More interesting and fun stories from Derek's life as a performer, organizer, and booker.
Interesting and fun stories from Derek's life as a performer, organizer, and booker.
Excerpt from the introduction:
In this book I will be recalling the heady days of Club-land and some of the artistes I met and booked, when I was a Theatrical Agent.
Manchester could lay claim to having invented Club-land. It was around 35 years ago that people in the South first became aware that something unusual in light entertainment was happening in the North. Whilst London was still lamenting the closing of variety theatres such as Finsbury Empire, Manchester had already acquired substitutes, more...
Effect: The spectator chooses cards based on their vacation preferences (Hawaii or The Alps - Red or White Wine - Tour or Show) and eliminates other cards until only one card remains, becoming the spectator's chosen card, aka their travel companion. A hidden prediction correctly identifies the selected card, which is the only blank card in the deck and the spectator's three vacation choices. This effect is achieved without psychological forces.
This effect has an emotional appeal to the spectator, as they make choices about their fantasy vacation. Strong enough to be your closure.
Now available as a video download. For the PDF version, see Card Trail.
Five effects and one in-the-hands false cut. Jaw-dropping card magic that's big on impact and easy on the knuckles. Fun plots and novel methods abound in this compilation of pasteboard chicanery.
IMPROBABLE VS. IMPOSSIBLE -- A prediction effect and four Ace production... sounds weird but it's really cool.
OUT OF POCKET -- An insanely visual card and bill transposition.
SAVING ACE -- A Triumph/Ace location effect that makes you look like a sleight of hand master, but is pretty easy to do.
PROVIDENCE -- A sandwich effect...
An introduction to some basic tools to make a magic performance outstanding and memorable.
In this book, the author gives an overview of various elements that influence the impact of a magic performance. There are short essays on a number of important topics such as meaning and clarity, the timing and interaction of action and patter, mimics and gestures, the performer's emotions, etc. Paying attention to these aspects will help to increase the impact of any performance.
Der Vorführende demonstriert, dass die Zuschauer nicht erkennen können, wie ein Kunststück funktioniert, selbst wenn er alles in Zeitlupe ausführt.
Das Faszinierende an der Zauberkunst ist, dass dabei scheinbar Dinge passieren, die eigentlich gar nicht möglich sind. Das, was die Zuschauer sehen, erklärt nicht, wie oder warum diese Dinge passieren.
Um dies zu illustrieren, lässt der Vorführende eine in die Mitte des Spiels gesteckte Karte durch dreimaliges Riffeln der vorderen Schmalseite des Spiels wieder nach oben zurückwandern.
Um auszuschliessen, dass ein Duplikat der...
After getting so much positive feedback from his first release, Perplexed, we now have the next step in Matt's creative journey, pushing things further into the unknown. The effects in this release are connected by the idea of energy. Energy in presentation, energy in methodology or both. This is some of the strongest material in Matt's repertoire, that will leave a lasting impression with your participants that they will not soon forget.
First up, we have a complete deep dive into Matt's Psychometry routine, including how to use it in any environment, one-on-one, close-up or stage. Completely...
A new principle Step Jumble Force is introduced in this ebook. You can use this lovely principle to create your own routines on different themes.
Based on a presentation on the theme of Eye Patterns, a participant secretly thinks of several random digits from his date of birth or phone number and based on that arrives at a random word. Based on this word, he then mentally chooses either a personality trait or a color or playing card etc. And the performer is able to divine this final thought accurately.
There are no sleights, no pre show and no stooges. These routines are designed in...
Some time ago, a weird and bizarre deck, unlike any other, came on the market - the Dead Rebel, Angels and Demons deck. (Check your favorite dealer to purchase it. This download does not include the deck.)
Apparently, it did not sell as well as was expected. There may be two reasons for this. First, it's weird and not the sort of thing your average magician might want to use. Secondly, only one routine came with the deck, a version of "Out of This World" - not a routine to set any audience on fire.
However, when I got the deck, it inspired several more engaging routines. In the manuscript,...
Three cards are added to each of the four aces, but the aces magically get back together, besides other cards separating them.
As the name suggests, the ATFUS (Any Time Face-Up Switch) move has something to do with the method of this effect. No gaffs are needed. This is a sleight of hand routine.
1st edition 2025, video 2:55
One night at the Magic Castle, two young Germans showed this to Dai Vernon. Nine cards change to completely different cards with no hint of sleight of hand. A startling effect, it has the added plus of being in anybody's skill range, using only nine cards and no gaffs. You can customize this to illustrate whatever your imagination can devise.
The demo and tutorial videos will have you doing this in a matter of minutes.
1st edition 2025, video 2:02.
Also known as the "K" Book of Magic.
This material originally appeared in the booklet, Close Up Deceptions and in The New Tops magic magazine under the headings, Kardyro's Klose-up Konjuring and Klever Kardyro Kapers.
Tricks with magical accessories.
