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The Effect

What it says on the pack:

Learn the real work behind one of the most popular tricks of all time - and one of the few close-up effects that is often used by grand illusionists in their full evening shows. The Gypsy thread is perfect for your close up act, your next television appearance, or your current illusion show.

Thanks to modern advances in ultraviolet lighting this trick can be performed in the largest theatrical venues and still be amazing. Learn the exact methods that Gary Ouellet taught to Hans Klok, Alain Choquette, Kirby Van Burch, Steve Wyrick and other performers who use this masterpiece to close their full evening stage shows! Learn the real work on preparing the thread so that the trick works each and every time, learn the secrets of dramatic presentation, and learn all about the proper materials to use. Comes complete with the Camirand Glow Thread.On the companion DVD you will see early and recent performances by Alain Choquette on various theme, Kirby Van Burch, plus a special performance by Jean Boucher performing the trick as taught in the booklet therefore including the latest addition and finesses. As a bonus the instructions booklet also includes the Canvas of Love text and written music sheet.This package contains Gary Ouellet's The Gyspsy Thread a step-by-step illustrated booklet (over 40 photographs), the companion DVD, plus a standard spool of the fantastic Camirand Glo-Thread.

Cost

£28.99 from

http://www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk/new/justin.htm#29

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 it at 1.5

Review

I've seen various renditions of this effect over the years and despite some lack lustre performances, it's been an effect that has always intruiged me.

like a number of Camirand releases this comes with bot a printed book and a DVD. However, be aware that the DVD contains a number of different performances of the effect and only a basic teaching. For learning the complete and detailed routine you will need to read the booklet.

The detail contained within is impressive and whilst the pack contains the UV Glo-Thread, the booklet tells you exactly what thread to buy if you don't need the UV properties, and you'll find this available in fabric shops. You will also find information about lighting, scripts and even the sheet music is printed if you want to get any musician friends to play or record for you.

The instructions for the effect are well written, easy to follow and are illustrated with good close-up photo's in black and white, all of which is what I've come to expect from Camirand products.

The Glo-Thread is what makes this pack different to the others and if you're performing on stage or in clubs and other venues that use UV light then as you will see on the DVD, the thread looks great from a distance and actually looks more like string than thread.

Overall

What I like about this and similar effects is that when they are performed well, they are not just magic - they are a piece of theatre as well.

For this reason and for the quality of the contents I'm rating this as a 9.5 from 10

Hmm... sounds like a well enough put together package but no one is going to convince me that almost £30 is a good price for an effect as old as the hills... I'm afraid I have a lot to spend my money on (*cough*scorpion*cough*) before I shell out that sort of moolah for "the real work" on the bloomin' hindu thread!

Cheers for the review though

That's an awful lot of money for a very old effect !!

It is but...... whilst it's an old effect, you have to learn it from somewhere if you want the proper handling with the best advice on performing it. I've seen a number of performers make a mess of this effect as some of you may have.

Dragon thread is only £6 cheaper and whilst I can't comment on the quality of that package, the quality of this package is tops.

The booklet provides lots of advice on handlings and different routines, patter and performance suggestions as well as including a history of the effect. The DVD provides you with a number of recorded performances from different magicians so you can also get an idea of what it looks like when performed well. Finally, the spool of thread provided is glo-thread which to my knowledge is not available elsewhere (although you can purchase refils on their own).

You may get a good explanation in a book, or even find it on YouTuve but neither will necessarily go into the detail that this package provides. So far, I've received great reactions from close quarters which makes the extra cost worthwhile in my opinion.