Win a free copy of Hocus Pocus
Drawing on May 1st, 2024
Details

BLAZE

Tony & Jordan

French Twins

(Based on 1 review)
"I keep an eye on these TWINS... And you should do the same!"
David Stone.

Les French TWINS
present: THE MOST VISUAL BURNT SIGNED CARD EVER!

BLAZE:
Create an amazing souvenir with the spectator's signed card.
The spectator chooses a card, signs it and he ignites the box.
The box is completely burnt...
But no card is burnt except the SIGNED card!

MONOGAMISH: A very powerful and romantic routine about feelings.
A modern mentalism routine with a couple in love!

BOUM: Perform BLAZE on stage with a Firecracker to create an extremely visual effect for your audience!

EASY TO DO - VISUAL - COMPLETELY EXAMINABLE

Reviews

Stuart Philip

Official Reviewer

Dec 24, 2015

Blaze is an exciting new trick that grabs attention and makes unforgettable memories. Blaze uses the same gimmick for three variations of a very clever trick. The creators are Tony and Jordan, young French twins (if I were to guess, I would say they are 18 years old) who are witty performers, funny and entertaining.

The first trick, Blaze, needs one spectator and can be performed with a group of onlookers. The spectator picks a card by calling "stop" when the performer is dribbling the cards. The spectator signs the face. The signed card is placed in the middle of the deck and all cards are placed in the card box. A piece of “tissue” paper (aka flash paper) is lit and thrown at the card box and the box is now shown to have been burned on both sides. Two large holes on each side of the box! The cards are removed and you can see right through the box. Then the cards are inspected and all of them are fine, except one. There is only one burned card and it is the spectator’s signed card, which is removed from the middle of the deck. And, not only is it burned and smokey on both sides, but it is really damaged by fire and it is impossible.

The trick is presented in a high quality movie-like presentation and production quality. It is almost has the feel of a Woody Allen movie and it is extremely well done. This movie (and there are 2 others for the other two effects) sets the gold standard for promotional presentational entertainment videos. I am hoping for a sequel.

There are also 2 strolling performances in which the twins present Blaze to various pedestrians. The performances are in English and the effect and the reactions are very strong. If you look closely in one of the street performances, you can see a bit of the method due to the camera angle, which is not something that would have been seen by a spectator because the camera is in a place that the spectator's eyes would not be. There are no significant angle issues to be aware of when performing, but there is the need for misdirection and two moves. The misdirection is provided by the presentation and it is as distracting as can be… don’t forget this routine uses flash paper.

The trick is not difficult, but will require a bit of practice for beginners. All others will hit the ground running pretty quickly.

The explanation for the one-time set-up and the each-performance prep is well taught, in English, by the twins. The one time set-up will require you to burn something well in advance of the performance. You will also need something extra, card wise for every performance. The set-up for each performance will also require you to burn some things in advance. Some of the instructional tracks are a bit disjointed and get cut off, but nonetheless all the explanations are clear and understandable.

The second trick, Monogamish, needs 2 spectators. The trick requires one spectator to choose one card from a downward fanned deck on a table. The card is openly displayed and the spectator’s name is written on the back by the performer. The first card is apparently placed in the box which is visibly protruding from the magician’s outer jacket upper pocket. The second spectator then chooses a card from the downward fanned deck. Their name is also written on the back, but the card is not revealed at that time. The twins discuss how they can feel each other’s pain and have a mystic connection. After the patter, the second card is shown to be the mate of the first card. Then, the second card is burned by a candle, just slightly. When the signed mate is removed from the box, it is shown to be burned too. The mates feel each other's pain. It is possible to have smoke emanate from the pocket, but that will require the use of another separately sold expensive gimmick. This presentation is shot in the highest movie quality and again, it should be the gold standard for what magic videos should show.

The explanatory video is done by the twins, seated at a table, and requires more of a set than Blaze. Accordingly, that the cards in this routine are closely controlled by the performer. This trick also requires a bit more sleight of hand and card handling than Blaze, but it is really strong. This trick has a greater likelihood of failing than Blaze due to the selection method, but any performer will know how to work around such an issue.

The third trick, Boum, is also presented in a fantastic movie-like short. Here, a card is selected and signed in the same manner as Blaze and is returned to the tuck box and dropped into a paper bag. A "firecracker" is lit and thrown into the bag. It appears as if a flash paper flash of light appears and then the box is removed from the bag. Like Blaze, the box has holes burned on both sides into it and the selected card is removed from the middle of the other cards. No other cards have been burned, except for the signed card. This routine is not fully thought out, nor is it fully explained. The video is a bit misleading since the “firecracker” does not blow up and instead it appears as if some flash paper is ignited once it is in the bag. No explanation is given for what is used in the stead of an actual firecracker. Also, you don’t want to throw anything that is on fire into a brown paper bag. This video, explanation and routine seems like a throw-away and the DVD is very strong without it. It is essentially a weaker and poorly explained version of Blaze.

The promotional video is accurate, but the ad copy claims that Blaze is the “most visual burnt signed card ever!” That is a bit of puffery and also a bit of reality. I do not agree with the claim that it is “completely examinable.” Some aspects of the presented tricks are completely examinable and others are not. Sometimes the explanatory videos are not as audible and clear as they should be, but that is ok. The DVD comes with a Bicycle card box and some gimmicks. One gimmick that comes with the DVD is optional and every performer will decide if they want to use it or not. It is not necessary and may overcomplicate the very strong and direct method. The arts-and-crafts required will take you between 5 and 10 minutes and is very easy to do.

This trick can be repeated soon after performance, but you will have to be prepared in advance.... nothing that can be done in the bathroom or in the corner of a restaurant or gig.

I highly recommend this astonishing trick.
(Top ▲)