Price$20.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedJul 16, 2008
The Gypsy Thread
Various
L&L Publishing
(Based on 3 reviews)
The Gypsy Thread (World's Greatest Magic)
Imagine owning the most comprehensive magic book ever written. This would surely be a treasured possession for any magician with each chapter focusing on a single aspect of the craft and the very best routines ever created for it. That's the idea behind L&L Publishing's critically-acclaimed DVD series, The World's Greatest Magic by the World's Greatest Magicians. Each volume is like another chapter in the world's best magic book. Featuring in-depth exposition and instruction on some of magic's most cherished and classic effects by its most-talented practitioners, this unprecedented series represents an essential reference work for anyone interested in the magical arts, regardless of their skill level.The effect that is commonly referred to as Gypsy Thread was first introduced into the literature of magic in 1584 by Provost and ever since, magicians - and presumably their audiences - have been fascinated and enchanted by the simple yet profound concept of a simple strand of thread being broken into small pieces and restored at the magician's fingertips.
On this DVD, you'll see six different interpretations of this straightforward and beautiful trick. Daryl begins with the classic version, complete with several significant Al Baker touches. Geoffrey Buckingham offers tips on how to make the Gypsy Thread the perfect cabaret trick while Bob Read adds his comedic genius. Henry Evans demonstrates his flashy - and completely clean - ending while Cellini teaches a stunning version using yards of thread that could play not only on the street but in the biggest theater. Finally, Eugene Burger performs a highly theatrical trick using the thread as an insightful metaphor.
Gypsy Thread is an iconic trick that can express different things in the hands of different performers and now, with the help of the gifted performers presented here, you'll be able to add this classic of magic to your own act.
- The Hindu Thread Trick - Daryl
- Gypsy Thread - Geoffrey Buckingham
- Gypsy Thread - Bob Read
- Torn and Restored Flash Thread - Henry Evans
- The Gypsy Thread (Street Style) - Cellini
- Shakespearean Thread - Eugene Burger (performance only)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
It's always fascinating to see another person's point of view on any one subject. It's interesting to see how different people can see the same thing in different ways. That's one of the cool things about the "World's Greatest Magic" (WGM) series by L&L Publishing. While on one hand it feels like a way to recycle product and make a few quick sales, on the other hand it's good to have all the best minds on the same plot.
If you read more reviews from me regarding the "World's Greatest Magic" series, you will find that they all start with these first few sentences so that each review will have the same background and foundation. So on to this particular DVD: Gypsy Thread.
Here we have 6 performers each with a different take on this classic plot.
Daryl (4.5) -
I liked Daryl's performance of this. It was nothing new or different really, but it was fun and entertaining, and he is very good at it. The method is pretty much undetectable.
Geoffrey Buckingham (2.5)
This version adds nothing new really. Just a kind of weak story for patter a less deceptive handling. He does, however, have some good tips on the type of thread to use and how to break it.
Bob Read (1)
This one is chock full of lame hackneyed puns that just aren't funny. As part of his patter, Read tells us a story of his childhood, but his delivery of the story is weak and completely artificial. Sure I know it's not a true story, but at least give it some feeling or connection. His performance and handling of this was weak and not very magical looking at all.
Henry Evans (4)
This one is done to music and uses Flash Thread which makes the finally prettier and 100% clean. I really like this idea. The only thing is that the handling is a bit awkward, but I think it wouldn't be hard to work out the kinks.
Celini (3)
This was an explanation only using much larger and thicker string. Though the explanation was a bit clunky, the idea is solid and allows this effect to play much bigger than any other version I've seen. However, the explanation of the preparation was a little unclear and kind of clunky. Additionally, the restoration starts off looking pretty good, but then it gets kind of messy. Plus the ending is a bit more "dirty" than other versions and it wasn't very clearly explained. The idea is good, but the teaching was not.
Eugene Burger (4.5)
This is a performance only piece. The is the best presentation of the Gypsy Thread that I've ever seen. Most people are pretty familiar with Eugene Burger's presentation. It's got guts and personality and tone and attitude and all the workings of a great effect, and the method is totally undetectable. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because we are not taught Eugene's handling. Though the most valuable thing to learn from his version IS the presentation, there are some nuances of his method that I would like to have seen taught on the DVD.
