This is one of those tricks where some reviews say "rubbish" and others say "well...if you stick
with it its good" and seen as though there are none of the latter reviews posted yet, I thought I
would post one. This trick, no matter how simple, is absolutely flawless. It takes a little while to
get just right but once you have all the patter and showmanship down its really quite simple. The
effect itself is a reputation maker without a doubt and will be one of the "show us the touches
trick again" type. I would say this needs practice but there isnt actually anything to practice, as
long as your patter is just right and you get your helpers to do exactly what you want them to do
no-one will be any the wiser. This trick is often described as 'bold' because people think the
method is obvious and that you have to be brave to do it but being unsure about the trick will make
your audience aware that what you are about to do is a trick and that is not what you want, you want
them to believe that this is to do with the mind and psychology and therefore there is no trickery
to spot and by giving them this belief they wont TRY to spot anything, to do this the trick needs to
be done with absolute comfort and confidence. In other words, the more confident you are about doing
the trick the less likely it is to go wrong as it is with any other trick. Overall, brilliant.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
I had the pleasure of seeing Banachek perform this in person at a skeptics convention. He had a
crowd of doctors, lawyers, scientists, and magicians, uncomfortably trying to think of an
explaination for what they had just seen. It's not every day you see a performer who can completely
stump a CSICOP gathering; or, for that matter, a completely prop-less routine with that same
ability.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
I was highly sceptical when I first read the Method and put it away for a very long time. Then I
came back to it - and after re-reading in the intro that Richard Osterlind has said that very few
magicians would put any thought or time into it, I put some thought and time into it(!)
This is
really good and clever material, but people control is absolutely essential. This is not material
for the beginner, but for the experienced mentalist who absolutely makes the audience believe in
what he is doing and follows his commands. If you are still working with just "tricks" forget this,
it is not for you. If you are ready for the next level - try this and give it some considerable
thought: then, and only then, this is killer material!
3 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
One of the best Pk tricks around.If you can manage your audience well then this is the trick or
you.Highly recommended.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
This is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I still do this trick in my parlor show. This has
started a whole genre of PK Touches, but this is so practical that most PK touches routine begins
with this. To my understanding this is the Mother of all PK touches. I might be wrong, but I think
this is the case.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
This is the beginning OF PK Touches, but far from current, which is why it is only a 3 star. For
more of his work look at Banachek's Penguin Live. Morgan Strebler also just put out "Touched" which
dovetails nicely
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
I bought this book a while ago. This routeen is somewhere in my top five to perform. There are many
different ways to do this now , many with "gimmicks". Which I think is lame to use those gimmicks.
If you like to do magic where YOU are the magic and not some remote control device then this is the
version for you ! The book is well written. It is to the point and gets you going.
I will
admit. This version is 100% you. YOU have to sell it to make it work. You should be at the level
where you are very self assured in your presentation skill. And if you are not self assured, then
doing this experiment this way will get you there !
I currently use it in the beginning of
a hypnotist routeen segueing into a follow the cursed doll routeen. Great attention getter.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
Booklet is well thought out and concise. This effect has made it into the 'classic effect' genre.
Keep 'em comining, Mr. Banachek.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
The moment I received the book, I read it end to end twice, and studied the method and practised for
several hours before my first demonstration. While it killed and fooled everyone, I was able to see
why Banachek suggested lots of practise. You NEED to practise this well until you have developed a
flow, the patter and the timing etc. It is a beautiful and impossible effect.
I have always
looked up to Banachek as my benchmark for performance and ethos. If you feel that you are prepared
to practise, then this is for you. Even though I got away with it after 5 hours of straight
practise, I know it still needs work.
I agree with Banacheks friends, he should not have
released this effect. But I thank him for it. It has improved my skills and has improved my
knowledge. Of the fakery of psychics. A lot of psychics in my area do not know about Banachek and
have since accused me of fakery when I have educated people about their fakery.
This trick is a good trick, but it is not for beginners. The skill in this trick is in the
presentation. The person that is successful with this trick will have to be a good performer and
have a strong stage/presentation presents. ItÂ’s a great trick, but nor for the new, timid mentalists
or magician. It requires confidence!