The combination of the written word and the visual medium of video have, perhaps, never been used to greater effect. Finally, there are the props—two silks of the exacting requirements for the routine, enabling you to have the right materials to begin the learning process immediately. The mystery and entertainment of the Slydini’s Knotted Silks is now within your grasp. The only thing missing from the equation—and a new generation of enchanted audiences—is you!
Cost
£23.99 @
www.dudethatscoolmagic.co.uk
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)
This is probably about a 2 - 3 but pretty easy to do the mechanics of the effect but to do it really well requires lots of practice
Review
Ever since first seeing a video clip of slydini performing this I have marvelled at how such a simple premise can be so magical and compelling. This is a classic of magic and I was surprised to learn that this has never been reviewed before.
In the package you recieve two lovely white slydini silks, a dvd with Bill Malone talking you through his version and a fantastic booklet which goes through Slydinis (in his own words) routine in the most thorough detail I have ever come across in magic intructions.
When Slydini wrote about the silks routine he then later came back to it some years later and in an interview with a fellow magician updated what he'd previously written. In what I think is a nice touch the publishers of this booklet have kept the original text for historical purposes and then added the updated notes within the paragraph in a different colour to show what was later added.
Both the DVD and the especially the booklet explain the effect so vividly and concisely that every nuance and problem you could encounter is covered.
I could quite happily say the instructions are pretty much best I have come across so far.
As for the effect itself if you haven't seen it then I urge you to hunt down one of the youtube type sites and find footage of slydini performing this as you really are missing out on something very special; not flashy or showy just very magical, funny and elegant.
This is something I am going to spend lots of time on getting as good as I can get it as I feel it is that strong an effect with a mundane everyday object that people can relate too.
After 20 minutes of practicing I tried this out on lil Miss greedoniz, who is very jaded about the magic thing as she's the tester for all new effects I'm learning, and she squealed with delight when the silks fell away from each other after being tied tight.
So in conclusion this is a classic for a reason and Slydini is one of the greats for a reason and I urge anyone with any interest in the field of close up or indeed stage magic who hasn't seen this effect to check it out... just dont buy it as I want it all to myself
Overall
I hate giving 10 out of 10 but I think I have to as it is pretty much perfect. The only let down is the warning to be wary of performing this in a bar.
So a big 10 from me