The Vault – The Magic Man Project – Rubber Bands – Andrew Eland

This unusual offering from Murphy’s Magic is quite unlike anything I’ve reviewed. It’s not a full fledged DVD.. and it’s not a single effect. The Ad Copy reads as follows:

In this electrifying new HD download series, Magic Man shares two of his favorite rubber band routines. These are two real-world routines that he has been performing for over 20 years – refined and tweaked through thousands of performances in every environment possible!

You will learn:
The Boomerang Band routine
A mini rubber band routine including Magic Man’s unique presentation for the Crazy Man’s Handcuffs
These are real world, in-the-trenches routines that have been audience tested and perfected!

Full HD | Full live and in-studio performances included | Real world magic | 1 hour

Who is Magic Man?

Magic Man is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets. Magic Man has been touring North America, Canada and Asia for the past 20 years building an impressive list of achievements. From the Rolling Stones at the Sticky Fingers restaurant in London to the wrap-up party in Vancouver for U2’s Zooropa Tour, Magic Man has entertained the finest!

He has worked at the Edinburgh Festival and headlined at top nightspots across Europe, Canada and South Korea. Combining unbelievable sleight-of-hand with his unique sense of humor, Magic Man can keep any room enthralled with wonder for hours!

My Thoughts:

First, I’m going to address the elephant in the room. Since this 1 hour video highlights the elusive Boomerang Band.. I’m going to start there. Although the Boomerang Band effect has been both written about and videoed, there are still those who believe it’s only a myth. A magi takes a rubber band, contorts it around his fingers, shoots it about fifteen feet across the floor.. and, just as the rubber band reaches its fartherest point… it reverses direction and literally rolls back to the magi with impressive speed. Rumor has it a certain magician can even make it roll up his arm and settle in his shirt pocket. I’m not sure about that.. but I am sure the Boomerang Band is NOT a fairy tale, as I have watched the bands dance their way back to the waiting magi numerous times.

Although the origin is unknown.. Charlie Miller, Dan Garrett, Chris Kenner, Dan Harlan, Paul Daniels, Don Cox, Al Angello, Michael Weber, and Paul Sponaugle have all made contributions to Boomerang Band, not to mention Magic Man.. Andrew Eland, who is making his contribution with this download.

Andrew.. aka, Magic Man, demonstrates and patiently teaches viewers how to perform Boomerang Band. (BB). He routinely performs his version in outdoor locations around the world, as he spends a portion of each year performing in locations from North America to Europe to South Africa.

This is one of those quirky little effects that will catch most audiences, and magicians, off-guard, as they’ve never heard of BB.. much less actually seen it. It’s the type effect that will draw crowds out of curiosity, and give you the opportunity to perform your complete set to a full house.

After teaching Boomerang Band, Andrew teaches his entire routine. Although not very long, it’s efficient.. and consist almost entirely of rubber band effects, utilizing a few small props like a battery, a wand, a spoon and a coin.

One effect is based on The Moving Ring.. but without the ring. Andrew creates a small diversion and uses this little prop to perform both this effect and to make his Crazy Man’s Handcuffs unique and very visual. You need to see it to understand what I’m saying. If you currently perform either of these two effect in a conventional way, you’ll have no problem adapting to the Magic Man method.

(Crazy Man’s Handcuffs, devised by Arthur Setterington, Peter Warlock, Herb Zarrow and popularized by David Copperfield.)

He also teaches Two Way Stretch, which is a method of showing one band as two.. and
Snap by Harry Lorayne. Combined, everything creates a very nice routine for busking or traditional walk-around. You can’t beat it for the money, and it has my recommendation.

Quality wise, it is a typical Murphy’s Magic product. Filmed outdoors at VIctoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town and indoors at The Capetown College of Magic in Cape Town, everything from the outdoor setting to the indoor teaching session is good, quality work. Sound is good, lighting is good, and I have no complaints.. and I don’t think you will either.
Don’t think you will learn Boomerang Bands overnight. Andrew tells you such, and you need to be prepared to put in the time to learn something unique and captivating. There’s no doubt you’ll be glad you did. Be different, and proceed to the front of the line..

$12.95 Instant Download. From Murphy’s Magic and their associates.

https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=64329

Review by Rick Carruth