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The Mental Magick of Basil Horwitz
Vol 5
Illustrated by David Britland and
edited by Martin Breese
Hardbound
Reviewed by Dominic Twose
If you have any of Basil's other books, you will know exactly what to expect. At
58 pages, the book is thin and contains just eight effects. So the value of the
book entirely rests on the quality of these eight tricks - unlike many of the
compendiums available today containing hundreds of tricks, where you consider
yourself satisfied if you find a couple you really like. Like volumes 3 and 4,
this one is hard backed.
The effects include divining the spectator's zodiac sign, design duplication, and
a poker deal. This last may sound out of place in a book devoted to mental
effects, but bear in mind that the spectator chooses each card used from a full
deck. One I have used already - with great impact - involves identifying a card
the spectator has just mentally selected. (I find it works well in conjunction
with one of Bob Farmer's Tsunami variants - similar effect, completely different
method; those who have both will realise what I'm talking about).
Many of the effects have a body language theme, which can be entertaining and
convincing. One effect in particular - one of Basil's favourites - can result in
some very strong audience participation, and much laughter. While it is
suggested that a book on body language be bought to enable the performer with
confidence on the subject, a couple of pages here on the main themes would not
have gone amiss.
The effects rely on subtlety rather than complex sleight of hand or expensive
props: the props required here are minimal - pencils, elastic bands, playing
cards, ESP cards, and envelopes. All are fully described, and it is obvious from
the detail provided that Basil used them all, there are no pipedreams. At least
one was used to generate newspaper publicity.
Basil died in 2000, a sad loss for magic. As Andy Nyman says in his
introduction, he "has made a contribution to the art of mentalism that is as
important as that of either Annemann or Corinda." The book was edited by Martin
Breese. This probably explains the mildly irritating switch between tenses at
points - varying between "Basil has..." and "I have..."
The book has been beautifully produced and is clearly illustrated by David
Britland. Given the care that has gone into the quality, I found it
disappointing, on putting it on my shelf with the others in the series, to find
the spine had been printed upside down! Nonetheless, if you enjoy mental magic,
this book is highly recommended, as are the rest in the series.
Priced at £20.00, available from:
www.martinbreese.com
© Dominic Twosendy, January 2005