Pegasus Page by Arthur Emerson

Effect

The Pegasus Page is a mentalism effect. A spectator chooses a word from a book or magazine. The performer then reveals that word in an impossible way. The word can appear on a different page, on a separate piece of paper, or in the spectator's own mind. The effect creates a strong moment of apparent mind reading or psychic ability.

Full details

The Pegasus Page is a classic mentalism routine. It is often built into specially prepared books or magazines. These props look ordinary to the audience. The performer does not need to see the spectator's chosen word. The method allows the performer to know the word or to control its selection. The effect can be performed in different settings. It works for close-up magic and stage shows. Versions of the Pegasus Page are included in several magic products. These include Josh Zandman's Universal Monsters book test series and Chris Philpott's Odyssey magazine.

Who should consider the trick

The Pegasus Page is good for mentalists and magicians. It is suitable for performers who want a strong mind reading effect. It works for family shows and adult audiences. Luke Oseland uses it in his stage shows. He reframes it so spectators appear to read each other's minds. This makes the trick more participatory. Bill Abbott includes it in his repertoire for its playful and engaging quality. The trick is also good for performers who use book tests. The Universal Monsters series and Odyssey magazine offer built-in versions. These products minimize the need for memorization.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty depends on the version. Some versions require no memory work. The method does the work for the performer. Josh Zandman's book test series is designed for ease of use. Michael O'Brien states it "prioritizes ease of use, minimizing the need for memorization." The props are made to reveal information to the performer. Basic performance skills are still needed. The performer must present the effect clearly. Managing spectator interaction is important. The method itself is not technically difficult. The challenge is in the presentation and timing.

What magicians say

Magicians praise the Pegasus Page for its impact and versatility. Luke Oseland includes it in his professional set. He uses it to create a moment where spectators seem to read each other's minds. Michael O'Brien reviews the built-in version in the Universal Monsters books. He calls it "a built-in version of the classic Pegasus Page effect, occurring within the spectator's hands." Bill Abbott performs it as part of his versatile routines. Reviewers of the Odyssey magazine note its inclusion as a key feature. One reviewer calls it "a strong mentalism effect with visual elements." Jorge Garcia, a mentalist known as 'The Jack,' features his version on his DVD. The effect is recognized as a powerful tool for creating a memorable moment of magic.