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Secrets of Improvisational Magic
by Justin Higham
Softback, 72 pages, size A5
Author publication
Reviewed by Alan Hudson
This is probably one of those booklets that will go unnoticed by most of the
magic fraternity. Partly because the writer, Justin Higham, is underground (and
by that I mean fairly unknown unlike other 'underground' magicians who are
amongst the biggest sellers in magic today). It might also go unnoticed because
at the moment it is only available through Justin himself.
However, I get the feeling it will get rediscovered in years to come and talked
about as a must have gem. Secrets of Improvisational Magic isn't a book
of tricks - although there are a few explained. It's more like an essay on how
to make your magic more personal by jazzing or making tricks up on the spot, due
to circumstances that present themselves. For instance, you might glimpse that a
forced card has been accidentally shuffled to the bottom of the pack as it's
been handed back to you. How many of us just get the card back to the top and go
with our intended effect? Here Justin explains how and why we should be more
alert and create more miracles with the unplanned nature of how things in our
performing environment crop up.
This is an easy read, with lots of practical examples and a wide range of quotes
from people such as Arthur Setterington to Benjamin Earl. Many reviewers say
things like 'I wish you hadn't released this as I want to keep all the material
to myself'. For me this is quite the opposite. I hope everyone reads it so we
can all create more miracles and keep the fun of performing magic alive.
Secrets of Improvisational Magic by Justin Higham. £12.50 plus £1-30 P&P. Or £1.85 surface worldwide and £2.30 airmail Europe £2.80 airmail rest of world. Available from the author at 4 Van Bern House, 83-85 Prince of Wales Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 3LY. Alternatively, via Paypal: justin_higham@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.card-magic.com
© Alan Hudson, May 2010