Name: Bug-O-Me
Available from: Andy Clockwise -
andyclockwise@btinternet.com. Not sure which dealers will be stocking this, but I'm sure Andy will tell us.
Price: £30
Maker: Andy Clockwise
Examinable: The Magic happens in the spectators hand, so YES!
Difficulty: Fairly easy, the effect is more about presentation and managing the audience.
Out of 10: 8
Effect "A spectator selects a card from a pack of cards, each card featuring a different insect. The card is returned to the pack and shuffled. With the pack placed between the hands of the spectator the Magician reaches in and removes the selected card. But there's more . . .When the spectator now looks in their hands, the pack is seen to have changed into a solid piece of plastic containing their selected insect."
Comments This arrived just before I went over to the Isle of Man for this years TT races. As I spend every evening in a different venue all over the island with a band, I had a perfect opportunity to show this effect to different a wide variety of audiences, from families in our hotel to drunken bikers in the Creek in Peel.
The short time I had to learn the effect was of no consequence. The effect requires a simple force and a top palm, both of which are covered well by the script of the effect. There is a deck switch, obviously, but the spectator is occupied with a simple task that is related to the effect while the moves are carried out. It is possible to miss this part out, and more experienced performers probably will (I ended up dropping it), but for less bold or experienced performers this is a natural cover for the switch.
The effect has effectively two climaxes - the removal of the correct card from the deck held between the spectator's hands does get a strong reaction, especially if you build it up as a bit of a mind reading effect. But the real climax, the deck changing into a solid block of plastic with a real insect inside matching the chosen card gets great reactions - laughter, shock, disbelief, the whole range, and not just from the spectator involved, but from those watching as well!
The only real negative criticisms is that this is not repeatable to the same group and the cards are very slightly bigger than the block. However, the size of the cards do make it possible for you to sometimes grab the card from the very edge and pull it out holding it, literally, at the very tips of your fingers, and as far as the issue of repeating the effect, Andy can supply 4 different "Bug Blocks", so you can, for a small investment have 4 different endings.
So, is it worth £30? Well, you get a DVD, a deck of cards, a bug block and one other item that can be used in the routine, all supplied in a large, well produced DVD case. There is potential for this routine to be developed into a Bizarre, Mental or straight Magic routine, as well as a Comedy Magic routine.
The script is good, but with enough space and leeway for you to develop your own - in the space of a fortnight, I have adapted the basic routine to fit my style of performing, but the framework remains the same. It's sort of like a Fender Strat guitar - David Gilmour from Pink Floyd plays a Strat, and so does Dave Murray from Iron Maiden - two completely different styles, but you still recognise the guitar as being the same!
This can be used for walkaround (although be careful that the block doesn't get dropped onto a hard floor), at tables (after meals would probably be best!) or in a smaller platform/street setting.
I think it's a great routine, well worth the money, and as any working pros know, for an effect that is entertaining, with 4 different endings so it can be used in walkaround or table situations where people are likely to see repeat performances, and gets great reactions, £67 is not a lot of money.
I recommend this highly. Nice one Andy!
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