This is a bonanza of magic - and begins with an intro of performance tips which contains tips, hints, suggestions, notes, and secrets of performance - very important! Included are two videos of performances and explanations. Magic with coins, ESP, cards, silks, bottles, topological problems, and most of these effects are impromptu.
22 monster effects are included with an introduction explaining how a real professional takes control and makes his or her spectators, in awe. Included is a section of "Quickies", or quick tricks that appear to be "off-the-cuff", yet, will dazzle your spectators.
PROFESSIONAL TIPS is a section explaining how to bring your spectators into your magical universe and endear them.
E-Z CARDS ACROSS is perfect for parlor, cabaret, or even your living room. Paul's version is the easiest method possible to perform this miracle. The patter is hilarious.
CLOSE UP COLOR CHANGING SILK! This new method is so clean...your spectators will be stunned. The included patter is so ridiculous, your spectators will laugh out loud.
ACCURATE PREDICTION (2 methods) is ESP at its finest! Every step is so fair that your spectators will be shocked.
TWO COINS is a coin routine with many, many revelations. Learn new sleights and dazzle your spectators.
E-Z TORN and RESTORED CARD - This is the easiest T&R that you can perform...yet it is every bit as strong as the others.
WINE BOTTLE PRODUCTION - You are going to love this powerful, easy-to-do routine. Great opener for table-side.
A COMEDY CARD REVERSAL - Paul has been performing this routine for 20 years...it is absolutely mind-blowing - and very, very funny. Instead of a card reversing, the whole deck turns face up. Shock will ensue, and it's easy to do.
DELUDED DUNBURY - Charlie Miller's Dunbury Delusion is a "staple" of the best card magician's in the world. Paul has provided a very easy-to-understand, step by step procedure. This routine will fool everyone.
AN UPDATED MARLO MIRACLE - This is one of Paul's favorite tricks to perform and kept "underground" for many years. Paul has simplified Marlo's handling...but it is every bit as strong as the original routine...even stronger. Important! This effect is completely broken down, step-by-step, with notes, hints, and performance tips that you can use to improve every aspect of your performances, making you the very best performer possible for many routines!
QUICKIES - In between your longer routines, the real professional will "fry" brains with these quickie routines that will appear be, "off-the-cuff". This is the sign of a true professional and these quickies are what your spectators will talk about, long after your performance is complete. 12 quick routines plus a variety of performance tips and hints that will make you appear to be a master of magic.
1st edition 2016, 45 pages.
Reviewed by Marc DeSouza
★★★★★ Date Added: Wednesday 28 December, 2016Here is another terrific collection of mostly close-up magic for the performers. Many of these are classic and neo-classic routines that have been created or used by others, but Paul gives us his personalized handlings that are obviously from the repertoire of a worker. Paul begins with some tips that offer some very sage advice for those who wish to perform for laymen. First up is EZ Cards Across, a very aptly named routine. I use Cards Across a lot, but mine requires several palms and holding out cards. Not so here; this version relies on subtleties and a very simple move. Close Up Color Changing Silk is next and this is a fun commercial routine well within the capabilities of most. Two Coins is a multi-phased routine with lots of action and a kicker finish. Nice thinking here. His EZ Torn and Restored Card is a very direct version of this currently popular trick. Despite the simplicity, it will get the job done and will fool laymen., His Wine Bottle Production is a nice opener for the stand-up performer. This would be a great way to lead in to a Coin in Bottle routine. Paul offers a very in depth tutorial on The Biddle Trick and it is a real winner...a worthy addition to anyone's close up repertoire. Under the heading Quickies, he offers many suggestions for both the technique and effects using The Top Change and Double/Triple Turnovers. In addition, there are several more card techniques and effects discussed. This is a bargain for anyone looking to add some new material to their tool box, as well as get some great insight into magic from a real pro.
Reviewed by Roy Eidem
★★★★★ Date Added: Tuesday 27 December, 2016For ten bucks you get real world worker tested material from full-time pro Paul Lelekis. Everything that Paul offers is always the real deal! Nice mixture of mental, coin, silk, & card magic. Use any one of the magical affects offered and you will reap your modest investment ten fold.
