talkmagic.co.uk

http://www.mymagic.com/reynolds.htm

The Effect
The magician takes a pocket hank out of his pocket and starts to roll it up - but it's too short for the trick he wanted to do. No problem - he stretches the hank to the right size. Just as he is about to start do the trick, the hank flies out his hand into the audience. When the magician finally has control over the hank again he makes it stand up by itself - only to fall over on to his head. He then tries to tie a knot in the hank - only to have the knot disappear. He finally ties a knot in the hank and one of the audience blows on it and the knot disappears again.

The hank is then folded into a hat, an iron, a christmas cracker and finally into a mouse which seems to come alive - running around the magician and then jumping into the audience.


Cost $29 - a little on the expensive side, but it'll pay for itself very easily.



Difficulty 1 - easy to do - it requires learning a few false knots and folding the hank, however, this dvd is all about performance - and that's not so easy.
(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)



Review
This is exactly what i was looking for. I knew the folds etc. but I just wasn't sure how to put it all together in a routine. This routine fits me perfectly - I could almost take it as is and use it in my show. (I know - not a good thing to do, but I'm just making a point)
You get really good instructions on how to do all of the folds, moves etc, and you get a really usable routine. The dvd has two example performances, as well as a whle lot of tips on performing it. It's great to see how the kid's react.

There is also a bonus section on routining(sp?) - ie. how he went about putting this routine together. Really good advice for other routines.

Overall
Ok - this isn't for everyone. I was specifically looking for some performance ideas for the handkerchief mouse when I bought it. But - if you're into kid's magic I would definitely recomend it. Talk about 'packs flat plays big' - all you need is a pocket handkerchief and you have a 5 minute routine.
The dvd is well put together and easy to navigate. I'll give it a 10/10 - mainly because I got what I was looking for - and more. That seems rare when it comes to buying magic

As you say it sounds expensive for what it is, and yet I find myself somewhat drawn to it. If nothing else as a nice way to entertain the nieces and nephews.

If I was a professional childrens performer though, I think I wouldnt even hesitate before purchasing it...

Comments This video starts with the performance footage of Quentin Reynolds in front of a group of about 30 kids 5 - 6 years of age. When I was considering getting the video, I read that nothing more was needed than a pocket hank. As I watched the performance it became apparent that there would be the need for an IT hook-up and I was a bit upset about that. Imagine my surprise when Quentin Reynolds went into the explanation and I learned that absolutely nothing was required, other than just the pocket hank!

While Quentin Reynolds is a children's performer, the items contained in this video can be used by any performer, in any venue and takes up only the space of the pocket hank in your pocket. This can be done impromptu or as part of a greater routine. Quentin includes all the subtleties and nuances and jokes that can only come with thousands of performances.

Stretching Hank The hank is stretched to twice it's length - visual and unbelievable with credits given for added subtleties
Jumping Hank The hank literally jumps out of the performers hand - includes tips on getting the greatest distance and illusory subtleties that make it's jump appear farther than normal...Gives credits to the predecessors of the work on this part
Knitty-Knot Try as hard as he can, the performer can not tie a knot in the hank - several methods of convincingly tieing a knot that simply will not knot (again, credits given)
No Not When the knot is finally tied, it melts away - no bind ups, the knot does melt away...Includes nuances of getting a more visual effect from the knot melting away with credits
Stand-Up Hank The hank stands high and straight - the appearance is that no way this could happen without a hook-up or IT, but nothing is used but the hank
The Magic Mouse The crowning achievement of this routine - Quentin teaches you the nuances of the fold required to make the mouse, goes over several items that the hank appears to be prior to the completion of the fold, then, finally breathes life into the mouse. Guys, it looks real. The mouse runs up your arm, up your body, around your neck, jumps into the audience and creates complete chaos. Quentin also puts the perfect ending on this mouse routine. The entirety of this routine is logical and each effect follows the next properly - a well honed routine beginning to end.

Now, you're saying this is kid stuff. In fact, this can be morphed into any age and venue of performance. If you use nothing but the mouse you'll have got your money's worth. I can't stress enough just how realistic the illusion of the mouse being alive is. As I stated earlier, when I watched the performance I simply could not believe that an IT hook up was not required. Amazing. My normal venue includes a mix of children to adults and I've found that the adults take as much enjoyment from this routine as do the children.

Additional material on this video includes (with proper crediting): Frank Garcia's Iron Gag, Stewart Judah's Watchwinder gag; tips from George Sands, Harry Blackstone Sr., Dan Garrett, Martin Gardner; tons of jokes, gags, by-play, tidbits and advice. Includes a discussion in the end for making the routine even stronger.

Particularly for kids performers who are looking to put a strong routine into their show that will take up at least 5 minutes, I highly recommend this video.

Mike.

Nice review Mike

I was just adding to what you already had there, Taneous. You gave it a 10 out of 10 and I am in 100% agreement!

Mike.

For anyone interested in buying it in the UK, it is available here for £24

http://www.magicshop.co.uk/product_info ... =743&ref=5

There is also a great video demo of it, which I urge everyone to watch even if they aren't in the least bit interested in buying it. The clip is so full of children laughing that I will guarantee it will brighten anyones day.

