Although, like many of you, I am increasingly cynical about demo videos, the visuals for Tru looked amazing. So I was looking forward to writing this Tru review.
In case you’ve missed it (and I’ll post a video at the end of the review), Tru is a multiple phase rubber band penetration routine. First the rubber band appears to penetrate your finger. Then it does the same thing – but this time with a second rubber band securing the ends of your fingers making it even more impossible. Then it jumps back again. Then again – but with your hand the other way up. In the final phase it actually jumps from your finger to the spectator’s – even though your hands are secured together with another band.
Although the phases flow nicely together, in principle any of them could function as a stand-alone effect – which is great for practise purposes and even for increasing performance confidence. But there is a natural ‘build’ in the phases so they work together very well.
What’s in the (tiny) box?
You receive some Joe Rindfleisch ‘professional performance rubber bands’ – which certainly handle very nicely – though in principle you could use any rubber bands. You also get a link to the online instructions. At certain times I had some problems streaming these – but that may be down to my connection – since on other occasions they were fine.
The teaching consists of 1 hour and 12 minutes of instructions and is of excellent quality. Footage is well shot – from the performer’s perspective (which is very helpful for learning these kinds of moves). Explanations are very clear with multiple walk-throughs to aid learning. The last rubber band routine I learnt was the classic (and still wonderful) crazy man’s handcuffs – way back in the day – but I had no difficulty following the moves.
The explanations are peppered with detailed tips which indicate they are born out of years of performing the effect – this is without doubt a ‘worker.’
There are thoughts on performing with other things – the thick rubber bands so loved by the Royal Mail here in the UK or with borrowed hair bands. And wonderfully several of the phases can be done with a spectator’s headphones/ear buds instead!
An extra 15 minute bonus video promises to teach variations. It shows the routine as he originally performed it (with slightly different phases) and also another way of presenting it with the band partially under the table. For me this ‘bonus’ added little – I much prefer the routine as taught in the main section.
A Tru winner?
There is so much to like about this. It is incredibly visual and a very clear and direct effect. You will need to practise to get this down – but it is well within the sights of anyone prepared to take a little bit of time over it.
It has made me wonder why I don’t perform more elastic band magic. There is something incredibly innocent about using a rubber band and you get great reactions since there is so clearly nothing to be ‘gimmicked.’
If I had a tiny criticism it would be that I am almost certain that he is building on the shoulders of the work of others – and I didn’t notice any crediting at all. I am not familiar with the enormous body of rubber band magic which has been released in the last few years – but I would be very surprised if this was 100% original and unique. In fact, from memory, it feels a bit like a distant relative of an impromptu magic effect which appeared in lots of magic books for beginners. But don’t let that fact put you off – Menny has so refined and improved the method that it is much more visual and effective.
So Tru gets 2 big thumbs up from us. Or it would do if our thumbs weren’t currently wrapped in rubber bands while we practise…
Tru is available from MagicShop.co.uk for £22.99 (at the time of writing).
Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.
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