Wow; awesome new principal for stage trick

[BlindDodo]

Ok basically I just rediscovered this idea in an old magic book. It's amazing and has limitless possibilities.
Here's the basic effect:

An envelope is suspended above the stage throughout the show, held on a long piece of string spanning the stage. At the end of your piece, you draw attention to it and ask someone to name a card, and a different person to name a word (this really can be anything but here i will use the classic example of thought-of card and word).
You pull up a chair and stand on it to reach the envelope (it is too high to reach otherwise, eliminating the idea of any tampering) and cut it down. With the envelope remaining in full view the entire time, you reach in and pull out a single playing card, asking an onstage spectator to verify that the envelope contains nothing else. you show the card (no switches – remains in full view) and it is the very one the spec. named, WITH the chosen word written clearly across the face.

The best part is there are no moves! I can't wait to find a good presentation for this and try it out.

[benpmagic]

Sounds like an amazing trick. Try presenting it by hanging the envelope between two trees/ lampposts. When someone asks u what u r doing you show them the trick.

[dudaxan]

Don't you want to reveal this for us? ;)

[magick]

Sounds like an amazing trick. Try presenting it by hanging the envelope between two trees/ lampposts. When someone asks u what u r doing you show them the trick.

thats not the presentation...that is staging....

the presentation is what you say while you perform the effect.

[BlindDodo]

Sounds like an amazing trick. Try presenting it by hanging the envelope between two trees/ lampposts. When someone asks u what u r doing you show them the trick.

That's not a bad idea... but it wouldn't work. This method only works in a classic stage setting. Which is a shame, but it's still a damn good method.


I'm still working on a decent presentation. It's hard because with a method so open like this there are just limitless possibilities. I think I might go for a Derren Brown style suggestion piece. I've got a show coming up in a few weeks and I'll try it for that if I have time to get it sorted. I'll let you know how it goes. Who knows, I might even tell you how to do it ;)

[ntroberts]

Well, if you're not going to reveal it, could you at least name the old magic book you got it from? Thanks.

[BlindDodo]

Well, if you're not going to reveal it, could you at least name the old magic book you got it from? Thanks.

It's from a shitty kids magic book called "Pocket Magic" by Peter Eldin.

If you do find this book then don't expect real magic. It would appear to an audience exactly as I described it, but the method is neither big nor clever. But hey, it's the effect that counts, right?

[ntroberts]

Ah, I think I can figure out where this is going. Thanks anyway! :)

[Sleight.Of.Magic]

This is a nice effect, it is still done nowadays, derren brown as used a actualized version on some stage shows.
This is done on stage, and an assistance load the predition to the back of the chair, keep the envelope in front of it and act as taking off the card or predition.
This is now done some times with a box, you them place it in a special table that loads the predition inside the box, and inside a clear cilinder.

[EmergencyMagician]

It's kind of sounds like Copperfield's Graffiti. I've tried for years to figure out how he does it and every time I think I get close...I fail! If anyone knows the method to this trick...please let me know.

[magick]

It's kind of sounds like Copperfield's Graffiti. I've tried for years to figure out how he does it and every time I think I get close...I fail! If anyone knows the method to this trick...please let me know.
there is an assistant off-stage making a duplicate picture. then it is switched for the prediction that has been in full view.