TOP 5 DVD PICK
TRICKS! The Magic of David Regal
David Regal is one of the most likable performers I’ve ever seen. He seems to be one of the few performers who can get away with scripting his routines without sounding like a robot. And, while he’s got a path planned, he’s not afraid to stray from that path in order to remain in the moment with his audience. This is refreshing since many magicians seem do magic “at” the audience rather than “with” them. This is not the case with David. That’s because he cares enough about them to constantly think of the magic from their perspective.
He also cares enough about them to use every tool in his magic toolbox in order to entertain them. The method is not his first priority; it is all about the effect. Stacks, gaffs, misdirection, swindles, sleight-of-hand… it doesn’t seem to matter to David. His ‘take no prisoners’ approach to the creative process means he isn’t afraid to go the extra mile… or two… or ten to make sure he fools them to the best of his ability.
Cheating- This is a twisting routine with a spectator’s named four-of-a-kind. The cards turn over one at a time. Then, they turn to Jokers. Finally, they transform into the four Kings. David reaches into his pocket to remove two of the original four-of-a-kind. The other two are found reversed in the deck on the table.
Everywhere- The spectator selects a card and returns it to the middle of the deck. The card is instantly revealed on top. The magician tables the card. Instantly it is found in the middle of the deck. This card is also tabled. Now it appears as the bottom card which is also tabled. The magician continues finding duplicates of the selected card and placing them into a pile on the table. Finally, the card is pulled from the magician’s back pocket. The cards on the table are turned over: they have transformed into a run of Hearts from Ace to King, in order.
Deep Guilt Aces- This is exactly what I was referring to when I said that David will stop at nothing to fool his audience. In effect, a spectator cuts the deck into four piles. The top card of each pile is turned over; they are the four Aces. No switches or funny handlings; the spectator cuts and the spectator turns over each card. It is that clean.
Self Evident- This is probably my favorite effect on the set. The spectator cuts off about half of the deck. Holding the deck face up, he deals cards onto the table one at a time, stopping whenever he wants. The backs of all of the cards are shown to be blue backed. The card the spectator selected is turned face down; it has a red back.
The Half Deal- After a demonstration of a bottom deal and second deal, David has a spectator sign the back of a card. The card is placed on top of the deck and he talks about a curious move called the half deal. With that, he deals the ink off of the card into his hand. It looks like a clear sheet of acetate printed with the design of a playing card. The card is restored and handed to the spectator for examination.
Cups & Balls & Cups & Balls- David has a very interesting take on the cups and balls. He begins with a demonstration using the old Adams red, yellow, and blue cups as he recounts his first encounter with the trick as a child. He puts the cheap cups away and talks about how as an adult he has upgraded to the brass cups. He continues the routine with the fancy cups. For the finale, He produces large loads as usual, but he also produces the Adams cups and balls from his childhood. Large loads are produced from the Adams cups as well. The routine requires some special props to be made, but the final loads are quite unique.
These are just some of my favorites from the set. There are plenty of other items that are worthy of your attention. There are tricks with cards, coins, strings and beads, bills, and rings. There is much more variety than is offered on most magic DVDs, but most of the routines do use cards. David’s performances are entertaining and the explanation portion is expertly done. You won’t be disappointed.
Highly recommended.
-Available from Vanishing Inc. Magic
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