Price$40.00
Media TypeTrick, DVD
CategoryGeneral, Close Up, Mentalism
Date AddedApr 28, 2015
Horoscope
Congreave, Chris
Magic Tao
(Based on 3 reviews)
(DVD and Gimmick)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
I once attended a lecture by Wayne Houchin, who is one of my favorite creators. In that lecture he espoused, even a little bit of truth to the story adds so much to the validity of the presentation. Extrapolating that, I believe every mistruth detracts from the presentation as well. I am pretty sure I’m correct in the fact that the US magic market is probably the biggest market for magic sales. It always makes me wonder why magic makers, especially in the UK, decide to market a product indigenous to only their market. Why would they produce tricks whereby a performer here in the US would have to explain away (lie) as to where they got an unordinary prop like a foreign magazine page? Although this item was well produced physically, its dissimilarity to what we have here in the US screams magic prop to me.Effect
In a discussion of star signs and astrology a performer casually asks a participant their star sign. The performer just happens to have a page “torn” from a magazine with the horoscopes for the month and he has the participant read his horoscope. As it turns out, each horoscope has a lucky card as well. Guess what, the performer opens his wallet and just happens to have that very card in his wallet with the zodiac of the participant written across it.Method
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the horoscope page has been printed especially for this routine. There are two methods offered, one being a card to wallet style method and the other an envelope method. The Card to Wallet method will require a palm as usual and the envelope method just a push off beneath the envelope which will be helpful for those who do not have a Card to Wallet and fear a palm. The slight work involved to getting the card to the top is minor and should be in the realm of anyone who aspires to do card magic.Product Quality
The quality of the product is good. The prediction cards are jumbo pip Bicycle cards which gives you ample room to write the appropriate zodiac sign on each card. The magazine page although nicely printed is way oversized to what we have here in the US. Besides being oversized it is a much heavier stock which we never use here for magazines. The page is more of a small poster size type publication. Finally, the most glaring issue for me is the trip to Denmark advertised on the back in English Pounds.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy straddles the line of a bit of omission. The original routine requires a Card to Wallet which is not stated in the ad copy. The wallet required (due to the size of the page) is those big English style wallets nobody carries here in the US. In order to redeem themselves, one can use an envelope instead. Technically then, you would not need another prop to perform this as long as you don’t consider an ordinary birthday card envelope a prop.
Final Thoughts
I have a few issues with this release although they are more mine than the quality of the product. Two pages are provided, one serious and one comedy. My own opinion is that the manufacturer could have provided one page for the UK which would suit their market and another for the US which would have been more practical for us here on this side of the pond instead of having “a funny (not)” page as a second choice. Why should there be undue audience management trying to keep them from looking at the obviously out of place magazine page or lie about where I got it from? I think that major issue is an unnecessary distraction to the performance.Secondly, you will need a deck of cards dedicated to this routine, a card to wallet or an envelope large enough to fit this oversized sheet of paper. For me, this is too much to carry for an underwhelming effect. There are packet tricks that are more impressive than this.
(Top ▲)
This product is pretty typical of Magic Tao products, only a bit improved. It comes with everything you need to perform this right out of the box and there is a one-time set up of the cards included. In fact, if you use a different brand of cards, such as Phoenix or Tally-Ho or whatever your preference, you do not even have to use the included Bicycle cards, which are absolutely normal - you can make up the necessary props with any backs that you like.
The first few products of theirs that I reviewed had a DVD with good teaching and video but with audio quality that was all over the place, usually on the lower (read: crappier) end of the scale. I am happy to say that they have either taken to heart my word or that of other reviewers that have said the same thing, and made a great improvement. The audio on this disc was very good! The video quality and lighting are both still good. The menu is easy to navigate, you have an option to play all or chapter-by-chapter. If you view chapter-by-chapter, it returns you to the menu at the end of the chapter. The ad copy is 100% dead on - no fluff and no filler.
Fair warning: This disc is burned and not pressed so it may cause some issues for some, but it plays just fine. I am one of those that has a bit of an issue with burned DVDs - if I click play or go chapter by chapter and let it play through without interruption, I have no problems. If I try and pause it for a minute and go back to it, I can never get them to work. I have to take the disc out and put it back in, start over again. An annoyance at times but nothing to detract from the rating.
Again like most other Magic Tao DVDs, this one starts and ends aprubtly without fading into the first part or out of the bonus section at the end. Chris Congreave is a great teacher and explains everything very thoroughly with a guest at his side. He shows you what you get with your DVD, how to prepare them and how to set the effect up for performance. This is not hard at all to do and his main handling requires palming. If you are not keen on palming, he offers up a version that does not require it at all. He also teaches a few additional tips and a couple of additional hidden effects with the included magazine pages. Both are identical on the front, but the reverse is different - one gives you the option for a comedy presentation of the effect and the other is a straighforward and serious presentation. I loved the lines on the comedic version, but they will not be for everyone - I like the fact that they included two sheets to give you a choice.
