Bane by Jamie Daws

Effect

Bane is a murder mystery-themed magic trick that involves audience participation. The magician presents a scenario where one of four participants is "poisoned" using a golden cherry placed in a cocktail shaker. The magician then deduces who the "murderer" is, culminating in a surprising twist where it’s revealed that the magician influenced someone else to commit the act. The trick is designed to be highly interactive, engaging, and visually appealing, with a strong narrative that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Full details

Bane is a stage or parlor routine that typically lasts 8-10 minutes. It involves four participants who each hold a cocktail shaker containing a cherry. One of the cherries is secretly replaced with a golden "poison" cherry by a spectator, unbeknownst to the participants. The magician then uses a combination of humor, drama, and misdirection to deduce which participant has the poisoned cherry. The trick concludes with a twist, revealing that the magician influenced the spectator to choose a specific participant, leaving the magician with a clean alibi. The routine comes with custom-made props, including cocktail shakers, cherries, and a carry case, making it easy to transport and set up.

Who should consider the trick

Bane is ideal for magicians who perform in stage or parlor settings and enjoy interactive, narrative-driven routines. It’s particularly well-suited for those who have a flair for storytelling and can engage an audience with humor and drama. The trick is versatile enough to work in a variety of settings, from corporate events to theater shows, and can be adapted to fit different performance styles. It’s also a great choice for magicians looking to add a longer, more impactful routine to their repertoire.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

Bane is relatively easy to perform in terms of technical skill, as it doesn’t require complex sleight of hand or advanced magic techniques. However, it does require strong audience management skills, as the trick relies heavily on spectator participation. The magician must be comfortable handling multiple participants on stage and keeping the audience engaged throughout the routine. The presentation is key, so performers should be confident in their storytelling and ability to deliver a compelling narrative. The trick comes with a detailed tutorial, live performance footage, and multiple presentation ideas, making it accessible even for those new to stage magic.

What magicians say

Magicians who have performed Bane praise its versatility and audience appeal. Craig Petty from Magic TV describes it as "super clever" and "completely foolproof," noting that it’s a great routine for both stage and close-up settings. He also highlights the built-in humor and drama, which make it a crowd-pleaser. Daniel Chard, a card magician, mentions that Bane is a staple in his stage show, particularly because it allows him to incorporate his background in murder mystery acting. He appreciates the simplicity of the method, which lets him focus on the performance and audience interaction. However, some magicians, like Matt Clly, have noted that the trick can be challenging if the wrong spectator is chosen, emphasizing the importance of audience management. Overall, Bane is widely regarded as a strong, well-polished routine that can be adapted to fit different performers’ styles.