Opening Act by Ben Sidwell

Effect

The audience sees a series of card tricks that feel fair and engaging. The performer uses ordinary objects like business cards. A selected card appears in the performer's pocket after they explain the concept of palming. Two separate cards signed by spectators become fused together into a single, impossible souvenir. A signed blank card acts as a link to a chosen card that is found burned and scarred inside the deck the audience has been holding.

Full details

Opening Act is a collection of eight essential card routines. The set is designed for different performance environments from bars to parlors. The tricks focus on audience influence and strong routine structure rather than gimmicks. The material includes persuasion-based mind reading, predictions with business cards, and card to pocket plots. A key part of the set involves the Chicago lineage of tricks, where two signed cards become one. The set also features spectator-led coincidences and a bizarre effect using a burned card. The philosophy behind the tricks prioritizes audience respect and creating tangible souvenirs.

Who should consider the trick

Magicians who perform close-up magic in various settings should consider this trick. It is good for performers who want a versatile set of card routines. It suits those who value audience interaction and creating memorable moments. Magicians interested in strong structure and leaving spectators with a physical souvenir will find it useful. It is also for those who appreciate tricks that use ordinary objects and focus on presentation over complex sleights.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty level varies across the different routines in the set. Some tricks rely more on presentation and audience management than difficult sleight of hand. The card to pocket routine involves palming, but the method is presented as a demonstration of skill and timing. The Chicago Opener and Anniversary Waltz combination requires careful handling to create the fused card effect. The Voodoo trick uses a burned card and requires precise setup. Overall, the set is accessible to magicians with a range of skill levels, with an emphasis on performance over technical difficulty.

What magicians say

Ben Sidwell discusses the set, stating it prioritizes "influence, structure, and audience respect over gimmicks." He explains that the card to pocket routine uses palming as theater, where "teaching the audience about palming during the routine actually raises suspense." He describes the Chicago Opener flowing into Anniversary Waltz as creating "a fused, impossible souvenir" designed for "repeat bookings and lasting memories." Regarding the Voodoo trick, he notes it provides "a powerful and memorable conclusion" using a signed blank card as a link. Ben also offers philosophical advice, asserting that "consent beats ego" when performing magic.