Edited by Roy Fromer and illustrated by "Doc" Tony Shiels. From the introduction by Roy Fromer:
Filled with creative, imaginative brain children . . . some with standard magicians' props . . . others utilizing such diverse equipment as licorice rope, fortune cookies, toy footballs, fluorescent bulbs . . . properties seldom, if ever considered "tools of magic". Mercurio grows hair on a billiard ball, out-Svengal is a Svengali deck, and even rediscovers (for our benefit) the age-old "Coin Slide".
Tell people about themselves using their names. Or use it to add depth and structure to drawings people make and more.
A method for giving a character analysis or reading that can be combined with graphology or many other systems, though designed to stand alone. You can present this as psychologically driven, psychic, or something in between. You can also use this in various mentalism presentations, too, giving people reasons as to why they picked certain words.
You will be able to give a quick two-minute reading, or a more thorough one, depending on your circumstances. Released with...
Is this a completely new treatment of the hugely popular Ambitious Card theme?
Ian Baxter introduces this new, fast-paced routine that never fails to impress. A selected card starts jumping through the deck, unexpectedly turning up supposedly under control of the 5 of Diamonds. The selection is cut back into the deck and then it happens again - but this time, unexpectedly, with the 5 of Hearts!
Having dispensed with both red fives, the chosen card, already subject to 'lightning striking twice' is lost in the deck and then the performer ribbon spreads the cards across the table. Both...
Introducing my Second Chance Collection - a carefully selected set of six individual eBooks ready for rediscovery. While these gems didn't sell well when first appearing on Lybrary.com, I'm confident you will perform these effects if you give them a chance. I'm offering this complete collection at over 50% off the regular price.
And here's what makes this deal even better - I'm including my bestseller for Free: 103 Tips and Resources for Magicians. This eBook alone is worth the price. It will save you time and money.
Whether you believe in the concept of rebirth or not, you will surely enjoy performing this effect. It is quick, visual, self working and very impactful.
You can choose to perform this as a serious rebirth themed routine or you can choose to perform this in a humorous way, depending on the kind of audience you are performing this for. Your participant just needs to have a phone with google on it.
The performer shows a single envelope which he says contains the picture of a person who has taken a rebirth from a previous life. The performer then shows 6 picture cards of persons who have...
Back in 2017, I released TNT Hypnosis - a deep dive into the Whats & Whys of hypnosis that most tutorials skip.
It had answers to questions like -
Now, here's the Extended edition.
Hypnosis is more than a show or phenomenon - it's science, psychology, and skill. TNT Hypnosis: Extended breaks down the Why behind the Why.
Un susseguirsi a catena di strabilianti effetti magici, con un semplice mazzo di carte, che vanno Ben Oltre il semplice ritrovamento di una carta scelta!
Un effetto di Magia con le Carte molto commerciale e di grande impatto, dove viene spiegato che, rispetto al classico trucco dove il mago fa scegliere una carta dal mazzo per poi riuscire a ritrovarla, qui si andrà BEN OLTRE, facendo seguire tutta una serie di rivelazioni a catena, una più sorprendente dell’altra!
Infatti, dopo la scelta di una carta subito dispersa, dapprima il prestigiatore farà in modo che sia il mazzo stesso...
Ever since Derek Lever toured Florida, he has fallen in love with crocodiles. This fascination with that creature was the point when the crocodile gags were born. Since then, people have sent him all kinds of crocodiles, from stuffed pyjama cases to crocodile biros and bubble baths. Ever since then, Colin Harmer has sent Christmas and Birthday cards in which he has composed drawings of magical crocodiles performing illusions. Simon Lovell and several others have also sent drawings specially composed for this book. These drawings and cartoons make up the bulk of this ebook, complemented by funny comments...
Elegance in card magic is not always found in easy-to-work, highly visual effects that can literally gob-smack audiences and leave a lasting impact. Honeycutter is one of those rare gems that easily meets the criteria. Originally published in Bruce Elliott's magazine The Phoenix, this revised version from Ian Baxter adds extra clarity and sparkle to Al Honeycutt's original.
Note if you will: Just eight cards from any deck are all that is required. No setup, no fakes, extras, or accessories are called for. This is totally impromptu, and the necessary skills are minimal. If you can shuffle a deck, you can...
This is a wonderful and very readable autobiography by Tony Kardyro, aka Senor Torino or Tony London. It is filled with lots of great routines, tips, and bits of business from a pro who was living and breathing magic. It includes interesting and educational stories and opinions to learn from. For example:
Remember, it does not matter where you are from - it is where you go that is important!
Most would do well to buy the older manuscripts and paper covered books written by men who were the professionals of the old school. You not only get your money's worth but you learn more of the...
Number reading, numerology, and cartomancy.
For psychic entertainers and readers – a hybrid mix of thought-dial, numerology, and various other concepts that let you answer any question posed. A visual concept that requires you to remember 10 things and allow your imagination to do the rest. Tested by various experienced readers out in the field. Unique, interesting, and easy to use. It can also be combined with many other reading systems. Also includes a short discussion on cartomancy.