talkmagic.co.uk

Tony Clark’s Paper Balls Over The Head
£20. Video from www.Alakazam.co.uk

Overview
I wonder how many people don’t bother even opening this thread? I am not sure that I would have, and yet now I have watched it I feel compelled to gush ecstatically over it.

If you didn’t know already “Paper Balls over the head” is a comedy magic routine that can be played to adults and children alike.

You have a spectator up on stage, sit them down, and ask them to hold a box of tissues (or in Tony Clark’s case, sometimes a roll of toilet paper). You tell them that you are going to perform an observation test. You take a tissue, roll it into a ball, and ask them what hand the tissue is in.

When they answer, you open both hands to show that in fact the ball has completely vanished.

The reality of the situation is that whereas the spectator is seeing amazing feats of magic taking place, the audience is seeing you chuck the ball over the head of the volunteer.

This is repeated several times, culminating with the vanish of a really huge paper ball (with a capital Hugh).

I know what you may be thinking. When I first read this in “The Magic of Slydini”, which incidentally is for me a true classic of magic and deserves a place of honour in everyone’s library. Anyway, I digress. I have to confess that when I first read “The flight of the paper balls” I thought. Nah. This won’t work today. Maybe in the 1950’s, or perhaps Paul Daniels could get away with it (and he frequently did), but it wasn’t for me.

Well, I sit here now and tell you all I was wrong. And what’s more, if you are thinking the same (shame on you) you are wrong too.

This simple effect has so much going for it, and this is proved conclusively by the wonderful video.

Tony Clark claims to be one of the (if not “the”) last student of Slydini himself, and his technique would give no reason to suggest otherwise.

So why was I so bowled over by this video. I mean a video. Who buys videos in the high tech DVD age of hours? Well I can answer that in one word.

MISDIRECTION.

Slydini is the undisputed master of misdirection and this whole routine is based around understanding it. If you learn this routine then you will understand more about both physical and mental misdirection. In short you WILL become a better magician.

I am so glad I watched this video. I will practice the routine, and one day I hope to perform it well enough to do it justice.

nice review bannana man, this review should be held up for when talk goes around about why by a vid for a trick for a simple trick, because its the routine that counts well played.

I did this trick (probably very badly) to someone a few years ago and she said it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen.

Part Timer wrote:I did this trick (probably very badly) to someone a few years ago and she said it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen.

So just think how amazed she would have been if you hadn't have done it badly!

Seriously, if you got great reactions, and she was amazed - then let's face it you must have performed it pretty well...

Having seen this video recently I will have to agree with Bananafish that it is a wonderful tutorial. Tony Clark is clear and concise in all aspects of the explanation.

Even during the explainations on how to throw the paper ball his timing is wonderful. Sometimes even fooling the assistant who is helping with the explanation.

Like Bananafish says if you saw the tape in a shop you would pass over it. Given everything that you can now buy it is all too easy to overlook the entertaining stuff. I am glad to have seen it.

I think i saw paul zenon do this with a spec during his tour a couple o years back. Was very funny, then he did a sucker silk to egg effect with his "apprentice".

Most "old classics" can be revamped to fit in with the modern day culture. I think the easiest way to revamp an old effect is to use a different prop i.e. the toilet paper.

I'm terrible at being creative with old effects .
Theres a website that teaches you about creating your own comedy sketch or taking an old sketch and "customising" it. I'l see if i can find the webbie. It could be useful at creating "new" routines from old effects.

(this should probably be in the support and tips section) feel free to move it mods

Paul Daniels used to combine this with his electric chairs routine and I'm sure Jonathan Creek did something similar in one of his early episodes - in an Indian Restaurant?

Mandrake wrote:Paul Daniels used to combine this with his electric chairs routine

Yes, I too have heard this, and I would so love to see Paul Daniels do them. I find there to be a wonderful magic irony of the two effects being combined in this way. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Paul's routine was shown on one of those 100 Best Magic Tricks programmes not too long ago. It was good to see the original 'cheeky chappie' style again and it just showed how very entertaining a simple effect can be in the hands of a skilled professional. (I still have no idea how the electric chairs effect was achieved!)

I really love this effect. I perform it regularly depending on how 'up for it' the audience are. I have risked doing it on stage also at the comedy club and it has worked well. During my stage act for adults, if there are kids present I get them up on stage to help out. The total bewilderment on their face is priceless, the parents love it and give that 'I'd never be fooled by that' look. At certain corporate dinner events I even manage to persuade observers, by looks alone, to catch a wine glass that goes hurtling over the head (Greg Wilson). It's a great effect. I may even have ot buy this to see what else can be added.

Kevin

I have never seen this trick but from your description it sounds really odd. Which could be a good thing as you are showing the audience something they never expect.

when you have an assistant at a kids party you can start with sponge balls and progress to footballs ita real killer.

greg wilson does this in his dvd, but in the end starts chucking pint glasses over there heads ( assistant catching them of course ) then does a produce back as well, right past there ear