Seven Shades by Dr Steve Murray

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Seven Shades by Dr Steve Murray

Postby jackleg » Dec 26th, '09, 16:02



Seven Shades by Dr Steve Murray
Practical Bizarre & Storytelling Magic
Published by Leaping Lizards Publishing

The Effect
About a dozen effects in all but suggestions for alternative presentations are given. Also
There are also 4 essays/authors comments.

Cost
£24.80 plus the usual P&P


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)
2/3

Review
If you are an "experienced" Magi in the world of "Bizarre Magic" then I would suspect there is little technique in this paper back volume that you wouldn't already be aware of. What there is however, and this applies to ANYONE interested in ANY kind of magical performance, is valuable lessons in your routine/show/presentation. Dr Murrays essays on this issue and even the discussion where the Bizarre style of magic is re-branded as Magical Theatre give much food for thought in any style of magic and as someone looking to develop my magic into my magical style I found his insights very evocative.

For someone brand-spankingly new to this genre this is probably not the best book for techniques as on occasion the explanation behind an effect will refer to someone else’s method e.g. "the IT hook up is John LeClair's animator as described in his video...and some of the moves used [are] Daniel Cros's." That said you are left in no doubt as where to look next!
Of the remaining tricks a full detailed explanation of technique leaves you with no questions and full credit is given to any inspiration or technique sourced elsewhere.

I love that Dr Murray advises the reader where he has sourced everything. And I mean EVERYTHING! From fake newspaper clippings to Runes and Skulls. Where possible web links to dealers or other sources are also given. These may date however and the images "provided" for the reader would be better "googled" for clearer images than those in the book.
A minor point (and a pet hate) is there are some glaringly disappointing editing issues but unless you’re like me they don't distract too much.

The effects all run along a similar theme but as Dr Murray mentions they can be adapted to many a storyline.
Emphasis throughout is on the Magi(cian) and his/her style and the overall effect NOT THE TECHNIQUE! And I find this approach refreshing and as I have previously mentioned inspirational.

A list of effects would be normally placed here but I'll just touch on a couple as a taste:

The Book opens with "Memento Mori": A spectator correctly predicting 4 methods of death including there own! I just love this as an opener because you instantly begin to understand where Dr Murray is coming from in terms of presentation. A strong effect that is very easy to do!

Lockerbie: A (primarily) stage based effect where the number of victims, the location and an element (earth, air etc) are all correctly chosen by the 4 spectators. 3 effects all woven together by a strong evocative plot. I especially like the way Dr Murray gets a blindfolded spectator to put a pin in a map and hit Lockerbie (or near it) every time!

Overall
A wonderful read from an author who has put a lot of intelligent thought into how magic should appear from the spectators POV. Some great effects that can be adapted to whatever your style is but in case you need it Dr Murray has included workable scripts as inspiration. At only £25 this is quality material and I would not just recommend it but suggest that no-matter what your style is/isn't, buy this book and you will learn something.

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jackleg
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