The routine demonstrated on the DVD starts off as a ‘coincidence’ effect – where your ‘lucky card’, which you have secured in a mint box, matches one chosen and drawn on by the spectator. In fact, it is the spectator’s card which ‘ends up’ in the box which has been in full view all the time.

Like many of the recent variations (Clarity Box, Mystery Solved, 3Sixty) this utilises a clear box which makes the switch look impossibly fair and clean. The killer element here is that there is no heat on the box at all – since it doesn’t look like a magic prop but like an ordinary mint box. It’s that ‘organic’ word again – but rightly so in this case.

You are supplied with a special mint box, gimmicks in red and blue bicycle back, and a spare sticker if you need to refresh your box (or make a new one – and instructions for this are included). And some mints!

The DVD contains a live performance and then all the explanation you need. Liam Montier and Steve Rowe explain every detail of the handling in detail and include a number of little wrinkles which make it even more convincing. It is clear that this is an idea which has been honed in the real world which should be endorsement enough. The DVD includes a section on the Mercury Card fold – which you will probably be unsurprised to realise you will need to do! This is a slightly tricky move and there are some tips on ways to make this easier (including using Jon Allen’s clever idea – Perfect Score).

Other ideas for the gimmick are included – Liam has a ‘nest of boxes’ routine, and a moment’s thought will show that it has numerous applications in mentalism etc. On the subject of mentalism there is a ‘barcode reveal’ on the mint box which seems to me to go somewhat against the philosophy of the trick. The whole idea is that the box should have no attention drawn to it at all – it is, to all intents and purposes, an ordinary box – but to me, having a playing card printed on the label makes it seem more like a gimmick again.

All in all I think this is a fabulous idea. I am a great lover of boxes – and so there is part of me that doesn’t mind the more ‘proppy’ approaches to this routine – however there is something completely disarming about using a mint box – and it would fit so well into almost any strolling or restaurant type setting.

Highly recommended.

Available direct from MoM (with thanks to BBM who kindly provided the review copy) – £23.99 at the time of writing.

The post Steve Rowe’s Mint – Review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

If you really want to go to town on a magic set then the Metamorphtrix set from Fantasma is the one. An enormous number of tricks, some good quality props and an instructional DVD. But it rocks in at £49.99.

To my mind the Deluxe Magic Set by the Las Vegas Magic Company is a very credible alternative with some classic pro quality tricks for only £34.50

But our top recommendation is probably still the
Joshua Jay Complete Magician set.  This consists of a book plus a DVD plus a few key props. Joshua is a fantastic teacher – and I have a bias towards books as many readers will know. £34.99

There have been a load of new cards out recently so we’ll do a special ‘Christmas Cards‘ (pun intended!) post in a few days.  But here are a few more new and notable releases – which would of course make great Christmas gifts for that special magician in your life…

I haven’t physically seen this yet – but I’m very excited about it. There seem to have been a whole plethora of different approaches to this problem recently – the in view switch of a card/billet – but this looks the best I’ve seen. One of the great features of Mystery Solved is that you can be seen to place something in at the beginning of the routine. £59.50

This is the UK edition of a trick that has really caught my eye. Fair Play looks like the perfect prediction effect to have about your person (OK – on your keyring) – so you are set to perform some amazing magic at a moment’s notice – and better still it is very easy to do. £29.99

Our final plug will only be of interest to a few I suspect.  I don’t actually perform stage illusions (and this is a close up magic blog!) but I LOVE reading about them.  One of the UK’s leading illusion designers has just released his magnum opus – the Confictura of Thomas Moore – and if you have any interest at all in this field you should really check out this serious (and heavy!  3KG!) book.

That’s all for now. Don’t forget to check back for the latest news, reviews and Bicycle cards! We’ve got a new John Bannon effect and a new Liam Montier DVD to review in the next few weeks.  So much exciting magic to enjoy!

The post Trick of the Month – December 2014 – the magic set edition appeared first on Bicycle Cards.