Chris's lecture at Murphy's was one of the funniest I have ever seen. Chris Mayhew is well known for hilarious yet knuckle busting card magic, and he definitely delivered in this lecture. He opened with a hilarious comedy rope routine (with an invisible deck ending) that had me in stitches, it was a great example of Mayhew's comedic and chaotic style. He covered some great card material, as well as a linking safety pins routine which was killer. He is a great teacher and Mike Hankins did a great job hosting the lecture.
Here are my thoughts on a few of the effects/routines taught:
Mediumph - this was a "really medium" skill level triumph that happens in the spectators hands. It gives motivation to the routine and it's moves, and it is really powerful. I have been collecting different versions of it for different scenarios (my favourites being Back In Time by Jay Sankey, Triumph v136 by Ben Train, Pierre's Triumph by Pierre-Marie Lazaroo and now this one!). I will be using this when I get the chance to, it is great.
Safety - Chris's linking pins routine (released on Ellusionist as a download), this is a three phase routine that uses ordinary safety pins and everything is examinable at the end. This has some really nice visual elements to it, and you can use this on a daily basis (just throw two safety pins into your wallet or pin them to your shirt). Great stuff.
Lazy Rise (Ambitious Card routine) - Chris covered his ambitious card routine and gave his theory on the plot (regarding how many phases, etc.). He taught his "lazy rise" in which a card is outjogged and single handedly - with a shake - moves up the pack. This happens multiple times until it ends up on the top of the deck. The move is knacky, but compared to Raise Rise, it is a breeze. It just takes a little work to get it looking smooth, I will definitely be working on this move. Chris' ambitious card routine is three phased and short, sweet and to the point.
The Running Man - Chris taught an impromptu Anniversary Waltz style effect, the difference being one spectator signs the face of their card - the other signs the back of theirs and impossibly, the signature jumps from one card to the other, leaving them with a possible souvenir. I liked how Chris separates the two packets, which high tens the possibility. The signature jump is really visual too, which I loved.
This was an insightful and valuable lecture in the At The Table series. Chris was funny, enjoyable and a really great teacher. These card routines are really powerful and all of them are workable (maybe not his "fake routine" but hey, you never know). If you like your card magic (like I do), pick this up (as I did), and you won't be disappointed (I certainly wasn't). 10/10
At The Table schedule:
http://www.murphysmagic.com/atthetable
Watch the first 20 minutes free:
http://www.murphysmagic.com/free20
Here are my thoughts on a few of the effects/routines taught:
Mediumph - this was a "really medium" skill level triumph that happens in the spectators hands. It gives motivation to the routine and it's moves, and it is really powerful. I have been collecting different versions of it for different scenarios (my favourites being Back In Time by Jay Sankey, Triumph v136 by Ben Train, Pierre's Triumph by Pierre-Marie Lazaroo and now this one!). I will be using this when I get the chance to, it is great.
Safety - Chris's linking pins routine (released on Ellusionist as a download), this is a three phase routine that uses ordinary safety pins and everything is examinable at the end. This has some really nice visual elements to it, and you can use this on a daily basis (just throw two safety pins into your wallet or pin them to your shirt). Great stuff.
Lazy Rise (Ambitious Card routine) - Chris covered his ambitious card routine and gave his theory on the plot (regarding how many phases, etc.). He taught his "lazy rise" in which a card is outjogged and single handedly - with a shake - moves up the pack. This happens multiple times until it ends up on the top of the deck. The move is knacky, but compared to Raise Rise, it is a breeze. It just takes a little work to get it looking smooth, I will definitely be working on this move. Chris' ambitious card routine is three phased and short, sweet and to the point.
The Running Man - Chris taught an impromptu Anniversary Waltz style effect, the difference being one spectator signs the face of their card - the other signs the back of theirs and impossibly, the signature jumps from one card to the other, leaving them with a possible souvenir. I liked how Chris separates the two packets, which high tens the possibility. The signature jump is really visual too, which I loved.
This was an insightful and valuable lecture in the At The Table series. Chris was funny, enjoyable and a really great teacher. These card routines are really powerful and all of them are workable (maybe not his "fake routine" but hey, you never know). If you like your card magic (like I do), pick this up (as I did), and you won't be disappointed (I certainly wasn't). 10/10
At The Table schedule:
http://www.murphysmagic.com/atthetable
Watch the first 20 minutes free:
http://www.murphysmagic.com/free20