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Examine Box by Murphy's

Created by: Murphy's

Examine Box by Murphy's is a comedy prop designed for stand-up and parlour magic. The magician presents a seemingly ordinary cardboard box to the audience, asking them to examine it for any mirrors, trap doors, or hidden items like cards or rabbits. The audience confirms it's just a normal box, only for the magician to hilariously reveal that they missed all the hidden items inside, turning the classic 'examine this' magician's request into a comedic moment. This trick is perfect for adding humor and audience interaction to performances.

Key features

  • Comedy prop ideal for stand-up and parlour magic

  • Engages audience with interactive humor

  • Simple to perform with no complex sleight of hand required

  • Lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry to performances

Pros

  • Adds a unique comedic element to magic shows

  • Easy to perform, suitable for magicians of all levels

  • Strong audience interaction and engagement

  • Portable and easy to transport

Cons

  • Limited to comedic performances, may not suit all magic styles

  • Requires a confident performance to maximize the comedic effect

Effect

The Examine Box by Murphy's is a comedy prop designed to playfully mock magicians who ask spectators to examine objects. The magician presents a seemingly ordinary cardboard box and invites a spectator to inspect it. The spectator confirms there are no mirrors, trapdoors, or hidden items inside. The magician then dramatically reveals that the box actually contains playing cards, a rabbit, and mirrors—highlighting the irony of the spectator's initial examination.

Full Details

The Examine Box is a stand-up comedy prop that capitalizes on a common magician trope: asking the audience to inspect props for legitimacy. The box appears normal at first glance, but the magician can reveal hidden elements in a humorous way. The effect relies on timing and audience interaction, making it a versatile addition to comedy magic acts.

Who Should Consider the Trick

  • Comedy magicians who enjoy playful audience interactions.
  • Stand-up performers looking for a lighthearted way to engage crowds.
  • Close-up or parlor magicians who want a quick, visual gag.

Difficulty

The Examine Box is easy to perform, requiring minimal sleight of hand. The challenge lies in comedic timing and delivery. As reviewer Mark Travison from Saturn Magic notes, it’s an "amusing comedy prop" that works well with minimal setup.

What Magicians Say

  • Mark Travison (Saturn Magic) calls it "absolutely hilarious," praising its potential for audience interaction. He highlights how it plays on magicians' frequent requests for spectators to examine props.
  • The prop is described as a "stand-up parlor-type trick," making it suitable for performers who want a quick, visual laugh.

The Examine Box by Murphy's is a clever, low-effort comedy piece that adds humor to any magic routine. Its simplicity and strong comedic payoff make it a worthwhile addition for performers who enjoy playful deception.

What people are saying about Examine Box by Murphy's

SaturnMagicShop says...

Examine Box by Murphy's is an amusing comedy prop, appreciating its potential for audience interaction.

Review videos