talkmagic.co.uk

Gumslinger by Chris Webb
£15 – www.worldmagicshop.com
Review by Mark Waddington – November 2009
GUMSLINGER is a visual transformation using chewing gum. You remove the sticks of gum from the box, gum in one hand, sticks in the other, and they change places instantly!

After three live performances on the streets, it's back to the studio so Chris can take you through all the techniques needed to create magic that will simply mess with people's heads!

This is eye popping magic at its best from UK magician Chris Webb and the guys at Wizard FX Productions.

"The transposition used in GUMSLINGER is one of those rare do that again moments. Great visual magic!"
- Marc Oberon - World Champion Magician

"I've been using this as an opener since Chris first showed me this. It just gets great reactions every time!"
- Craig Petty- Creator of Quarantine and The Mirage Coin Set

Review
I’ll be honest, it has taken me a while to write this review. The reason being is that I wasn’t convinced by this effect straight away. I couldn’t see the full potential with it at first. Its taken me a few weeks of working this, but I am a convert to Gumslinger now!

Okay, this isn’t a trick that will (in my opinion) fit into a tux and tie walk around set, but this works fantastically well in the bars and clubs, which is where a lot of my work is. This is magic in its purest form though – what could be more innocent than a pack of chewing gum? Everyone carries chewing gum nowadays, and people are always asking for “a bit of choddy” (yes, we are extremely classy in North Yorkshire...), so you have your perfect “get in” to do the effect.

The effect itself is very easy to do, and doesn’t have any real angle issues. You can go straight into performing this at any point once the gimmick is made, and the reset is extremely fast. The effect doesn’t require any real skill to do – the move is super easy, which allows you to concentrate on building up the moment. You can be out performing this effect in next to no time after you have constructed your gimmick.

I mentioned before that originally I was sceptical about the visual aspect with this routine, but the moment of the change is eye-popping to the spectator. The thing that I love most about it is that you can instantly hand out the chewing gum TO BE EATEN! It’s brilliant, it’s easy, and the audiences love it.

Overall, this is a very cute little effect. You may be sceptical about this effect at first, but just go out and try it. You will get your first wow reaction and you will be forever a “Gumslinger”!

I would give this effect a 9/10 – the only reason it drops a point is because it took me a bit of time to become a convert, but now, I never leave home without it!!

Mark Waddington – November 2009

I totally hated the concept of this when I read the review; I guess I just don't like chewing gum! I mean, gum is not sexy in the way that coins or beer bottles are sexy. But having watched the video, I think it looks really cool, if only because it just looks so ridiculously impossible. Anyone who thinks it sounds a bit lame, have a look at the vid...

I do like the look of this and for something that you've become so positive about it seems great value. I know you say you can hand the gum out but is EVERYTHING examinable?

If not has this caused any issues or it is ok as the focus is on the gum?

Your comments would be much appreciated - thanks

I think it's unlikely that EVERYTHING is examinable... in the words of most magicians at some time or another, "what do you think this is, magic?!"

This looks like good visual magic - unfortunately I think it's 10 years too late! Very few people buy gum in sticks like that these days. I can't remember when I last saw Juicy Fruit even stocked! It's all specialist whitening gum in blister packs, or trident-style "folders" with stubby little sticks. Even good old tiny stacked nuggets of Extra are a bit retro now.

My apologies - As always 'communication is only as good as the response it elicits'. What I was aiming at was whether all tell tale signs were easily ditched.

Mark was kind enough to PM me to give clarity.

So 'Farlsborough' you must live in a very posh part of town as 'gum sticks' are rife in my part of the world - do agree that the use of such is diminishing but people will still recognise them so I do think the effect has some 'legs'.

I don't see much breathe freshening strips about but 'STRIP' gets good responses purely because people recognise the props.

I too am sceptical.

Granted I have only seen a performance of this online, not live... but to me, it really looks like the performer takes out the sticks with his rght hand, hold the packet with his left, and they remain in the exact same place!!

Maybe my eyesight is going as I approach my 30's but I have watched this over and over and I really cant see any magic going on!!

I ve just had this. The major problem is that the set up requires a pack of 5 stick juicy fruit that have the old style silver foil wrap and yellow paper sleeve on each stick. However Wrigelys now only do 10 packs of juicy fruit( not the end of the world) but these only have the silver foil wrapping on (major problem)
I contacted Wrigleys and they have confirmed that they no longer do the yellow sleeves in packs anymore which kind of makes this obsolete.

Thankfully the online store I got it from have been great ( not sure if I can mention them so better not) and offered me a credit when I return the item.