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Evening gents, my very close friend got in contact with me late last week to ask for a favour, he knows I do magic ( well mental and mentalism) and he explained that he's going to be best man for a family wedding and thought it would be awesome ( his words) to present a magic trick of some sort to do with love.... And has asked me if I know a simple by entertaining trick for him to be able to perform.

I say I would help him, and I admit I did struggle with coming up with something to match the specification, but I eventually thought of a mental effect that could fit well, that being 'mr Saturday night' from andy my mans 'get nyman'. With obviously a different theme.

I was just wondering if you thought this would be an adequate effect, or if there was something more simple and magicky that he could perform.

Thanks.

no idea but for something to include in your speech to accentuate it then you cant go far wrong with the classic cut and restored rope.....

two people, show one piece of rope, sorry cut rope into two pieces..... decide to tie the knot, ( tie the knot)..... at first they fight for dominance, knot moves up and down rope, wink at couple as they look confused.... then they eventually realise their now both part of the same whole piece... slide knot off of rope and waggle as you say... see there knot tied to each other anymore.

cringe worthy I know but you'll be surprised how well it goes down.

I think that there are two problems with the Mr Saturday Night suggestion. The first is that it's a trick that really merits a good performance. Because the trick is a bit procedural, and takes a while to get to the end, it could drag in the hands of someone not used to performing.

The other thing is that, if the idea is about previous girlfriends or possible brides, you might want to tread carefully. Phoney old flames only, for example, and no real exes! I am not entirely sure it's quite right for a wedding (as opposed to a stag night/hen night), even if the groom ends up with the right woman at the end of the trick.

Could you teach your firend a simpler, but similar, trick using the "down under" (or "under down") force? Maybe dress it up as his heart's desire and he rejects a fast car, luxury holiday, piles of cash and day out with his favourite team, and is left with a photo of the bride. You could dress it up as "loves me, loves me not", to explain why an envelope is going under the pile or on the table. Unlike Andy Nyman's (great) trick,all your friend has to do is remember a very simple procedure and make sure one envelope is in a particular place at the start.

Thank you to you both for your suggestions,

@Part-timer , Thinking more about it, I understand the fault with 'mr Saturday night' as the trick to be performed, and I agree that something else would be more appropoate.

I suppose a nice funked up simple force would suffice, but am a bit embarrassed today that I'm not aware of the term 'down under force' :-s. or I just haven't heard that term before. But I like the idea around rejection of the grooms hobbies.

This is part of the message he sent to me, if its any more help to you all ......

I'd like to incorporate a simple magic trick, something I can do at the beginning as I talk a bit about love and makes some similarities with magic and how it is magic etc, possible make something disappear (like the buffet table? Ha ha, I joke of course!) but then could magically produce it at the end, perhaps from the grooms pocket or something, something small I could then give them as a gift.

Do you have such a trick and would it be possible to teach me? I am an absolute beginner with this so it would have to be easy(

To update,

I'm just about to about to purchase 'silk to rose' from practical magic, I thought this would a great trick and funny to produce to the bride, I just need need something now that involves the groom to finish 'the love story' off and hopefully untwined a gift.

naychandler1 wrote:I suppose a nice funked up simple force would suffice, but am a bit embarrassed today that I'm not aware of the term 'down under force' :-s. or I just haven't heard that term before. But I like the idea around rejection of the grooms hobbies.

It's the one where you have (usually) envelopes or cards and go through a selection process that involves alternately putting one card underneath the others (saving it) or ditching it on the table. The card/envelope either goes under (the remaining ones) or down (on the table). Depending upon which you start with, it's the down under or under down one! The key is that the objects really should be mixed first, as the force bit is pretty easy to work out. That arguably isn't an issue with a best man's speech, as it really is the effect that counts.

On the subject of an object being vanished and reappearing in someone's pocket, I am sure one of the magicians here can help with this. I think the issues to consider are what object could it be (this will dictate the nature of the vanish) and is the groom going to be in on it (which will make things a lot easier for everyone)? In these circumstances, I am not sure it's going to be possible to do an effect like that without the groom's knowledge, unless your lay friend is actually a master pickpocket on the side.

I am best man on Saturday.

I am expected to do magic but am keeping it short. I have got a couple of minuets speech ready then I have edited a video of the grooms antics over the last few years. (tasteful but still a bit embarrassing) lol

I am going to get the ushers to bring the video and screen into the room.

I am going to give him a choice whether I stop the speech there or he gets the video?

Then I am then going to say as I am such a good mate I will at least give him a chance to get away with it.

Then using the wonder lock with a prediction. (wonder lock is a perspex block with an envelope inside Padlocked together) a few keys will passed around the room and the groom gets to pick his first. He can have the option to change his mind anytime.

Of course then all spectators try to open the lock and no keys work. When I get to the groom and his key of course will open it. lol

When he reads the prediction is say's

PRESS PLAY

Thankyou part timer for your reply back

Lee smith - that's an incrredible idea with the use of that prop you have there, will go down excellent I'm sure !!!! Damn why didn't I think that

First thought that comes to my mind:

A 'Bank Night' style presentation using the bride and maybe just three envelopes (to keep it dead simple).

"So you turned down number 1, let's have a look, that was Brad Pitt. Oh well. Never mind. I'm sure you're not bothered. And you also turned down number 3, let's see what's in there, it's George Clooney. Ah well, that's okay, he's only rich and handsome, who needs rich and handsome? Let's see what's in the envelope you have chosen. Aha, it's *name of groom*!"

The photos of Brad and George should be them at their most gorgeous, while the pic of the groom should be as unflattering as you think you can get away with for maximum impact.

That said, it doesn't meet the 'vanish & reappearance' criteria, but I it's simple to do (Equivoque), you could really milk the reveal for laughs and the sentiment is good for the wedding (she chose her groom over other apparently more desirable options, they're meant to be together etc).

I'd say napkin to rose is the best idea so far, or anything similar. Anuything bank night-esque could look silly and drag on (unless the performer knows what he'd doing, like lee :p ).

Even a TT and a silk sounds like a not bad idea. Simple and visual...

I did mine on Saturday and pleased to say my idea went brilliantly (was so pleased) I reccomend it.

I did a couple if funny stories then the magic with the video.

Even tho a perform all the time I was pretty nervous as out my comfort zone. But couple if mins into it was loving it.

Glad it went well Mate.

I know what you mean about being out of your comfort zone though, as you know I perform on a very regular basis, but when I am performing to about 15/20 family members, with my cabaret act especially, it is completely different, not that I am particularly nervous, but it really is different.

Steve

Lots of tremendous suggestions here, so thank you , will give me more ideas to present my good buddy who's doing this.