For $20 bucks you get 3 really good presentations of this effect and a few other nice little things. If you already do Gypsy Thread, you can skip this probably. However if you're considering it, then you'll find value here.
Final Verdict: 3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
If you read more reviews from me regarding the "World's Greatest Magic" series, you will find that they all start with these first few sentences so that each review will have the same background and foundation. So on to this particular DVD: Gypsy Thread.
Here we have 6 performers each with a different take on this classic plot.
Daryl (4.5) -
I liked Daryl's performance of this. It was nothing new or different really, but it was fun and entertaining, and he is very good at it. The method is pretty much undetectable.
Geoffrey Buckingham (2.5)
This version adds nothing new really. Just a kind of weak story for patter a less deceptive handling. He does, however, have some good tips on the type of thread to use and how to break it.
Bob Read (1)
This one is chock full of lame hackneyed puns that just aren't funny. As part of his patter, Read tells us a story of his childhood, but his delivery of the story is weak and completely artificial. Sure I know it's not a true story, but at least give it some feeling or connection. His performance and handling of this was weak and not very magical looking at all.
Henry Evans (4)
This one is done to music and uses Flash Thread which makes the finally prettier and 100% clean. I really like this idea. The only thing is that the handling is a bit awkward, but I think it wouldn't be hard to work out the kinks.
Celini (3)
This was an explanation only using much larger and thicker string. Though the explanation was a bit clunky, the idea is solid and allows this effect to play much bigger than any other version I've seen. However, the explanation of the preparation was a little unclear and kind of clunky. Additionally, the restoration starts off looking pretty good, but then it gets kind of messy. Plus the ending is a bit more "dirty" than other versions and it wasn't very clearly explained. The idea is good, but the teaching was not.
Eugene Burger (4.5)
This is a performance only piece. The is the best presentation of the Gypsy Thread that I've ever seen. Most people are pretty familiar with Eugene Burger's presentation. It's got guts and personality and tone and attitude and all the workings of a great effect, and the method is totally undetectable. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because we are not taught Eugene's handling. Though the most valuable thing to learn from his version IS the presentation, there are some nuances of his method that I would like to have seen taught on the DVD.
For $20 bucks you get 3 really good presentations of this effect and a few other nice little things. If you already do Gypsy Thread, you can skip this probably. However if you're considering it, then you'll find value here.
Final Verdict: 3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
(Top ▲)
In the latest march of DVD’s from L & L video comes a trick compilation of the Gypsy Thread. I love these types of videos. They are a great reference for anyone wanting to perform a certain trick. You get to watch a number of performers demonstrate and teach their handling of the trick. What could be better?
This DVD is great. The DVD quality is great, the teaching is clear, and its and awesome reference. If you want to perform the Gypsy thread, get this DVD.
This DVD is great. The DVD quality is great, the teaching is clear, and its and awesome reference. If you want to perform the Gypsy thread, get this DVD.
(Top ▲)
The Gypsy Thread, also known as The Hindu Threat (by Al Baker, as Daryl points out on this DVD), is a great trick. Not only will you learn it from watching the performances on this DVD, you'll find that there are several different ways in which it can be effectively presented. I found Daryl's explanation of the setup to be the most useful, but variety is the strength of this series, and you'll almost certainly find a variant that tickled your fancy.
This disc has one chapter that is explanation-only (Cellini) and one that is performance-only (Eugene Burger). And it is these two performers who take The Gypsy Thread to a whole new level; turning it into a showcase piece instead of a minor mystery. It's a shame that we don't get both parts of the story from these two, but it's a pretty good disc nonetheless.
This disc has one chapter that is explanation-only (Cellini) and one that is performance-only (Eugene Burger). And it is these two performers who take The Gypsy Thread to a whole new level; turning it into a showcase piece instead of a minor mystery. It's a shame that we don't get both parts of the story from these two, but it's a pretty good disc nonetheless.