Big Revelation
Dobson, Wayne
Alakazam UK
Wayne has come up with a winner that you will be sure to use time and time again.
You ask a spectator to THINK of ANY card in a deck (no force of any kind). You remove from your pocket a piece of paper showing a list of card values (no suits) which you ask them to concentrate on. You unfold the paper claiming that you can reveal the identity of the thought of card by asking a series of questions. A series of gag answers is then given to the spectator upon each new unfolding of the paper until you finally name the card that was merely thought of in the beginning.
To take the effect one step further you open the paper for one final time and there are a series of cards printed in a random scattering across the page. A second spectator is asked to glance over the cards and think of one. You then proceed to name the card that is being thought of by the second person.
This effect is easy to do, comes complete with props and an instructional DVD outlining the routine.
If you are looking for strong, commercial, fun and easy to do effect that packs a punch, The Big Revelation by Wayne Dobson is the one you're looking for!
Ideal for close up or stage!
Comes complete with Instructional DVD and High Quality Full Colour prop
Reviews
(Top ▲)
While my work with the Magic & Mystery School is to help create great magicians, my goal here at My Lovely Assistant is to just provide honest reviews. With that in mind, this is a brilliant "worker" from one of the comic geniuses of our time.
To begin with, the method is almost impossibly simple. Keep in mind that this is a stage-sized card effect that doesn't even require a deck of playing cards!
I think the only problem with this effect is that it should come with a warning. If you really have not studied comedy and comedic timing, this routine will most likely either fall flat or just prove to your audience that you should be taking some classes in comedy.
(Top ▲)
For $20 bucks you get a cool prop, a great presentation, and a not-as-thorough-as-it-should-have-been DVD.
I like this effect, and I'm working it into a show I'm putting together. As many of you know, I'm picky, very picky about my repertoire.
However, just because I like it doesn't mean you will. So first, watch the trailer. The effect is pure and clean and funny and goes down exactly as you see in the trailer. The ad copy is 100% accurate including the part where it says that it includes " . . . an instructional DVD outlining the routine" (emphasis mine). That's pretty much all you get is an outline. I was very disappointed in the "educational" portion of this DVD. The best part, in my opinion, is the performance that you see if you select "play all." It's the same guy as in the trailer, but it's a different setting with different spectators.
If you try to get to the performance by clicking on "chapters" and then clicking on "performance," you'll get the in-studio walk-through "performance" from a different guy. The "instructions" are more like an "expose." There's very little detail, and no presentational ideas to speak of.
It definitely presumes a certain level of knowledge of magic. The run time is about 10 minutes. It could have easily been a much better DVD with just 5 or 10 more minutes to explain things a little better and offer some presentational ideas. For example, the version you see in the trailer is not taught. Those in the "know" will of course recognize what "special" deck was used to accomplish that effect. However, if you purchased the DVD with the intent to learn that version and you're not aware of that particular deck of cards, you'll be disappointed.
A lot of people doubt me when I say that I've given good reviews to products I would never use, and that I've given not-so-good reviews to products I would use. This is particular review is proof of the truth of that statement. The prop itself (the folded piece of paper) is very good quality and well made, no doubt about it. However if you're a newbie to magic, you won't be able to do the version shown in the trailer. Plus the overall educational section is quite lacking in many ways. If you have your own ideas on how you would use this prop, then definitely get it. You won't be disappointed. It's good quality and well made and it is 100% self-contained. You don't need a deck of cards at all. You only need this prop. With it you can do 2 "think of a card and I'll read your mind" effects.
If however, you're looking to do the effect shown in the trailer, you'll be disappointed unless you know about the special deck used, and you'll be given a brief expose of how the prop works.
Final Verdict:
2.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Grubble (Part Gem: Excellent Idea, Part Rubble: Poorly Taught).
(Top ▲)
This routine requires two very difficult skills. One is comedic timing in your script. The other is a verbal technique used often in mentalism.
This can look like just guessing or worse yet, narrowing, if not handled well. I’m not sure some of the men who perform this effect on the DVD are the most skilled at this technique. It is a hard technique that I’ve also had trouble pulling off in some effects.
However, once those two are mastered, I think you have a decent mental card effect for stand up work. It’s not the BEST mental card effect ever created, but it’s solid, and handled correctly could be very deceptive.
While I think it’s overpriced, I think in the right hands this could be effective. For those starting out in comedy magic, I’d say stick with the classic Insurance Policy for less than five bucks. If you have experience in this area and like this effect you will probably be satisfied in your purchase.