SYNOPSIS:
Openers is an anthology of more than forty performance-tested routines contributed by professional magicians, each chosen because the contributor uses it to begin a show, close-up set, or walk-around encounter. Rather than concentrating on one magician’s style, the book presents many approaches to establishing attention quickly, introducing the performer’s personality, involving spectators, and creating a strong first impression. Gary Jones provides the foreword.
The collection includes work from Boris Wild, John Guastaferro, Matt Baker, Luca Volpe, R. Paul Wilson, David Regal, Woody Aragón, Michael Murray, Paul Brook, Henry Evans, Danny Goldsmith, and many others. The material ranges from card productions, Ace routines, Invisible Deck presentations, and card revelations to coin effects, pendulum work, predictions, influence demonstrations, palm reading, shot glasses, business cards, cups, and other small props.
Although the routines vary in props and style, the collection is unified by their purpose: each effect is intended to work immediately, establish credibility, and lead naturally into the rest of a performance. The book is primarily aimed at close-up and walk-around performers, though some selections can be adapted to parlor or stand-up settings. Vanishing Inc. describes the contents as a mixture, with the majority involving cards and most being close-up openers.
Book Details:
Author/Creator: Various
Publisher: MagicSeen Magazine
Publication Year: 2024
Subjects: Cards, Close-Up Magic, Mentalism
Pages: 188
Skill Level: Intermediate
Availability: Vanishing Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Foreword by Gary Jones (p. 3)
• Not That Drunk – Boris Wild (p. 6)
• 3C/Firecoins – Chris Congreave (p. 10)
• Virus – John Guastaferro (p. 14)
• Casablanca – Matt Baker (p. 20)
• The Gold Cup Con – Carl Royle (p. 28)
• Prime Importance – Iain Moran (p. 34)
• The Psychic Pendulum – Luca Volpe (p. 41)
• Contender – Liam Montier (p. 45)
• TipLess – R. Paul Wilson (p. 48)
• Collenddon Aces – Paul Gordon (p. 52)
• Shot Glass Opener – Lawrence Hass (p. 55)
• Gary’s Opener – Gary Jones (p. 60)
• First Aid Box – Cameron Francis (p. 62)
• The One You Didn’t Choose – Sean Carpenter (p. 66)
• Chinese Chance – Steve Cook (p. 70)
• When In Doubt, Read A Palm – Ryan Schlutz (p. 75)
• Note Perfect – Jasper Blakeley (p. 80)
• The Opener – David Regal (p. 83)
• Do Not Get Confused… – Woody Aragón (p. 85)
• Obi One-Coinobi – Michael O’Brien (p. 89)
• Bounce/No Bounce Opener – Chad Long (p. 94)
• Karate – Rafael Benatar (p. 96)
• Boxxer – Kev Gregson (p. 100)
• 3, 2, 1 Dunbury – Daniel Chard (p. 109)
• Crosses 2 – Peter Pellikaan (p. 113)
• The Bet – Christian Grace (p. 116)
• Pro Invisible Deck – Steve Dela (p. 121)
• Coin Spin Production – Wayne Fox (p. 128)
• Strength Of Imagination – Fraser Parker (p. 130)
• Business Clipped – Steve Gore (p. 135)
• Choose Me – Paul Brook (p. 138)
• Never Meet Your Heroes – Peter Nardi (p. 146)
• Equifinque – Phill Smith (p. 149)
• Double Dot – Etienne Pradier (p. 151)
• Forget Me Knot – Shaun McCree (p. 153)
• Fluid Opener – Andrew Dean (p. 162)
• The Time Vanish – Alan Rorrison (p. 165)
• Yesterday’s Dream – Harry Robson (p. 167)
• Sublime Influence Evolution – Michael Murray (p. 170)
• Turbo Cup – Mark James (p. 178)
• Cap Tap Subtlety – Danny Goldsmith (p. 183)
• Window To The Future – Henry Evans (p. 186)
