As I have become more used to working as a professional magical entertainer, over the last twenty-five years, I have found that the best magic effects I chose to induce are often the simplest in method. It is only the handling by the magician that sells a magical effect. - Take the ball out and put the ball in, swap the object from one hand to; another hand, to a pocket, to Topit, to Pouch or to Servante etc. It is all the same.

I have found the most useful props to be those with the least amount of gimmicks as possible. A ring and a string, ( A beer tab and a shoe lace), A golf ball and a cup, some assorted coins… It is not the devices that produce the effect but how you use them. As people at large have gained more access to magician’s props many of our past secrets have become exposed to the general public. That does not means that we should stop using these effects but simply that we use them at a skill level unknown to the average person. I have on several occasions had the experience of a person coming up to me after a show and saying " Oh! I got one of those in America but it doesn’t work like that." ?? What can I say? Keep practising.

The gimmick on a magic prop, I believe, needs only to be present if it gives that effect a tiny lift from that of being a magic trick or puzzle, to be worked out , to the level of an unexplained small miracle. The gimmick is not the magic and you do not have to use gimmicks to produce magical effects.

If the magic is not present in you, in your handling, in your demeanour and most importantly in your belief system then a gimmick can do nothing for the entertainment value of your performance.

Magicians Close-up props and effects that I manufacture are of simple precision construction. While they may not have a lot of springs and fancy mechanisms they will have balance, good feel , will look the part in the eyes of the audience and will last a lifetime of use. Also, all effects that I make, I use, so everything has been well tested in live show situations before manufacture of the final product.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SELF WORKING MAGIC TRICK - After all, if it is self working what do the audience need you for and where would you create the work for which you are paid?

If you wish to purchase effects from me understand that I am selling you only a precision device that you will need to work at to make your own….

BEFORE PERFORMING FOR AN AUDIENCE.
The instructions, if there are any, outline a method but do not constitute a script, story presentation or patter, as personally I work silently using mime technique to convey my messages.

I am not selling you a magic show. I could not sell you a magic show if I tried and contrary to the opinion of nearly every dealer I have ever come across you cannot buy yourself a magic show. The best you can do is purchase a bunch of props. If you have the drive within you will create the magic show for yourself whether you can purchase special magical props or not.

Yours sincerely

Tara Okan.