So here’s a quick plug for an unusual offer from Mike Danata’s Magic Studio – ideal if you want to order by phone or in person.  They are having a Mad March Sale.  Throughout March, every Saturday and Monday they are offering 25% off everything.  You must order by phone or in person (not online) but that seems to be the only restriction.  Starts 1st March.  Happy shopping…

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Mike is an incredibly helpful and generous guy.  I bought a little something for my nephew – and not satisfied with the quality of ‘handkerchief’ that comes with the effect, he threw in 3 lovely silks instead.  That’s what I call excellent customer service.

He also showed me an interesting new effect utilising a psychic jellyfish!

A card is chosen from a deck of cards (Bicycle Cards – obviously!) and it is located again with the aid of your psychic jellyfish (or possibly octopus).  This little fellow hides in the top of a water bottle – only his eyes are visible – but as soon as the bottle rests on the chosen card our little friend floats down mysteriously into the centre of the bottle.

It’s a really cute little effect – uniquely available at Mike’s place – and comes complete with a deck of Bicycle cards and gimmick, and of course, the psychic jellyfish.  All for only £10.99!  You could easily train the jellyfish to locate other things – letter cards, esp cards, postcards too…  Available direct from Mike – and if you’re in the area – why not pop in for a natter?

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In Mike Danata, I have found another true believer. To say that he is a magic obsessive is an understatement! Since we were holidaying on the South Coast this yeara – and Bournemouth was almost closer than you can throw a Bicycle Card, I decided to pop in and have another visit…

Mike always says that his shop is the kind of place he dreamed about when he was a boy – where all things magical were available to see and touch. He has certainly done a great job of realising that. Indeed he seems to make it a personal mission to compare every version of an effect (where there are several) so that he knows which is the best. We were looking at one little close up effect of which he had 3 versions and his advice was very helpful.

Advice there is in abundance. Mike is always up for a natter (in fact, like my daughter, it is making him stop which is the challenge!) and has years of experience to bring to bear. Lots of the online shops are trying to emulate this with live chat etc. but it is just not the same. There is also a refreshing absence of ‘hard sell’. If he thinks a trick is rubbish he will tell you so.

Back to the shop. This is like a magical retail version of a sliding block puzzle. There is far too much stuff in too small a place – so it is wonderful. He does seem to know where most things are, and you just occasionally have to hold one pile so that another can be moved to access a third!

His opening hours are a little quirky – but do mean that whether you are holidaying or wokring in the area you should be able to find a time to pop in. And of course, he does operate an online and telephone service if you really can’t pop in.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area. But do set aside enough time to browse and natter…

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New Three Card Trick £10.00
I believe this is Mike’s handling of a Wayne Dobson idea – so a strong heritage you will agree! The routine is in some ways the classic three card monte – though with an extra phase where a card keeps moving around the packet (as I type this, I realise that sounds a bit like a description of the normal monte effect! I can’t think how to put this better – watch the video!) and with a finish where the ‘odd’ card has completely vanished.

My comments from last time re. DVD only instructions apply here. However, a strong point of this particular DVD is that the explanation section is filmed from the performer’s view – which I find much easier to follow than the opposite. All the necessary cards are supplied on Bicycle stock.

I have slightly mixed feelings on this one. It is dead easy to do – and will appeal to someone looking for a no-sleight version of this classic effect. For me, the first phase of the routine feels a little clunky – and that is largely determined by the method. I’m also unsure of the rationale for the middle ‘moving card’ phase. And without trying this on lots of lay-people, I can’t decide whether an ‘all the same card’ finish strengthens or weakens the effect.

Why don’t you watch Mike’s performance and make up your own mind:

Countersign – Wayne Dobson £10

This, I think, is my favourite effect of both batches we have looked at. It is an amusing routine where a card containing the magician’s signature repeatledly swaps places with a card which says ‘Your Signature’. It is a well constructed routine which builds to a logical conclusion – and the patter about ‘my signature’ and ‘your signature’ appeals to my love of puns.

The instructions say ‘no sleight of hand’ which is almost true – though the only ‘move’ required is very straightforward and well taught. It is supplied with detailed printed instructions (Yay!) and also DVD instructions – like the previous trick with performer’s view explanations.

I like this a lot. It is a novel and entertaining routine and easy to do. The only thing I would change would be to pre-print the ‘Your signature’ cards – rather than having handwritten cards. But that would no doubt increase the price, which is a bargain at £10.

Both available exclusively from http://www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk/

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69 Card Trick – Mike Danata/Russ Andrews £10.99
This trick has an unusual premise where a 6 spot card with a 6 written on the back turns into a 9 spot card when you turn the ‘6’ round. At the same time the rest of the packet get multi-coloured backs. For me the explanation is slightly laboured, but everything is certainly clearly explained.

Regular readers will probably have twigged I’m slightly old-fashioned when it comes to instructional material. So I have to admit that for me, the fact that the explanation is only on DVD (no written instructions) makes me go “Grrr…” But it is easy to do and an unusual effect, and comes with a nice set of different coloured Bicycle Cards.

The Joker is Wild – Mike Danata £10
In this effect, the ‘influence’ of a Joker makes a selected card amongst a set of 4 lose its face. Then all four cards lose their faces. An alternative ‘bonus’ handling is supplied which is essentially the trick in reverse – ending with printed cards – and for me the alternative handling makes more sense.

It comes with printed instructions for the ‘original’ routine (hurrah!) but not for the bonus routine which is only on DVD. All the necessary Bicycle Cards are supplied in the usual plastic wallet.

I prefer this to the previous one, but find the handling slightly contrived. On a philosophical note this seems to me slightly more of a ‘puzzle’ than an engaging routine – neither the handling or the plot has the elegance of a Bannon routine for example. But both are easy to do and a little bit different.

Beach Parade – Mike Danata £10.99
This is a twist on the classic ‘Parade of the Kings’/’Dream Queens’ effect but with a slightly more ‘adult’ theme. The three queens that aren’t chosen turn out to be (and I quote from the instructions) “topless beauties.” Now I have to say that this wouldn’t suit my style at all and feels a little but like it comes from a different era. But I suppose that for some performers and environments it would work. Positively, there is a clever patter routine which provides excellent cover for the necessary equivoque. Just not my kind of thang.

We have a few more items in this collection which we will review in part 2 – as soon as time permits.

All available exclusively from http://www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk/

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