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BMWGuy Inner circle Texas 2563 Posts |
Hey guys,
Alex here. I am surprised that there hasnt been much chatter about this new booklet from Mark Elsdon. As being a fan of Marks way of thinking, I was sent over a review copy by the man himself. I was lucky enough to meet Mark at Magi-Fest a few years ago, and he is a great chap. For those of you that have Tequila Hustler, this is just as good as that, same style as before, but with additional layers of thinking. Tequila Hustler I know, as most of you, is a worker, and I have seen numerous posts about how many of you are incorporating it for your stage or close up show. This is no different, you can perform Strange Oblique on stage, parlour, closeup, in all situations, and the great thing about it is that it does not require you to have a fancy bag, or white ball, or black ball, and just uses pocket change. If Tequilar Hustler is the epitome of Which Hand routines, then Strange Oblique is that of Kurotsuke routines. So lets get on with the review of this wonderful booklet: Introduction Mark explains that this routine falls into the propless mentalism category, and he explains that this routine will work 100% of the time. Mark will not take a risk with an effect if he is not sure that it will not work. Effect You all know the effect, you are able to tell who has a coin in his/her hand, as well as determine who is lying and who is telling the truth, from a group of 5 people. That is the effect in a nutshell, there is a lot more going on. Mark developed this after he developed Tequila Hustler, and thought about a way in which he can adapt it to this type of routine. Background Mark describes the background for the effect, and its origins from Sixth Sense, and onwards, explaining things that he liked and disliked, and then how Max Maven came onto the seen and the effect became very popular among mentalists. Method Now I will not expose anything as far as method is concerned, but I will say that Mark breaks down everything you need to know to perform this, and gives you all the different scenarios that could occur. Just like Tequila hustler, the book is well written, and the explanations are clear and detailed, and allow you to really dive in and wrap your head around the method, how it works, why it works, and then you will be off performing it after you understand the core concept of it all. Mark takes you step by step and instructs you on what you need to do so that you do not get confused, though I know some of you might still be confused, as some were when Tequila Hustler came about. Now, I know what most of you are thinking, since I know Tequila Hustler, then I know Strange Oblique, wrong.........the method although may appear similar is a bit different as in structure, presentation, and what you need to accomplish to find out all the relevant information, and finding the person with the coin. There is a version in which you use 5 coins, lets say 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and a half dollar, and you will determine who is lying and/or telling the truth and who has the quarter for example or the half dollar. There are loads of presentational possibilities with this, and Mark lets you explore this. Theatrical Premise and Introductory SetUp The way that this differs from other routines is the fact that presentation=method, and Mark is a genious for coming up with this. My hats off to him. Choosing The Participants Mark quickly describes ways on participant selection due to his vast experience performing this routine. Alternatives you don't have to use coins for this routine, you can use candies, bills, scrabble tiles, or anything that can be differentiated. There is a very good variation, for those of you that are into progressive anagrams, which takes the sixth sense routine into different territory and not only you divine who is lying and telling the truth, but also the thought of words as well. Mark says he has a lot more work on this that he will eventually publish, and you are added to the FB group once you purchase as well for further ideas and developments. I have an idea that I will be adding to the group soon involving Zodiac signs. Thanks guys, hope you enjoy this as much as I have. If you don't have Tequila Hustler, you don't need to have that routine to understand this routine, they are separate. If you have it, this makes a great compliment to it, in the propless mentalism field. You can purchase it here: http://elsdon.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/strange-oblique.html Alex Alejandro
PRESET by Alex Alejandro & Dan Harlan now available for a special introductory price!
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JoelDickinson Inner circle UK 1578 Posts |
Thanks for the review. It sounds excellent.
Joel.
Online Magic Store :
themiraclestudio.co.uk |
Pugwash New user 64 Posts |
I'm also a fan of Mark and purchased this a little while ago. Mark provides everything you need to know about his thinking and the method. I haven't seen Mark perform Strange Oblique but, after reading this, I can certainly see him doing it in my mind's eye.
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Michael Zarek Special user Sweden 923 Posts |
Every object has to be different?
Here in Sweden we only have 3 types of coins.
Reader discretion is advised.
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Atlas Inner circle 3103 1277 Posts |
That shouldn't be a problem Michael, simply mix in bills as well, or put an 'X' on one of the coins.
I've recently finished reading this and I think it is extremely clever. Fans of Kurotsuke should sit up and take note. Best, Atlas |
NeilS Inner circle 3225 Posts |
Thanks Alex for your excellent and informed review. Much appreciated.
