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Inscrutable DVD set by Joseph Barry
Reviewed by Quentin Reynolds
Since
the Elmsley count was introduced in the mid-fifties there has been a trend to
add moves and counts to card magic, as well as complicating the effect to such
an extent that a layman will be unable to describe what happened.
Some modern published routines are more akin to lessons in juggling than lessons
in magic. I will call this the new school of card magic which has given birth to
the move monkeys.
The old school of card magic (as I would describe it) had clear direct effects
that were easy to understand and had a good, surprising climax. Most importantly
the magician appeared to do nothing. The magic just happened.
The old school was influenced by people like Erdnase and Victor Farelli amongst
others and their influences are found in later classics like Royal Road, Expert
Card Technique and Greater Magic.
Can you name a card DVD or book published in the last ten years that does not
include ace assemblies, collector or sandwich tricks, multiple false counts etc?
Difficult, yes?
Well, here is one ....
Inscrutable is definitely old school. Strong direct effects that will fool
magicians and laymen. And most of them are technically easy to do. Easy
technically, yes (though there are some advanced techniques on Disc 2), but they
do require audience management skills and a confident performer. Advanced
beginner and upwards.
Joseph’s routines remind me of the direct presentations of Dani daOrtiz,
frequently mixing devilishly simple methods to create miracles. Yet their styles
are completely opposite. Dani is extrovert and in your face. Joe is quiet and
unassuming. Yet both use their personalities and characteristics to maximum
effect.
If you have seen disc 3 of Dani’s DVD set you will find some similar work on
Disc One of Joe’s set. By studying both you will see two contrasting styles use
similar methods and help you develop your own natural rhythm.
So what of the routines? Most are done from a shuffled deck in use - and
shuffled by the audience too. A few require a set-up, most times you can do this
in a previous trick or during down-time.
My favourite is the Math trick. From a shuffled (by the audience) deck you deal
some cards in front of three participants. They each decide how many they get.
You then toss small bunches of cards onto the table until someone shouts STOP.
These are now counted, by you or an audience member. You announce that the total
number of counted cards will equal the sum of the top cards of the three piles.
These cards are turned over and their values added. The totals match. To a
layman this appears totally impossible. This routine would work well with the
effect where a participant cuts the deck in three piles, you turn over the top
cards of two of the piles and can deduce the value of the top card in the third
pile.
Disc Two features a number of gambling routines and demonstrations. Some are
simple in method and some require advanced skills. All are direct and best
suited for sitting down around a table with clients after a gig.
The downside for a working professional is that most of the routines require a
table. Most close-up pros prefer routines that can be done in the hands both for
strolling and visibility reasons. Having said that I have a number of routines
that require minimal table space and a few others that do require more space.
The latter I keep until after the meal when tables are less cluttered.
Aged thirteen, young Master Barry bought, at a local bookshop, Expert at the
Card Table, Expert Card Technique and Scarne on Card Tricks. These were his only
influences for the next few years and their theories and advice permeate through
his work.
I highly recommend this two DVD set, for the overall directness of effects and
the devastating miracles you will create for your audiences.
Available from
www.alakazam.co.uk and all good dealers
© Quentin Reynolds, March 2013