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The Effect
It has long been said that the strongest effects are those which happen in the hands of the spectator, what if the effect could take place in the spectators mind? “Between the Lines” combines some revolutionary thinking with a classic mentalism effect to create one of the most powerful routines
available to date!

Imagine handing a spectator a torn page from a random book, you then ask them to imagine a fictitious scene in their mind building it up piece by piece. The spectator is then instructed to read the page, which has been in their possession throughout. Imagine their reaction as it dawns on them that the printed page accurately describes the scene they had created in their mind moments earlier.


Cost
£14.99 - exclusive to www.magicbox.uk.com


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'd rate this as a 2 - there are certainly no sleights, but this will take some real time/practise to get down smoothly; there is a basic script to memorise/personalise, along with additional 'outs', and it requires a good presentational ability.


Review
You receive:

A comprehensive 18-page A5 instruction book, along with 2 pre-torn book pages (identical).

The instruction book - it has to be said - is hugely comprehensive.

WHATEVER YOU DO...put the prop pages to one side BEFORE looking at them, and go straight to the manual, as this pretty-much immediately runs through the effect, using YOU as the spectator; this gives you a really good idea (albeit in a cut-down sense) as to how the effect plays-out - it's kinda freaky, even in this simplistic form

Once this is out of the way, Mr. Murray goes on to run us through the hidden influences, which make up the heart of BTL. Make no mistake - these are very cleverly thought-out, and it's quite obvious that an awful lot of work has gone into crafting this effect.

We then move onto some nice psychological material, to reflect, and further re-enforce the story which the spec has crafted; they are left, in no uncertain terms, with a very strong memory of their story, which is obviously important for the final reveal to be as fully-effective as it can possibly be.

We then move onto how to handle the final revelation - walking your spectator through the prop page, and frying their mind in the process.

As if this really wasn't enough, Michael then goes on to provide an extra 3 pages of 'optional extras'.

Whilst by no means necessary, these go a huge way towards expanding the final impact of the effect. Sure, they'll possibly quite drastically raise the learning-curve required....but I'm fairly certain that they'll increase the impact of the final reveal, practically exponentially!


Overall
Okay - this is an easy call

If you are looking for ONE PIECE of mentalism that will have a lasting effect on your audience, this is undoubtably what you've been searching for; it's very impact lies solely with the fact that your spectator feels they've been given a fair and free choice in the construction of the key points of the story which they, themselves, have created.

Quite simply - they craft this miracle!

Not a down-side, by any means, but prospective-purchasers do need to be aware that there's a medium amount of script to remember, along with certain re-enforcing information that needs to be varied carefully with each performance - this isn't for someone who's just starting out with Mentalism, unless they're willing to spend an hour or so for 3 - 4 days, becoming fully familiar with the required nuances.

Also - whilst learning this, whatever your previous experience-level - I'd suggest you'll need 5-6 'practice' spectators to run-through with, before you'll be fully-ready for a 'real-world' performance. It's not mandatory, of course, but it'll help to prepare you for certain variable-responses you're going to run into from time-to-time.

One final point: the pages you receive are very nicely-done; exact replicas of a novel-size page, and printed on the same kind of paper stock. However, this being the case, they're only going to have a lifespan of about 6 months, depending on how much you use the effect, and possibly less if you're continually folding/unfolding, and have specs with sweaty, dirty mitts

I'm pretty certain that Michael may well - if asked nicely - be able to provide additional copies, for a reasonable price

An easy 9.5/10

Nice review! I received mine today - it's a beautiful thing but definitely NOT something an inexperienced performer should try.

Many thanks for the kind review!

Although were not openly advertising them you may purchase a refill pack of 6 pages for £4.99

These can be bought either over the phone or send an e-mail to info@magicbox.uk.com withe your paypal address and we can send you a money request!

Please note that this is only available to those who have purchased the full effect!


