Henry Sugar, by Liam Montier
£10 from http://www.underground-collective.com/
The Effect.
This is a mentalist card trick based on a well known short story by Roald Dahl, called "The wonderful world of Henry Sugar".
The basic plot of the story is that Henry Sugar finds a manuscript that states that you can use mental yoga techniques to, amongst other things see things without your eyes. Study and practice meant that Henry was eventually able to see what playing cards were in an opponents hands just by mentally visualising them.
He then went on to cheat all the big casinos out of loads of money – which (being a nice guy) he donated to orphanages all around the world.
Ok, so the scene is set – the magician claims that they have seen the manuscript, and have had a certain amount of success with the mental yoga techniques involved.
He takes a deck of cards, and is just about to shuffle them when he thinks better of it, and hands them to the spectator to shuffle. He then claims that as he is so new to this, he can only do it with very visual cards, ie the court cards.
He explains that what he wishes the spectator to do, is to take the cards off the newly shuffled deck one by one. If the card isn’t a court card, then it is just to be discarded face down on the table, however, if it is a court card, then he is to keep the card in his hand and stare at it – visualising it as much as possible. The magician will then attempt to reveal the card.
This happens three times. Each time the magician getting it correct.
So maybe the canny spectator suspects marked cards are being used?
To dispell this accuation, the cards are shuffled again (by the spectator ), and the magician tries again, but this time he turns his back, whilst the same scenario is repeated.
AND AGAIN HE GETS IT RIGHT, 3 TIMES OUT OF THREE!
(Sorry to shout. I got excited. It’s true – it happens exactly as described. Isn’t this brilliant?)
So now the magician is feeling confident, and suggests that he will try with a non court card. He asks the spectator to think of any card at all, and then to help with the visualising, find the card and stare at it intently for a few seconds. The card is then lost in the deck.
The magician can turn around at that point and – yes, with enough concentration. He WILL name the card.
Difficulty. 1/5
1=Even I can do it, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
There is an alternative handling of the ending suggested, that believe it or not makes it even stronger. If it is done with this ending, then it would become (imo) a 4.
Review.
First let me say that this is a downloadable trick, and all you get is a pdf manuscript. So if you think £10 is a lot for a single card trick then you probably won’t read any further, after all look at all the amazing tricks you get (for example) in the “Art of Astonishment” books. However, I do urge you to read on.
The document is actually a very professionally produced pdf file – but to be honest. who cares. What you do get is the ability to do, imho a very easy and absolutely jaw dropping mentalist card trick with a great story line, which is something that I find very important in the magic I do
You have read the effect – well that’s how it actually happens.
It's not only seemingly impossible, but also very easy, so the fun is ALL in the presentation.
I can’t recommend this enough.
Rating. Effect/item: 10/10, Quality of goods: 8/10, Value for money: 10/10
Bottom Line.
I have to admit, that this is still quite new to me, and so consequently I haven't performed it more than a few times yet, but I think you just know when you get a good’n. And this is one such item.
This is strong and devious enough that I hope to perform it in front of other magicians sometime at my local magic society.
(so, for all members of the Ipswich Magical Society - y ou are NOT allowed to buy this!!) (sorry Liam)
Well done Liam Montier
for putting this one together.