Suddenly the appeal of doing children's magic becomes very obvious. You guys that do it full time must find it very rewarding...

Hi all

Thank you for the review, I watched the clip, very nice routine. People at work have always asked me to do kids stuff, and always turned them down, as I dont have enough kids stuff to do. This would definatley be worth adding i think

I'll let you know if I do
Thanks Again

Mark

The fact of the matter is, Mark, that the magic mouse can be found in hundreds of books, one being the Paul Daniels and Barry Murray book, "You Don't Have to be a Kid to Pull a Rabbit Out of a Hat." Further, everything in Reynold's DVD can be researched seperately of the DVD itself. You don't need this DVD if your are looking to do kid's work.

What you get from Reynold's is an already workable routine which has been tested, reworked and perfected over the last 2 decades. That fact, coupled with the fact that this series of tricks is altogether in one, single work, makes this video well worth the price. The vid is just as much an excercise in children's psychology as it is a magical routine.

Mike.

I agree with that. I was doing the mouse for a while before I bought the dvd - with reasonable results, but the dvd really showed me how to maximize the whole thing. It also made me realsise the entertainment potential in so many other effects I had overlooked as being a bit boring.

I have two books on hankerchief magic and I've read about false knots etc, but ever really seen how to incorporate them into a routine. I think it's because I've always had them in my mind as standing alone. I think Quentin does this really well.

the magic mouse can be found in hundreds of books, one being the Paul Daniels and Barry Murray book, "You Don't Have to be a Kid to Pull a Rabbit Out of a Hat."

A lot of it is also in 'Adult Magic' by the same authors!

Yes. It is a good routine. I taught it to Quentin in the first place.

One of my (ahem, many) guises is a pro-clown (please note, not one of those who just does kids parties to make money ... I study the stuff) - I also do loads of schools work. I think that this small bit of foolishness would go down a treat.

If there are any Christian magic workers out there could I suggest a follow on for easter time.

Take the end of the trick with the unfolded hank. talk about Jesus being wrapped up and then put in a cave. Here's the end bit. use some sort of change apparatus.

Until my son broke it a few days ago I used an indian sweet jar, but they don't make them anymore (unless someone knows of another place I don't) so now I have a reception can. Use that and change the hank into celebrations chocolates and talk about the celebration of easter.

Of course, you don't have to link it to the Easter stuff, you could just use it as a neat and tidy end to the trick by changing it into choc. etc.!

I recently looked this review up because it was being discussed earlier today on a thread in another part of these forums.

Taneous, you still pulling this out in your shows? I have to count this as being one of my best purchases in magic. I have gotten so much milage off of this routine that it has paid for itself many, many times over. I simply cannot recommend this highly enough.

Mike.

I had read about the Magic Mouse a few times, ( thanks to Mike. ) though I hadn't really considered it. After seeing it reviewed here, I decided it sounded like something I could use, that would fit my style. I bought the DVD a few weeks ago and am very glad I did.
Quentin shows a real performance and also gives reasons and clear instructions in the explanations section. I found it very easy to follow and was delighted at how well my first attempt at making the mouse turned out.

The DVD can be considered expensive, but so are DVDs on cards, coins and rubber bands. The props are so inexpensive, it balances out compared to buying a single prop effect.

What I like about this, is the suitability for different genres of magic.
It should also be acceptable for purists who don't like gimmicks, while still being easy enough for people who don't do sleights. It is ALL about performance, rather than having to learn "moves".

The "five minutes" part isn't entirely accurate, as you can adjust the routine to suit the situation at the time of performance. It is what I call a "loose" routine, where, once you know how to perform it, you don't set down a hard and fast script.

Nobody will know if you have skipped a part, as you feel the reaction wasn't so good this time, or extend it if they are screaming/laughing there heads off.

Some bits of advice I would ask though. (Innuendo intended:)

I found it difficult to push the mouse up over shirt pockets. ( Practising at work, so can't just wear one without pockets.) The handkerchief I have is fairly soft, would starch help the mouse slide over the shirt easier?

Also, I can't "get it up" all the way, as it tend to flop too quickly. Again, would starch help, or should I get thicker cotton handkerchiefs to start with?

Many thanks.

Darrel, if you have a hard time getting the little bu**er around your pocket, then avoid your pocket. Remember, the mouse is a puppet - it is under your control. You have breathed life into it, so if it gets caught on your pocket, then you have created a bad monster.

Okay, I'm pretty well bangered and am waxing a bit philosophical, but you created the little guy, he is your "monster" - just like the one Frankenstein created, only not as big, mean and green.

Well, it depends on your interpretation as to whether or not he was green...(The Frankenstein monster, that is.)

Personally, I prefer a more supple hank. I don't like the stiff feeling to the hank and the only real reason to have it starched is to get the "standing on end" effect. So, your soft hank isn't necessarily a bad thing. You have to find what works for you (and in the meantime, keep playing with your mouse as if it were real, avoiding the pockets he gets stuck on).

"Get it up all the way," and, "Flop too quickly," I don't quite understand what you are asking...PM me if you need to.