Magic Tricks

David’s lecture was a master class in creativity, structuring routines, and theater.

While teaching the routines, detailed below, David explained the “whys” of his choices and alternative performances by changing how he says a certain word or line.

The routines taught are within everyone’s skill level as far and mechanics, so all attention can be given to the audience and the performance of the pieces. The material ranges from intimate close-up to stage, but each piece can play in any venue.

The lecture was full of insights based on actual performance stories and Joe Diamond, David’s performance partner, was there to give some insight on some of the stories and how impactful the routines are.

This is a wonderful lecture, the material is fantastic and there is something here for most everyone. And David was a delightful and gracious teacher. This is on my list of top Penguin lectures.

Below are the routines taught with the ad copy descriptions in "", my comments follow.

Proof Positive "An impromptu mentalism effect with imaginary coins."
This is a wonderful effect, and impromptu. David created a wonderful version that combines Imagination Coins and Positive Negative. He teaches every nuance and goes through any possible issue that I could think of.

Swindle "A bill transposition from my book Brain Food."
This has been updated and the gaff has gone through evolution due to the changes in US currency.
This new version will work with any bill (US currency) regardless of color or foreseeable changes. The effect is logical, and easily fits in your wallet for anytime performance, and is suitable for close-up, parlor, platform, and even stage.

Fortune8 "A prediction effect with the folded paper toy known as a “cootie catcher”."
This is a perfect effect and item for psychic home parties and I am adding this into my repertoire. Note: This effect is explained and taught, it uses a paper item many of us made in grade school. But if you want the PDF to print it out, you will have to purchase David’s book Paper Prophecies. You don’t need this book, you can hand make the item, but the PDF in the book makes it so much easier. Also taught/explained was Thaumatrope: Described as “A fascinating toy from the 19th century visibly transforms to reveal the face of a selected card.” Which makes a great give-away. I suggest purchasing Paper Prophecies anyway, not only do you get the routines and printouts for Fortune8 and Thaumatrope, you also get a nice 7 Sins routine, and it is only $15.

Psilocation "A card is selected, shuffled back into the deck, and I’m able to find it while blindfolded."
Another packs small plays huge routine that can be done close-up, at the dinner table, parlor, or stage. David uses a guest to blindfold him and finds a selected card under what appears to be impossible conditions.

Oldest Trick in the Book "An origami bird is torn and then restored."
Gorgeous theater, you have to watch this one, which is all I will say, other than the audience gets another take-home piece. PDF is included with the lecture for this.

Dinner with the Borgias "Also from Brain Food, this is a twist on Bank Night. Three guests choose one of four goblets. They discover that their cups are “poisoned” while mine is the only safe one."
David’s signature piece and the most popular piece from his book Brainfood (although my favorite is Werewolf). This is beautiful theater, and like everything David presented, technically within the reach of any performer.