Issue 23 - November 08
Further Reflections
Tony Griffith
Available from: Tony Griffith, 13 Church Rd, Norton Malreward, Bristol BS39 4EX tony@tonygriffith.co.uk
Price: £25.00 + £3.00 P&P
In Issue 18 (Jan. 2008) I reviewed the first of Tony's projected trilogy of books, Reflections, and now I am pleased to be able to pass comment on the second of the triumverate, Further Reflections. I think I detect a sequence in the book titles evolving! Those readers who bought the first volume will be pleased to know that not only does the new work live up to the standards set by the first, but it probably exceeds it.
The first difference is that while Volume 1 was originally published in spiral bound format, Further Reflections comes as a channel bound hard back with a colour printed laminated cover (I believe the first book will also be produced in a similar hard back from now on). Inside the covers you will find 105 A4 size pages featuring another excellent collection of Tony's signature effects and essays.
The material in this edition is very strong. Included are a number of ring and rope moves for stand up work (including a presentation variation on my own Ring Competition), three versions of the Penny Move idea from John Fisher's 'Never Give A Sucker An Even Break', there's Tony's highly commercial Becton Cards routine and one of the best things, in my opinion, that he has ever come up with, a full description of his All Backs routine. These plus a number of other highly practical effects are well described and illustrated where necessary with line drawings taken from a number of sources.
A major feature of Further Reflections is Tony's explanation of how he works his Science Magic shows in schools. For anyone looking to try something new that will get them paid bookings in primary schools, this could be a goldmine. As an ex Head Teacher Tony understands what a Science Magic show needs to put across and he explains this to you along with details of a number of fun Science 'experiments' that you can do. This is novel and unlike anything else that has been offered to children's entertainers before, I suspect.
As with the first volume, Tony has also penned a number of interesting articles on a range of magical topics including how to make money from after dinner speaking and performing for Rotary groups and other similar organisations, he gives his opinions about magic club lecturers and comments on the Weston Wizards, who were a magic group who managed to run a 'club' without officers and intrusive protocol. The essays in this book are not as wide ranging or useful as those from the first volume, but they are interesting nonetheless.
If you enjoyed the first book you will surely want to get this next one as it is similarly full of good, straightforward magic for close up, stand up and children's events. If you didn't get the first volume, then you may care to get both together as the cost for both is just £40.00 (+ £5.00 P&P), a saving of £10 on the individual book prices. ML
What's Hot: honest, practical magic and comment from a seasoned,
knowledgeable pro
What's Not: no really new plots or methods (but who needs them?)
Star Rating: *****
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