talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect
A coin passes through the base of a glass


Cost
£9.99 -Marvins Magic



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)

1. One easy sleight

Review
I know that Marvins Magic is mostly considered beginner stuff, it was how I got in to magic in the first place, but I think this trick is worth putting in at any time. It is well made, has a neat gimmick which I leave in full view at the end of the trick because it is less visible that way!

The trick can be performed close up and I try to do it very quietly and to create an atmosphere of mystery because it has a nice noise effect at the end that can make spectators jump!



Overall

I give this 9/10 for effect and ease of performance. It works at most levels (obviously not with other magis), I have done it at the dinner table, at parties and even at a childrens party. (I was very green at the time and allowed myself to be persuaded to "do it again" and a bright 9 yr old almost spotted the method)

Beginners stuff, as you call it can look very slick and professional with the right presentation and handling. Just because a trick is considered easy and self working doesn't mean that it won't impress the laymen.

I think that this little gem is absolutely brilliant, I was fortunate enough to discover it tucked away in a lot that I bought at our local Magic Societies annual auction... aka... the night where everyone dumps their unwanted rubbish on the new guys.


I have used it down the pub where its gone well, but also included it at a compact, but not squashed, venue (30 - 40 people) which was intimate enough for everyone to see quite clearly the set up.

I invited an audience member to come up and witness the passing through close up on behalf of the rest of the audience, I also used a penny choosen by the spectator from a glass bowl containing 20 or so post 1990s all different dates and then asked the spectator to mark a small adhesive dot and place it as identification onto the selected penny whilst also making a note of the date on the coin which I then proceeded to pass through the glass.

The sound of the penny passing through the glass and chinking against the sides of the glass is extremely audible as well as visual even for those a little way away from the performance area and works well.

I leave the witnessing spectator to remove the glass and inspect the penny for their identifying date and sticker before instructing them to hold it aloft to prove to the audience that it is indeed their randomly selected and marked penny and not a gimmick that I forced or gave to them.

I honestly feel that with a touch of showmanship this has an extremely strong, visual and audible effect which although self working could do no other than give a big boost to a beginners confidence and reputation.


I'm delighted with my accidental purchase.