Also included on this disc is a PDF file with horoscope images that you can print out on blank face cards, or you can print and paste them onto blank faced card as suggested. These files meant to be used with one of the bonus ideas on the disc
Overall this a great product that will play well for most audiences and is a great tie-in if you do cartomancy or any sort of horoscope work in your shows. It can be played as deep or as lightly as you like.
The first few products of theirs that I reviewed had a DVD with good teaching and video but with audio quality that was all over the place, usually on the lower (read: crappier) end of the scale. I am happy to say that they have either taken to heart my word or that of other reviewers that have said the same thing, and made a great improvement. The audio on this disc was very good! The video quality and lighting are both still good. The menu is easy to navigate, you have an option to play all or chapter-by-chapter. If you view chapter-by-chapter, it returns you to the menu at the end of the chapter. The ad copy is 100% dead on - no fluff and no filler.
Fair warning: This disc is burned and not pressed so it may cause some issues for some, but it plays just fine. I am one of those that has a bit of an issue with burned DVDs - if I click play or go chapter by chapter and let it play through without interruption, I have no problems. If I try and pause it for a minute and go back to it, I can never get them to work. I have to take the disc out and put it back in, start over again. An annoyance at times but nothing to detract from the rating.
Again like most other Magic Tao DVDs, this one starts and ends aprubtly without fading into the first part or out of the bonus section at the end. Chris Congreave is a great teacher and explains everything very thoroughly with a guest at his side. He shows you what you get with your DVD, how to prepare them and how to set the effect up for performance. This is not hard at all to do and his main handling requires palming. If you are not keen on palming, he offers up a version that does not require it at all. He also teaches a few additional tips and a couple of additional hidden effects with the included magazine pages. Both are identical on the front, but the reverse is different - one gives you the option for a comedy presentation of the effect and the other is a straighforward and serious presentation. I loved the lines on the comedic version, but they will not be for everyone - I like the fact that they included two sheets to give you a choice.
Also included on this disc is a PDF file with horoscope images that you can print out on blank face cards, or you can print and paste them onto blank faced card as suggested. These files meant to be used with one of the bonus ideas on the disc
Overall this a great product that will play well for most audiences and is a great tie-in if you do cartomancy or any sort of horoscope work in your shows. It can be played as deep or as lightly as you like.
(Top ▲)
PROS
This is a great, funny, horoscope theme effect that uses regular playing cards and what looks like a horoscope page cut from a magazine.
The effect can be done in a humorous way or a serious way. It comes with a serious horoscope page and a humorous horoscope page. Each horoscope page comes with a bonus effect on the back that is the Elephant in Denmark effect, but cleverly disguised as a travel ad for Denmark.
The props are good quality. The explanation is excellent. I really enjoyed watching Chris’ style and humor. Not only does he explain the effect well, he demonstrates very a good entertainment example.
The method is very clever.
I really like that this is a very clever horoscope routine without any special little horoscope cards.
CONS
It is important to note that the main presentation involves using a “card to wallet” wallet. In the explanation, he gives an alternative if you don’t want to use a gimmicked wallet. The alternative is very good, but I think the card to wallet version is stronger. In the suggestions section, I will describe what I think is a stronger alternative to the version that does not use a card to wallet.
VERDICT
One of the best horoscope theme effects. The effect doesn’t require it, but benefits greatly by using a card to wallet gimmick. If you don’t have one, I would strongly suggest “The Worker’s Dream” by Harry Robson. It has an excellent card to sealed envelope.
Another idea is to use decks of different color and they select a card of one color back and you produce a card of a different color back either out of your wallet or the alternative described below. If you use roughing fluid, you can show a regular deck face up
As for an alternative to the gimmicked wallet approach: They teach a very good alternative using an envelope. Here is another suggestion: Re-fold the horoscope page so the word “horoscope” is on the outside. Take out the folded horoscope page so the word “horoscope” is facing the audience, right side up. Set it on the deck of cards. Steal away the card under the horoscope page and set the deck aside as you say: “I cut this horoscope page from a magazine… Inside, I placed a playing card with a special message… just for you. No, seriously, this message is JUST for you. I know, a little creepy.“ Open the first flap and look inside as if looking for the card and not seeing it there. Open the bottom flap and “reach in” with your thumb inside the flap and the rest of your fingers holding the card underneath the folded horoscope page. Pull the card out, apparently from inside the folds of the horoscope and lay the card down face down on the table and mention that you will get to the card in a moment. The motivation for setting the deck aside is very natural, because you have to set the deck aside to unfold the horoscope page. Whether you use the envelope approach or this approach, you have to keep the motivation in mind. When you set the horoscope page on the deck of cards, it is important to hold the horoscope page on the deck of cards, say in your left hand, and point to it with your right hand as you say something like: “I cut this horoscope page out of a magazine.” You then switch the horoscope and hidden card to your right hand and set the deck down as you then open the folds of the horoscope page, looking for the card you placed inside as you say: “Earlier, I place a card from another deck with a special message… just for you.”
