The Magic Is Timeless. The Props, NOT SO MUCH.

Most students of magic have a soft spot for the classics. Study the work of the great performers from the early 1900s, and you'll find some incredible sleight of hand. A lot of those routines were built around ordinary objects of the time. Cigarettes, pipes and cigars were simply things people carried and used every day. Nate Leipzig's Cigars from Purse is a perfect example. It's visual, surprising and completely self contained. One of the things we love about Nate Leipzig's magic is that he worked with objects his audience recognized. But everyday things to the people 1910 might look less ordinary, or less acceptable in society today. But also, I don't think the methods and ideas behind these classic routines become less amazing just because some of the props have become dated. Sometimes all that's needed is a little imagination and a different object. Today, especially if you perform for families, schools, libraries or other public events, tobacco or even any inferences of such may not be something you want to bring into your act. Cigars and cigarettes did lend themselves to some fantastic sights and sleights... not only because of their recognizability but also because they are the perfect size to learn manipulation moves, and help you develop much needed sleight of hand skills ...making them perfect training tools! So train with 'em!

Then take those skills and apply that knowledge and energy to something else!

That's exactly why we created the Twix from Purse Set, and the Santa's Peppermint Purses. The basic idea and visual surprise are still there: you show a tiny purse and produce something bigger from inside. But instead of producing a cigar, you produce a Twix bar (or peppermint stick). It still has that wonderful "Where did THAT come from?" moment, but these props feel more at home in a modern family show. And there are a couple practical advantages, too.  Real candy would be a mess to carry around in a pocket or prop case. It can melt, get crushed, go bad... or maybe you get hungry! Our Twix bars and peppermint sticks are handmade by Steve... inedible, practical replicas designed specifically for the routine. 

We also offer Twix with Bites, which gives you a few more possibilities for comedy and presentation and can be used like running gags. The bitten and broken ends can add another visual surprise, and of course there is always the Left Twix vs. Right Twix debate if you want to have some more fun with it. These are included in our DEAL OF THE MONTH for SEPTEMBER!

The Same Idea Applies to Other Classic Props. Tobacco isn't the only thing that can make an old routine feel out of place today. For years, one traditional kicker ending for a Malini Egg Bag routine involved producing a shot glass filled with whiskey. That's a great ending in the right setting, but it's probably not the best choice when you're standing in front of a room full of children. That's why we introduced the Final Shot Juice Tumbler. The idea is the same, but instead of producing a shot glass which is traditionally associated with alcohol, you produce a clear tumbler filled with something like orange juice or chocolate milk. You still get the surprise of producing a "glass full of liquid", but the prop can fit comfortably into a wider range of performances. 

While we're talking about updating props, let's talk about something else magicians occasionally struggle with: things wear out. Rubber breaks down. Paint gets chipped. Latex eventually deteriorates. Cups get dented. Fabric gets dirty. Things that are stretched, folded, loaded, palmed, dropped, wanded, stuffed into pockets and dragged around from show to show eventually do reach the end of their useful life. I know this is hard to hear but that's not a defect. That's just the nature of working props. The good thing is, your props are tools of your trade. And, depending on your individual circumstances, they may even be a business expense! (disclaimer; I am NOT a tax preparer or CPA so do not take financial advice from me...but save your receipts).

I can't buy a single razor and expect to shave my legs with it for the next ten years. Eventually, I replace the blades. We replace tires and towels. We replace worn out shoes and clothes. We replace toothbrushes. Somehow, though, a magician can buy a prop twenty years ago, use it hundreds if not thousands of times, and then be genuinely shocked when it finally needs to be replaced. Many classic magic props were never intended to last forever. Some are made from materials that simply have a lifespan. And even the best handmade prop will eventually show its age if you use it regularly.

The trick may be timeless. The prop isn't. So if you've been using the same rubber, latex, fabric or other working prop for years...and it is finally worn out...remember to save your receipts for your tax man!
So it might just be time to get back ups. Or, better yet, get a backup before you need one. And that's okay. In fact, if you love a routine enough to wear the prop out, that probably means you got your money's worth.

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TWIX FROM PURSE

PEPPERMINT PURSES

LEIPZIG CIGARS

PERFECT PURSES