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John Carey lecture
South Staffordshire Society of Magicians (3SM)
20th October 2008
Reviewed by Craig Petty
I had heard of John before this lecture but never had the pleasure of
meeting him before – I am glad to say that this has now changed. John comes
across as someone who thinks about his magic and the effects that he performs.
Each and every routine was well structured, great impact and above all
entertaining. The best way to describe the lecture was like a machine gun.
Rather than 3 or 4 effects explained and demonstrated John fired effect after
effect after effect at us in quick succession meaning that if there a particular
routine you were not personally into there would be another routine a few
seconds later that probably would take your fancy. In all honesty the scope and
depth of the man’s material amazes me. Although the lecture was heavily card
based there were a few coin items thrown in as well which I really appreciated
(thanks John!!). Let’s have a look at the items John lectured on:
One Coin Routine – John opened with a very nice one coin routine with
some really visual moments. The routine ended with a jumbo coin production. This
one was a real worker. I especially liked John’s coin production using Michael
Ammar’s Wiped Clean Transfer – GREAT THINKING.
Slow Motion Collectors – After a bare handed pack of cards production
John went on to perform the routine I know him for, his Slow Motion Collectors.
I first learnt this routine off the session DVD and it is great. I perform two
versions of collectors this and one by Paul Gertner and I really believe this is
better and probably the best Collectors routine since the original.
Card and Number Revelation – John then went on to totally fool me with a
card and number revelation where he cut to the number of cards I was just
thinking of. Apparently this is based on a Paul Cummins routine and I am sure
more people will be using the breather crimp thanks to John’s great routining.
John then went on to perform a really commercial routine done totally in the
hands where half the cards are face up and half face down. A card is selected
from the face down packet and held by the spectator and it invisibly flies into
the performers half (reverses of course). This was also a really great routine
and as I said – totally commercial.
Everybody’s Oil and Water – This routine was BRILLIANT and my favourite
card routine from the evening. Just six cards, no gaffs, no extras and really
baffling. I think I was not the only person at the evening who thought so based
on the applause he received.
Triumph – I have three or four Triumphs that I use so did not really get
anything from this routine but it was very nice especially the subtlety of
riffle forcing a reversed card to prove the decks condition without saying so –
great thinking again by John.
Triple Inpurseination - My favourite routine of the night was a coin item
(no surprise there then). This routine is BRILLIANT. The effect combines
spellbound with a coin flurry and a coins to purse as well as a coin production.
It has an instant reset, the routine is examinable at the end and has so much
magic hitting the spectators over and over again. If you have a chance to see
John perform make sure he shows you this routine, it’s a killer.
Copper Silver Transpo – This reminded be of a Tommy Wonder routine but
with streamlined handling. John’s had some really funny lines for this routine
and the effect was a worker as well. Another great coin item.
Thought of card Revelation – The spectator thinks of a card and thinks of
a number and the card is reversed that many cards down in the pack. This effect
could sell on its own for £10 to £15 easy. Very, very strong.
John also spent a lot of time talking about culling and the various effects
possible with the cull. It is obvious that John uses this move a lot in his
professional work and it shows.
Overall a great lecture. John is a great guy, very down to earth and was not
afraid to roll his sleeves up after the lecture and go over the stuff again and
again. If you can get hold of John’s lecture notes do so. A lot of the material
he lectured on is in there and it is the best £5 you will ever spend. I would
not like to be the next lecturer at the 3SM – he will have a lot to live up to.
© Craig Petty, October 2008