Home Counties Magical Society

The club room was packed on a very warm Thursday night, and a large number of guests and respected members including Bob and Val Swadling attended to see the multi award winning Etienne Pradier lecture.

Etienne started with a blank notes to real notes effect, ala Fred Kapps, the money? Iraqi, one of the notes was placed onto the table and the remaining notes transformed into British £20 notes. The tabled note was picked up and a member of the audience asked for a currency, euros, how much? 20, and as the Iraqi currency was folded and unfolded it turned into euros, a final kicker being that the audience member chose either a single 20 or two tens, the chosen two 10's effortlessly appeared in place of the original Iraqi tender. Etienne explained the effect in detail, and showed how almost any currency called for could be revealed. An excellent first effect.

Notes away, Etienne moved onto cards. This effect was as etienne explained was for smaller groups in a mix and mingle environment. Three spectators were asked to glimpse a card from a riffled deck, Etienne attempted to divine their card, failing he turned to a near by spectator who found the cards in his pocket.. Again a very nice and strong effect and demonstrated Etienne's ability to 'audience manage' to perfection.
Still using cards there was a nice routine involving a selected card that was mis-revealed as the incorrect card, placed under Etienne's watch, which turned out to be the selected card. Further quick flourishes had the selected card repeated jumping bak to his pocket before a deck vanish leaving only the selected card and a card to wallet on the off beat. This really showed the experience and talent Etienne has, with I think the fastest card to wallet I've ever seen!

Moving on from cards, Etienne borrowed a finger ring to perform a nice ring on rope effect, the ring passed off the rope and back again, before vanishing to be found back on the spectators finger! Again Etienne explained the audience management, and how to create a unforgettable effect for the group you are performing for.

Of course when rings are in play, there is always a flight type effect somewhere along the line. The difference here was that even though you knew exactly what was about to happen, like everything with Etienne, you just didn't see it! He also explained something extra with ring flight that helped the management of the effect.

Taking a break from actual effects Etienne talked about what he felt worked magic wise, items under watches being one of his favorites, causing much more of an impact than just vanishing to normal location.. He also talked about how he liked quick fast magic, keeping a step ahead of the audience and creating bewildering effect with twists and 'confusion'

Two spectator, special ones such as a bride and groom, were asked to select and sign two separate cards, the cards lost in the deck 'find each other' before becoming physically bonded together as a signed 'double facer' gift.

Etienne continued with forks, a few gag effects and illusions of bending before a quick bend of the fork (or knife as Etienne said he liked to called it, since "with my accent it sounds like I am swearing, so we will call it.. A knife") followed by a fast unbend and restoration, aging leaving the slight confusion in the mind of 'did I actually see it bend??!' followed by the 'breaking' of a spectators finger jarred you back to reality sharply!! Before Etienne seemingly accidentally broke the base off a wine glass to restore it again with humble apologies..

A selected card was placed along with the remainder of the deck into a card box placed into an envelope. The previously bent fork/knife was push through the top of the envelope to seal it and held by a spectator, the bag and deck was pulled revealing the chosen card impaled on the fork (knife), as a double twist, the spectators watch was found in the envelope.. Pure class!!

A lovely appearing / disappearing four ace routine was shown but not explained as it was from Etienne's new book on cards, due for release in the next few months.

The final section of the lecture was around Etienne's card in sealed bottle effects. A bottle production from under hank, a signed card appearing inside that full sealed tonic water bottle!! Etienne talked about the process and thinking behind producing cards inside sealed bottles, and also ran through an impromptu version of a signed card to wine bottle..

Over two hours flew past, with numerous 'double takes' from the audience when Etienne fooled us, its alwys nice to attend a lecture that is not only funny and humorous, but also fools you even when you can see what's coming. It is not surprising why Etienne Pradier is in high demand, and his lecture is truly wonderful, highly recommended.

Etienne Pradier can be booked for lectures through his site: www.frenchmagician.co.uk