Magic Tricks

One of the first Penguin DVDs I ever bought, Sponge with Jay Noblezada, has been in my everyday carry for over 15 years. If sponge balls are part of your work, Davide Fragione’s lecture is a must-watch.

His thinking is clever, modern, and full of practical touches. On top of the four fully fleshed-out routines he teaches, I came away with three or four new ideas of my own, plus multiple upgrades to effects I already perform.

He shares some really clever and practical ways to carry sponge balls discreetly, so you’re always ready to perform without bulky pockets or obvious setups. These tips are simple but smart, and they make a big difference when performing in real-world conditions.

His work on retention vanishes alone is worth the price of the lecture. He teaches four different versions, along with several false transfers that look absolutely convincing. His “pop” production is a highlight: quick, surprising, and perfect for producing a ball onto a spectator’s hand or from your sleeve.

And The Upside Down Catapult is brilliant. It’s nearly invisible on camera, which means in person it’s going to fry people. It takes some practice, but the payoff is huge. This one move opens the door to real miracles.

I’ve used five black sponge balls for the last 10 years, but this lecture got me rethinking that and actually adding a contrasting color. Davide’s use of color isn’t just visual, it’s strategic. That shows how deeply he’s thought through every aspect of this material.

The only minor downside is that he performs a beautiful color change that isn’t explained, and there’s a trick shown in the trailer that doesn’t get a full breakdown. He covers the core technique behind it, but I would’ve loved to see the whole routine. Still, these are small things in an otherwise incredible lecture.

This is one of the best sponge ball resources I’ve seen in years. Everything is smart, visual, and practical. If you use sponge balls at all, this will inspire you, challenge you, and absolutely improve your work.