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I made my first visit to the Sussex Magic Circle this evening. Even though they now meet in Hassocks - about a mile from my house - I've still never gone along to any of their meetings or made moves towards joining, because I don't like performing for magicians, and I don't like the politics of 'clubs' in general...

But, when I found out that Craig Petty was going to be lecturing there this evening, I made the effort to turn up.

Okay... a few things up front. Craig's type of magic isn't what I tend to do myself, so I'm unlikely to take or use anything verbatim. My leanings are very much towards mentalism and/or absurdity these days, so the fine work of coins and cards don't grab me as much as they did when I was constantly hungry for new tricks.

BUT... some of you will probably realise that I shot and edited four of Craig's most recent DVDs, as well as Russell Leeds' Banding Around DVD (and Russell was there too). Despite that, I'm not vain enough to say that me and Craig are thick as thieves - we exchange a manly handshake whenever we bump into each other, but that's about it.

What I like about Craig is his enthusiasm for his subject (when you consider how often he lectures these days, maintaining that enthusiasm is no mean feat), and the work he puts into his routining. Take Pentacle, for example. If my first encounter with Pentacle had been the gimmick itself, I'd have blown a raspberry and walked away. Craig's routines, however, are stellar, and make a very uninspiring piece of kit shine like something immensely shiny on International Shiny Thing Day.

Craig was on good form this evening, and his lecture served to introduce a lot of the stuff he's been working with over the last year or two, from coin bags to split coins and the mighty Mirage coin set.

Obviously, all that stuff was available to buy on the night, but the prices... Lordy, the prices. I was tempted to finally buy a Mirage Coin Set - even though I'll probably not use it in my paying work. I could have spent a fortune on stuff for my own amusement there if my upcoming Edinburgh show hadn't already drained every last penny from me...

Craig did some card stuff, but the focus was on coins. The pitch was for coins what paul Gordon's lectures are for cards - an attempt to pique our enthusiasm and get us doing coin magic. There was stuff with flippers, split coins and coin bags, as you'd expect (I believe I was the first one to mention the pirate's puse to you, Craig!!). Card work was kept to a minimum but was effective nonetheless.

As someone who has sat through many of Craig's routines again and again and again while editing the DVDs, I found it interesting to see that they've evolved quite dramatically since the DVD shoot. This is a sign that they really are part of his working repertoire rather than stuff he's thrown together as 'product'. Even if you have his DVDs and know the published routines inside and out, you'll still be surprised by the way they're now presented. Handling has changed, patter and context have changed. Everything has evolved to the point where your thinking juices start bubbling all over again. I've seen performers and lecturers rework routines before, but these are the most honestly organic developments I can think of, reminding us that there's no one way to do something, and you shouldn't stop developing something just because it's a worker.

The lecture was a first-rate introduction to Craig's work, but I'd also argue that it should be seen as supplementary material and a kick up the creative jacksie for those that already have Craig's DVDs, products and books - or shock treatment for anyone that's content to learn other people's routines verbatim. If I found coins and cards funny, silly or absurd enough for my taste, Craig's material would be my first port of call for putting together close-up material. Those of you with a little more self respect than I have would do well to seek out his next lecture (and pick up some killer bargains if you don't already have his stuff)!.

Pete

I've just realised that this should probably be in the reviews section.

Mr Mandrake, sir??

His lecture was a very good sales pitch and I ended up buying some expensive stuff but frankly I was disappointed with the DVD that came with it. The moves weren't taught very well at all in comparison with other teaching DVDs and I was left wanting. Consequently the equipment I bought has been left sitting on the shelf (very unlike me).

Hey Pete thanks for the detailed review. That must have took you forever. I am really glad you enjoyed the material, even though you have seen a lot of it before

Kevin I am sorry you thought my lecture was just a sales pitch as it was not intended that way. I main aim is to inspire people to perform more coin magic and I find the best way to do this is through the use of gimmicks. That is why I have coins etc available to buy but if you ask around you will find the prices are way cheaper than anywhere else, I pretty much put everything out at cost because I really want people to try this stuff.

Regarding DVD quality I can only assume you are talking about Attack of the Bag or Flipped Out. All my DVDs after that were produced by Pete Wells and include full sleight sections with multiple camera angles. Which is the DVD you have a problem with I may have a solution. Finally I really don't want you to feel disappointed with any purchase as I said my goal was to inspire not provide you more items for your bottom draw. If you want a full refund send me the stuff back and I will paypal you money back straight away in full.

Craig

I was also at the lecture, and did walk away with Attack of the Bag (and the sequel) and did actually get the Mirage set, and I have to say that I've been sitting here playing with them pretty much constantly since.

Im perfectly happy with the quality of the kit (though the slot in the bags is just a little too narrow to get a standard poker chip in there) and think that the DVD quality is just fine

The lecture too in my opinion was really top notch. His handling is great, his patter was good and he's just a really nice bloke.

I think that on pretty much all of the lectures I've seen the visitng magicians have been selling their products, and why shouldn't they. I certainly didnt feel like Craigs lecture was a dealer dem, he was constantly checking if people had questions on the handling, and was talking about his passion for magic and coins.

Great lecture and great products in my opinion

Just to clarify things. The lecture I was referring to was at the Zodiac earlier this year which I presume was the same lecture he is touring with.

Since my post Craig has very kindly and generously offered to try and remedy the situation (the products are excellent, it was just the teaching of some of the more complex sleights and moves that could have been better) by sending me a more detailed sleights DVD.

Much appreciated