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Details

Price$39.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedDec 31, 2022

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

David Regal

Blue Bikes Prods - David Regal

(Based on 1 review)
THE LONG & SHORT OF IT is not a card trick.

THE LONG & SHORT OF IT is not a coin trick.

THE LONG & SHORT OF IT is David Regal's magical explosion of the classic boomerang illusion, a complete performance piece packed with amazement and amusement, suitable for all ages. Laughs and gasps combine as pieces of wood appear to change size in ever more intriguing colorful combinations.

An elegant burgundy sack contains four brightly-painted pieces of custom-crafted wood. The theme of the routine can be tailored to one's audience:
  • A demonstration of audience hypnosis
  • A reenactment of the time you taught kindergartners
  • A look at poor quality control
  • The reason you failed geometry
  • The miracle of "adjustable wood"
  • The power of suggestion
  • What happened when you tried to assemble that thing from IKEA
Or even...
  • The techniques behind Classical Architecture (Regal's routine)
THE LONG & SHORT OF IT adds elements to the classic prop that are doorways to comic opportunity and magical mayhem. It's three minutes of fun, overflowing with moments of astonishment - that's THE LONG & SHORT OF IT.

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

Feb 23, 2023

Overview

It seems that we are at a revival period in magic. In the last year numerous re-interpretations of classic magic effects have been released. Clever magicians have revisited effects that have been pushed aside for more “modern” developments. The Long and Short of It by David Regal took one of those long forgotten effects known as the Jastrow Illusion or Boomerang Trick and dressed it up with a fresh and snazzy presentation and it is a winner.

Effect

The performer takes out a set of solid “arch” shaped pieces of wood and takes the audience on a roller coaster ride that not only will amaze and amuse them but make them question their own sensibilities. Four pieces of colored wood, two red and two yellow, change in size multiple times depending on where they are positioned. With clever scripting Regal, extracts every ounce of magic capable with an old optical illusion that never reached its true potential.

Method

The trick is self working and uses the qualities of an optical illusion to create the impression that these solid pieces of wood are actually changing in size. Through the use of clever scripting and increasing the number of pieces to four instead of two, Regal created probably one of the cleverest versions to date using this particular visual phenomenon.

Product Quality

The physical product, the arches themselves are cut, painted and printed upon are very nice. They are finished well and have a good feel to them. The accompanying training video starts with the history of the illusion, its ultimate use as a magic routine and finally his primary routine which is reflected in the name of the trick. Alternative routines are discussed briefly. The scripting and handling although basic are thoroughly covered.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is accurate and delivers everything that is stated. This and other “retro” type effects blatantly show that there is still so much potential out there when it comes to magic. I’m looking forward to other forgotten and ignored magic effects and have new life breathed into them as well.
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