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Andrew Normansell: The Man Who
Would Be King
by Andrew Normansell
Edited
by Graham Hey and Mark Leveridge
137 pages, softback, colour covers
Reviewed by Al Smith
Physically this book resembles the Wayne Dobson's
WD40, published by the same
firm. It’s an interesting work, divided into three parts; one part tricks, two
parts other stuff. For some the inclusion of “other Stuff” is likely an
off-putter, but what can you do.
The first of the “other stuff” is an entertaining autobiographical sketch (very
sketchy), edited by Graham Hey. The second part of the “other stuff” is called
The Devil’s Advocate and is a collection of opinions and viewpoints. Since
nobody fully agrees with anybody, there’s bound to be a heady mixture of head
nodding agreement and head shaking disagreement among readers. However, the
points made will likely do their job and make nodders and shakers of all
persuasions at least think a bit.
The trick stuff is made up of 28 routines; the editorial hand at work in this
segment of the book is Mark Leveridge—along with Graham Hey one of the board of
control at magicseen.
These routines are all very practical and are constructed very much in the Tony
Griffith manner. Practical, direct and commercially proven material with the
emphasis on simplicity of effect. I’ve seen Andrew lecture and know that the
stuff works. More than that I’ve worked a couple of close-up strolling gigs with
him and know from first hand experience that what he advocates in the book he
puts to good use in the (jargon alert) real world.
If I have one crib it’s the over-brief description of some of the moves
mentioned in the text. They’re all basic and are fully available in numerous
sources, but I think it would have rounded the book off nicely had more
comprehensive descriptions been included. And preferably with Andrew’s thoughts
and observations on exactly how he uses them.
Overall a good effort from both publisher and author.
£20.00 from www.magicseen.co.uk
or direct from Andrew Normansell at King
Entertainments, Suite 427, Great Northern House, 275 Deansgate, Manchester M3
4EL
© Al Smith, April 2009