Issue 29 - Nov. 09
Alpha
To Omega
Stephen Tucker
Available from: www.bigblindmedia.com, www.stephentuckermagic.co.uk and your
favourite dealer
Price: £19.99
The packet-Brainwave effect has
tickled creative magicians for decades now. The two modern classics – B’Wave
and Twisted Sisters – remain exceptionally potent packet tricks, and
recent variations such as Dominique Duvivier’s Nervous Breakdown and Dan Harlan’s Mind Surf illustrate this plot’s ability to beguile and astound.
However, all these tricks have utilised one or more special cards, meaning you
don’t end clean. The last two mentioned tricks make use of a further bit of
kit, as did Omega’s direct
inspiration – our own editor’s Cards
on Parade. Mark’s effect did not use these gaffed cards, however, and led
to the first iteration (the Alpha) of
the Omega effect.
Stephen Tucker’s Omega is his
ingenious solution to a totally gaff-free, equivoque-free B’Wave effect and Big Blind Media have shrewdly bundled Stephen
off to a vacant garage, filmed Omega
together with some variations and other Stephen Tucker creations, and then
released it on DVD along with a cavalcade of cards and PDFs.
The somewhat lugubrious and understated Tucker has created a great trick
in Omega. It does make use of one
particularly notable sleight, but the structure and the routining means it is
very easy, so do not worry at all that the elimination of gimmicks makes it a
technical nightmare. It’s also an enjoyable trick to perform; the moment you
do “the thing” is deeply satisfying and the series of climaxes are adaptable
as to how magical or mental-magical you want to go.
Alongside the performance and explanation of Omega, there are five variant effects taught utilising the Omega
concept. Naturally, some of the variants are a bit samey, but ESP
Omega can be a very direct piece of mentalism, EZ’Wave
is a hands-off version relying on outs that should suit groups, and The
Amazing 4 Aces Trick, though using a bit of a clunky, gimmicked book (easy
to assemble), is funny and entertaining in a Bank
Night kind of way.
The two bonus effects are from Stephen’s quite extensive catalogue,
which to buy separately from his website would cost more than a few quid; Matrix
Reloaded is a Matrix effect with a difference, and Exhibit
“A” is a little murder-mystery routine that will require you to find a
few simple items to perform. But that’s not all; hidden amongst the bonus
stuff are some other gems, making this a veritable little treasure-trove.
With a bit of table-space and the information on this DVD, you can
definitely baffle and amuse. I was going to close with a corny line like, “you
can B’Wave goodbye to all other versions of the trick,” but it’s not
really my style. DL
What’s Hot: one of the best tricks named after a letter of the Greek
alphabet
What’s Not: co-host Liam Montier’s misconception that the constant reliance
on the phrases “Oh OK,” and “Oh right” are somehow penetrating and
insightful
Star Rating: ****
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