Reviewed by Michael Lyth (confirmed purchase)
★★★★★ Date Added: Tuesday 27 December, 2016exactly what the other revues have said and good to see Rick Carruth of magic news and roadshow fame and not forgetting Magic Tips and Tricks [Book] and also to see /read his revues after recent health problems but for me as is all Paul's past works purchased true value for money and mind stimulating too well done Paul
Reviewed by Enrico Varella
★★★★★ Date Added: Tuesday 27 December, 2016Read Paul Lelekis’s Magic Variety Pack from the beginning. Never gloss over his Introduction(s). That is the gemstone of this multi-faceted ring. I can easily echo his wise sentence: ‘Be the one in command of your arena!’ under ‘Professional Tips’.
In his 39th book, Paul focuses still on entertaining your audience with hard-hitting magic. An oldie can become a ‘golden goodie’ with a potentially-jaded 21st Century audience. I am reminded strongly of Jamy Ian Swiss’s essay ‘The Last Layman’, about how rare an appreciative magic audience is these days. Having the ability to earn the audience’s admiration and respect for magic is priceless.
There is ‘a little bit of country and a little rock & roll’ in Paul’s new offering. I cannot single out which is the best in a Greatest Hits Collection, but urge you to give each piece an opportunity to ‘shine’. Despite its wide variety, this collection still packs a punch. Ensure you have your deck of cards and coins with you as you study each piece of performance potential.
You should definitely read his ‘Quickies’ section – albeit slowly, as it has performance tips we can seriously consider. Although Paul is not a big fan of the Top Change, he offers his approach to doing it well. I enjoyed his explanation on executing Multiple Lifts, and apply these to your revelations. His gift to us magicians is that he can explain magic clearly and with clear intentions. Being one of the most prolific creators in magic, he is truly the go-to guy for research and assurance in a variety of magic topics. Enjoy!
Reviewed by Rick Carruth
★★★★★ Date Added: Monday 26 December, 2016I can't stress the value of Paul's ebooks. Each is full of magic learned the hard way.. on the street and at the table of customers looking for any reason to call your bluff. Instead, Paul introduces effects that makes the customers become forever fans. That's the mark of a REAL performer, and Magic Variety Pack, with effects from Charlie Miller and Marlo (among others) details precisely how Paul takes classic effects, reduces them to their simplest form, and releases them for the rest of us to enjoy. Magic Variety Pack also includes intimate tips and tricks Paul has learned through years of performances. This is invaluable. I still believe Paul's ebooks, and particularly Magic Variety Pack, is one of the Best Values for ten bucks in all of magic.
Reviewed by Christopher Weber
★★★★★ Date Added: Monday 26 December, 2016The new ebook "Magic Variety Pack" is another fantastic bargain offered to the magic community by Paul Lelekis. This ebook IS packed with lots of great magic, innovative ideas, real world performance tips and a treasure trove of useful professional advice. Written in Paul's relaxed easy to follow style, this book is conducive to reading while having the cards, coins or other props right in your hands. To me, this is not only fun to do but the best way to learn.
A quick look at the Table of Contents will tell you that there is something here for everybody. All time tested effects that work great in a number of performance situations. As with all of Paul's publications he gives very clear explanations and finds ways to simplify difficult moves without taking anything away from the all-important effect. Excellent patter and tips are always included right in the text as you read along.
The card effects are all very clean and direct, easy for the spectators to follow and understand. Nothing complicated here, just terrific magic!
I particularly like Paul’s professional advice on entertainment and involving the spectators that is present in every effect presented here. I had lots of fun with two of the non-card effects, the Two Coins routine and the Close Up Color Change Silks. The Quickies are like an added bonus! Great advice and tips on the Top Change, Switches, Double and Triple Turnovers, Snap-Over Change and Other Revelations. As if the whole book isn't a bargain, the Quickies are like getting another whole book for free! You'll love it!