This is a great, funny, horoscope theme effect that uses regular playing cards and what looks like a horoscope page cut from a magazine.
The effect can be done in a humorous way or a serious way. It comes with a serious horoscope page and a humorous horoscope page. Each horoscope page comes with a bonus effect on the back that is the Elephant in Denmark effect, but cleverly disguised as a travel ad for Denmark.
The props are good quality. The explanation is excellent. I really enjoyed watching Chris’ style and humor. Not only does he explain the effect well, he demonstrates very a good entertainment example.
The method is very clever.
I really like that this is a very clever horoscope routine without any special little horoscope cards.
CONS
It is important to note that the main presentation involves using a “card to wallet” wallet. In the explanation, he gives an alternative if you don’t want to use a gimmicked wallet. The alternative is very good, but I think the card to wallet version is stronger. In the suggestions section, I will describe what I think is a stronger alternative to the version that does not use a card to wallet.
VERDICT
One of the best horoscope theme effects. The effect doesn’t require it, but benefits greatly by using a card to wallet gimmick. If you don’t have one, I would strongly suggest “The Worker’s Dream” by Harry Robson. It has an excellent card to sealed envelope.
Suggestions
This effect is great as explained. However, it seems to me that you could combine the strength of the humorous horoscope version with the appeal of the more serious horoscope version. He suggests in the DVD that with some people, you may not want to use the humorous horoscope page because some people take their horoscopes very seriously. In this case, you would pull out the serious page out of your wallet instead of the humorous page. The humorous page has a very glowing horoscope that you read and then you stop yourself and say that is your horoscope. You then read a very humorous and unflattering horoscope for them. The page has a different humorous and unflattering horoscope for each Zodiak sign. An alternative is to use the serious page and just pretend to read something very flattering for yourself and something unflattering for them. All you have to do is use the same flattering one for yourself and the same unflattering one for them every time. After you practice the effect a bit, you should have it down. Here is an example: “Let me read your horoscope. Let’s see: You are charming and witty. Your talents will lead to great success… wait. Sorry, that was my horoscope. What were you again? Libra? OK, let me read yours: Life will be a real challenge for you and your success will be quite limited. On the bright side, if you set your goals low, you won’t be disappointed.” This should elicit a good laugh and then you can read their real horoscope. This way, you cover both bases with everyone. For the person who doesn’t really believe in horoscopes, they had a good laugh. For the person who takes them serious, you leave them with a genuine horoscope reading.Another idea is to use decks of different color and they select a card of one color back and you produce a card of a different color back either out of your wallet or the alternative described below. If you use roughing fluid, you can show a regular deck face up
As for an alternative to the gimmicked wallet approach: They teach a very good alternative using an envelope. Here is another suggestion: Re-fold the horoscope page so the word “horoscope” is on the outside. Take out the folded horoscope page so the word “horoscope” is facing the audience, right side up. Set it on the deck of cards. Steal away the card under the horoscope page and set the deck aside as you say: “I cut this horoscope page from a magazine… Inside, I placed a playing card with a special message… just for you. No, seriously, this message is JUST for you. I know, a little creepy.“ Open the first flap and look inside as if looking for the card and not seeing it there. Open the bottom flap and “reach in” with your thumb inside the flap and the rest of your fingers holding the card underneath the folded horoscope page. Pull the card out, apparently from inside the folds of the horoscope and lay the card down face down on the table and mention that you will get to the card in a moment. The motivation for setting the deck aside is very natural, because you have to set the deck aside to unfold the horoscope page. Whether you use the envelope approach or this approach, you have to keep the motivation in mind. When you set the horoscope page on the deck of cards, it is important to hold the horoscope page on the deck of cards, say in your left hand, and point to it with your right hand as you say something like: “I cut this horoscope page out of a magazine.” You then switch the horoscope and hidden card to your right hand and set the deck down as you then open the folds of the horoscope page, looking for the card you placed inside as you say: “Earlier, I place a card from another deck with a special message… just for you.”