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I was practising my Cups and Balls routine last night and decided to consult youtube for some inspiration. There are plenty of routines to watch but what is usefull is the access to the professionals, the renowned magicians routines.

I went through a few and this is by no means an insult to any of the magicians I am about to say, but they have absolutely nothing on the Tommy Wonder routine.

Granted, he uses 2 cups instead of three and has a different load, but in my opinion and apparently many others, his routine is a lot better recieved that Ammar's, Malone's, Mendozas Vernon routine...

So watch these three...(if you have the time)

Ammar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWzh3VbXSds

Malone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkFJ6z0ouiQ

Mendoza(vernon) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxV-uN6YTr0

and the what I think to be a routine that beats them all..

Tommy Wonder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ6qT8JvaMY

If you agree, and I hope some of you don't to spark a debate, sets this routine apart from the rest?

I found the Tommy Wonder one more believable and far more entertaining with his touch of humour.

I also found that with a couple of the others, I had more of an idea of what they were actually doing, even with just a very basic knowledge of sleights.

Although upon watching Wonder again afterwards, I clicked on to a little more. Just a little.



On a side note, I think that's the problem with video. You can watch closely again and again for what's happening.

I think what was great about Wonder's routine was that he didn't stick to convetion. He didn't do the "Pick a up and I will make the ball jump from the middle to the side" or anything that most magicians do.

The Malone one is pretty different too, but I don't think it can compete with Tommy.

Another one I very much enjoy is Ricky Jay's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgm4wZCACYg

While Tommy Wonder's is untouchable, personally I find Jay's routine closer than the above three. Malone's rhyming doesn't suit me, though Ammar's is rather good, but a bit standard.

I do think part of the attraction for me to Wonder's and Jay's routine is the signature feel they both give it. Though Wonder's engages the audience so much more than anyone else's.

Anyway, thanks for sharing, they were a nice break from work.

(While we're on the topic is anyone aware if the Wonder and/or Jay routine was part of a larger set available on DVD? I would appreciate any leads, many thanks in advance)

I really liked that, mendoza was good, but wonder was ... well wonderous!

There is an old text on the cups and balls (found at the CNB museum in america) by Ozanam and Guyot, its really good, has the whole cups penetration bit.

and decided to consult youtube for some inspiration

That's a bit like phoning the Samaritans for advice on committing suicide!

dat8962 wrote:

and decided to consult youtube for some inspiration

That's a bit like phoning the Samaritans for advice on committing suicide!

Watching the likes of Wonder, Ammar, Vernon, Malone and Mendoza is hardly a bad thing.

Sorry but I have to agree that Tommy Wonder's cup and ball routine is the best. Having said this, I really enjoyed Michael Ammar's version (a close second) but mostly because I marvel at how magical his sleight of hand can appear and I'm a big fan of his skills (if not always his presention).

Tommy Wonder's routine seemed less cliched to me compared with some of the others and also I'm less familiar with some of the loading methods he used (at least on first viewing) which makes it more surprising.

I'm a Bill Malone fan but I have to say that I didn't like this routine, I found it confusing to follow rather than 'magical'

Having said all of this, I love the cups and balls even if they are not very 'cool' nowadays - thanks for posting this bundle of delight in one post!

What happened to the video of the Professor performing it?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=De2tyFK8WA0

I still love Tommy's more than anyone else for the acting, reminds me of Fred Kaps' Homing Card.

I think that the distinction is that some of the magicians appear to be performing a what is clearly a well rehearsed routine and the more entertaining ones are those where the magician is participatory in the confusion and experiencing the magic with the spectators.

Marvell wrote:I think that the distinction is that some of the magicians appear to be performing a what is clearly a well rehearsed routine and the more entertaining ones are those where the magician is participatory in the confusion and experiencing the magic with the spectators.

I like that answer.

David Williamson's routine uses, 2 cups, and is very entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJiTvLAraJc&feature=related