Neil |
BMWGuy Inner circle Texas 2563 Posts |
Thanks Neil.
Since learning this, I have already performed it twice. Like Atlas said, fans of Kurotsuke should take note, Strange Oblique is to Kurotsuke, as Tequila Hustler is to Which Hand. Great thinking from Mark. If you havent seen Marks or Atlas Penguin Live Lecture you should. You will see how creative Mark is, and use things from the lecture, and for Atlas, you will appreciate propless work, like Cloud Nine, and PAs. Thanks Alex Alejandro
PRESET by Alex Alejandro & Dan Harlan now available for a special introductory price!
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BMWGuy Inner circle Texas 2563 Posts |
Hey guys,
I have been using this extensively, its a great piece that you can do anytime, anywhere. Cant wait for Mark's 2nd penguin Live Lecture coming up at the end of this month. Mark's first lecture was one of the best lectures I have seen. Thanks Alex
PRESET by Alex Alejandro & Dan Harlan now available for a special introductory price!
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CardFan Elite user Found the Socks ! 430 Posts |
I am a huge Elsdon fan for years and this booklet is great.
Buy it !
Aiming to become the only magician in the world that has ever produced the lost socks back from the dryer...
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1879 Posts |
Let me start off by saying "I like this."
This is another great piece of work from the mind of Mark Elsdon. The book is well-written and the explanation is thorough. That being said, I do think it's just a tad bit overpriced. Of course, this is just my opinion, but while the thinking behind the method is both clever and sound, it just doesn't excite me in the way that Tequila Hustler does. It will take you a bit to go over the routine in your head as you read the instructions, trying to visualize the various scenarios. Due to the way the method is constructed, it is nigh impossible to "practice" this at home. You just need to read the manuscript several times and make sure you clearly understand the concept. It is not difficult, but will require some mental effort on your part to do. I will use this, especially in impromptu settings, but I feel that there are better methods to achieve the effect in a formal show that don't require you to do any mental gymnastics, while trying to focus on presentation. Still, I highly recommend this as an invaluable entry into the "Kurotsuke" family. It is never a bad thing to have more GREAT impromptu, propless material, and I look forward to reading further creative efforts from Mr. Elsdon. |
Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
Strange Oblique is very slick thinking on Mark's part. I may like this better than TH. I like the TH variant taught within Strange Oblique a lot as well. Mark rarely fails to impress me.
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1879 Posts |
I agree that it is slick, Bill.
I've seen the specific question used in this routine somewhere else before, though. Tequila was such a major break-through, I suppose I expected the same here. Is that even possible? I just noticed tonight that he has YET ANOTHER new release! My poor wallet. |
ajb6864 Special user Greece 637 Posts |
I'd be interested to know the advantages that Mark's approach has over other similar effects, such as "Clue" by Jack Yates etc.
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
I have this, and I think it is really important to know that this is one of those effects that relies on logic that you hope your audience won't figure out.
This is more of a puzzle than magic or mentalism. It is possible that your audience may not figure out the logic, but it is a logic puzzle. This routine requires a leap of faith that your audience is not smart enough to figure out the logic puzzle. Maybe they aren't, but maybe they are. If you are presenting yourself as a genuine mentalist and someone figures out that you just presented a puzzle and they cracked the code, your cover is blown. If you are a magician that also does magic, well then someone who cracks the puzzle also blows your cover as a magician. I get that an audience member may see you flash something you shouldn't have, but that is in your control. Them figuring out the logic of the puzzle is not in your control. I personally wouldn't perform this as is. I might do something similar using the product Sixth Sense, but I wouldn't do it as presented. KJ |
Dreda Veteran user 320 Posts |
In penguin magic someone said it is like ring of the truth by Banachek (not credited) but Elsdon uses it on many people (every person must know the other roles). It's true ?
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
Yes, everyone must know the others role.
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Max Hazy Special user 543 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 29, 2016, Dreda wrote: That "someone" was me. Tequila Hustler is a favorite of mine, one of the most wonderful ideas I've seem. However, I have to be honest... Strange Oblique along with a couple of Fraser Parker material were some of my worst purchases in over 15 years. I'll paste here my review in penguin: Quote: Being propless is a big advantage, but it also have even bigger disadvantages (way bigger).
"Your method is in my opinion the very best way to do Q&A"
Millard Longman "Max has pushed some less known and seldom used principles a huge step forward" Jan Forster Arcane Grimoires Vol 1- http://www.maxhazy.com/arcane-grimoires/apocryphal-reach/ Arcane Grimoires Vol 2- http://www.maxhazy.com/Codex-Mentis/ |
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