Volition is the latest release from the clever mind of Steve Cook. Steve has a knack of knocking out simple but fooling mental effects – let’s take a look at this one and see how it turns out.
The effect
This is really the classic ‘bank night’ effect with coloured envelopes. A spectator mixes up four envelopes and deals them out. Yet the magician always gets the money. Or the funny message. Or whatever you want. It really is that hands off and that straight forward.
What do you get?
Two sets of coloured envelopes in two different sizes, and some blank card stock for writing your messages on. You also get a DVD which includes some pdfs for printing various possible messages you might use in the routine and variations, and about half an hour of teaching.
The teaching is very clearly shot though I had a few tiny lip-synch issues – this is odd more than frustrating! The whole thing is nicely packaged in a neat cardboard DVD sleeve.
The teaching
The DVD covers Steve Cook’s original routine, and variations by Peter Nardi and others. The principle is almost embarrassingly simple – but don’t let that put you off. The best ideas are always the simple ones.
The simplicity of the method means you can also easily come up with variations on the theme. The ideas on the DVD will get you started, but I’m sure you will quickly think of others. Of the ones on the DVD, I particularly liked the ESP variation which somehow adds a further level of obfuscation to the procedure.
Final thoughts
One of the nice things about Volition is that several of the variations taught avoid that common issue with Bank Night routines – where it turns into a bit of an ‘I’m cleverer than you’ routine where you get the big win. And as usual with Alakazam releases your purchase also gives you access to online updates and extra ideas. In this case, it already includes a couple of extra presentation ideas from Steve Cook.
I’m not yet certain I have the final presentation I will use on this, but think that with a little thought Volition could become a very entertaining and puzzling routine – just the kind of magic I love. So this is well worth a punt.
Volition is available from MagicShop.co.uk for £24.50 (at the time of writing)
Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.
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