Professor’s Nightmare (The Awakening) by Dan Harlan

Created by: Dan Harlan

Professor’s Nightmare (The Awakening) is a visually stunning rope magic trick that defies logic, perfect for stage or parlor performances. The trick involves three ropes of different lengths that magically appear to change sizes right before the audience's eyes, culminating in a baffling and clean finale. Created by Dan Harlan, this routine is designed to be both visually engaging and easy to carry, making it a great addition to any magician's repertoire.

Key features

Clean and baffling rope routine
Designed for stage or parlor performances
Comes with a detailed script for easy learning
Visual and easy to carry, rolls up to fit in your pocket

Pros

Highly visual and baffling to audiences
Comes with a professional script for performance
Easy to carry and reset for quick performances
Suitable for both beginners and experienced magicians

Cons

May require practice to master the handling
Rope magic can sometimes be perceived as puzzle-like by some audiences

Effect

The Professor’s Nightmare (The Awakening) by Dan Harlan is a visually striking rope routine where three ropes—one short, one medium, and one long—are shown to the audience. Despite their obvious differences in length, the magician manipulates the ropes in a way that defies logic, making them appear to change lengths instantly. The effect is clean, baffling, and leaves spectators questioning how such an impossible transformation could occur.

Full Details

This version of the classic Professor’s Nightmare routine is designed for stage or parlor performances. It includes a well-structured script by Dan Harlan, making it accessible even for performers new to rope magic. The trick requires minimal setup, resets quickly, and the ropes can be rolled up and carried in a pocket, making it practical for working professionals. The routine is highly visual, with no suspicious moves or hidden counts, ensuring a strong magical impact.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Stage and Parlor Performers: The routine is ideal for magicians who need a visually engaging trick that plays well for larger audiences.
Beginners to Rope Magic: The clear methodology and script make it a great entry point for those new to rope effects.
Working Pros: Its quick reset and portability make it a reliable addition to any act.

Difficulty

The trick is rated as moderate in difficulty. While the basic moves are straightforward, mastering the timing and presentation to maximize the effect requires practice. Dan Harlan’s included script helps streamline the learning process, making it manageable for performers of varying skill levels.

What Magicians Say

Jonathan Levit praised the routine’s cleanliness, calling it "real magic" due to its open handling and lack of suspicious moves.
Alex Kirk from Monster Magic highlighted its practicality, noting that it’s a "Sure Fire" trick for stage performers looking to add a strong visual piece to their act.
Dan Harlan’s script was commended for making the routine engaging and easy to follow, even for those unfamiliar with rope magic.

The Professor’s Nightmare (The Awakening) is a standout rope routine that combines strong visuals with practical performance features, making it a valuable addition to any magician’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Professor’s Nightmare (The Awakening)

Alex Kirk says...

Professor’s Nightmare (The Awakening) by Dan Harlan is a clean, baffling rope routine that defies logic. It's one of the first tricks I ever bought and it's still one of my favorites for stage performances.

Jonathan Levit says...

This is slick. I hate rope tricks, but this one looks like real magic. It's very clean and open, and you can make them different sizes just by running them through your hands.

Nick Einhorn says...

Creativity in magic comes from obsession—constantly refining ideas until they become performance-ready. Professor’s Nightmare is a great example of a trick that's been refined to perfection.