Kind Regards Michael

It's good to hear that extra pages are available, should they be needed

One other point, that I've noticed this morning, and I'm not sure it's something that would be picked-up readily, but thought it worth a mention:

The prop pages are actually torn on the 'wrong' sides Page 103 has the torn edge on the right (and 104 on the left, obviously) - however, if this page had come from a 'real' book the tear would actually need to be on the other side (unless the book's been printed in the wrong order )

As I said, I'm pretty sure it's nothing that a spec would notice, I thought it was worth pointing-out, so it could be rectified on the next print-run.

Hi Rob, thanks for your review, sounds well worth looking into.

Regarding your point about being torn the wrong side - not necessarily! Many books will not even number the chapter/printing details/cover pages, and then number the prologue or recommendation pages with Roman numerals - they will only start the proper page numbers on the first page of "Chapter 1" proper. Depending on whether all the previous content was an odd or even number of pages, this could very easily result in the situation you have observed.

My page was ripped in the orthodox way... must just be one of those things!

Another great review. why do you tempt me so!!

Farlsborough wrote:Regarding your point about being torn the wrong side - not necessarily! Many books will not even number the chapter/printing details/cover pages, and then number the prologue or recommendation pages with Roman numerals - they will only start the proper page numbers on the first page of "Chapter 1" proper. Depending on whether all the previous content was an odd or even number of pages, this could very easily result in the situation you have observed.

I thought that at first, but thinking it through fully if page 103 has a right hand tear it comes from the lefthand side of the book so page 104 would not be on its reverse as in this case , but on the next page. Meaning you should have 2 different pages. i.e 4 sides

This wouldnt put me off however, i very much doubt it would get noticed, Good spot though

Hi Guys

Mine arrived in the post this morning!

Very pleased with it indeed.

Yes it will take a bit of practice but its one of those gems that you will easily pick up, personalise & soon put your own unique slant onto.

If you are looking for something to carry around with you all the time then this really does fit the bill.

Already made some more pages up on my pc & I will go about making the pages look older & used.

Get this guys you wont regret it.

In my book this is 10/10

Sounds excellent, right up my alley and Michael himself seems like a good guy. I'll be picking this up.

Yes, I second the recommendation - also, there's a forum available for additional/further ideas.

I've had to make my own pages, since the ones I received only lasted about ten performances each! But it's not a huge problem, and it gave me the chance to change a few 'details' so that the piece suits my style better.

A wonderful idea, and great value at the price.

Lee

Definitley a future purchase, sounds fantastic from what I've been reading.
I was mightily impressed with Michael's Beyond ESP2 and now I think I would consider buying anything he produces. Great stuff.

Well I've added a little twist to Michael's brilliant little "book test".

As many of you are aware I just came into the possession of a cute little fella made by Dan Baines known as the Swami Spirit Altar. In my handling of this particular piece the page is found in an envelope held by the Swami... the routine allows me to segue' into the Spirit Bell act that the Swami allows me to do but more importantly, the participant that makes this connection to the book page becomes the "recorder" for the Seance -- the person that will help when it comes to spelling out details and bits of information surrounding the encounter.

My handling is a bit more "bold" in that I allow anyone in the group to participate even though I'm only focused on one particular soul in the experiment... the idea is that you end up with more people in the room getting hits or near hits... you are able to show a statistical sense of connection between the Swami Spirit and those present -- a kind of proof that the spirits accept and are communicating with each and every soul that is picking up of the ideas and images in that story.

I've done this particular routine twice now with sound results... the first official performance will be in about three weeks for the membership of the Inner Circle of Bizarre Magick... I don't know which is worse, the fact that I'm breaking in new material in front of a bunch of knowitalls or the fact that that I have to live up to my legend...

Craig Browning wrote:As many of you are aware I just came into the possession of a cute little fella made by Dan Baines known as the Swami Spirit Altar.

And the cute fella will soon have a brother

That thing is creeeeeeeeeepy

You got that right...





(looks like a real quality piece of kit, though)