Issue 30 - Jan. 10
Modern Marvel Volumes 1 and 2
Mel Mellers
Available from www.rsvpmagic.com
Price: £17.99 each
This two volume DVD set has been over a year in the making and tracks Mel Mellers as he performs at various venues around the country performing magic in a style only possible by Mel himself.
If you are familiar with, and have enjoyed, Mel’s previous DVD releases then you will not be disappointed with ‘Modern Marvel’. This is more of the same from Mel and RSVP Magic. I say this not in a bad way, however, as both DVD volumes are hughly enjoyable to watch and learn from.
Intermingled between the performances and explanations are several ‘Thoughts of Chairman Mel’ sections where Mel answers questions fired at him from various audience members.
The production of the DVD, as we have come to expect from Russ Stevens (RSVP Magic), is once again excellent. The DVD menus are easy to navigate through and the footage is professionally edited.
Let’s take a look at a few of my favourite routines from the two volumes:
I was actually at the filming of one of the routines ‘Pseudo Card Routine’ at the 2008 South Tyneside Convention and it was as funny to watch again as it was at the time. The routine itself is a relatively simple pseudo memorisation of a deck of cards but the interaction with the young spectator is priceless.
‘Do as I Do Plumes’ is another example of Mel at his best. Again Mel puts his comedy spin on what is a simple ‘Do as I Do’ routine with a young girl from the audience.
A perfect introduction to your show, ‘Bottle Opener’ is Mel’s take on the Norm Nielsen Vanishing Bottle routine. Seemingly giving away £10 of his own money, Mel wins every time in this funny opener.
Each DVD contains seven new routines. Some are what would be considered old routines which Mel has taken and added his own routining/style to, such as the ‘Magic Square’ and ‘Six Card Repeat’. However, all fourteen routines merit a viewing and much can be learned from Mel’s presentational style alone. Enjoyable viewing!! PS
What’s Hot: Another quality release with some great routines
What’s Not: Some routines didn’t quite hit the mark for me
Star Rating: ****
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