The Button by Chris James and João Miranda

Created by: Chris James, João Miranda

The Button is a modern, interactive magic prop and performance system that reimagines the classic Mystery Box plot. In this close-up, parlor, or stage mentalism and card effect, a spectator presses a large red buzzer, triggering a sound and an impossible magical event—such as a card vanish, prediction, or transformation. This sequence can repeat, building suspense, until a climax where the button appears to break open to reveal the spectator's signed playing card inside. Designed as a complete system, it includes over 20 professional routines, emphasizes spectator interaction, and is fully customizable with user-uploaded sounds and cues. Buyers should note it requires no external setup or difficult sleight of hand, making it suitable for impromptu performances, with instant reset for repeatability.

Key features

Self-contained gimmick with no external setup needed
Includes over 20 professional routines by contributors like Craig Petty
Fully customizable with options to upload personal sounds and cues
Durable and reliable for real-world professional use
Suitable for close-up, parlor, and stage settings
Enables effects like predictions, card vanishes, and impossible locations
Exclusive handling tips from Chris James for advanced switches and reveals
Instant reset for quick repeat performances

Pros

Highly interactive, making the spectator an active participant in the magic
Versatile for various performance environments and effects
Clever and deceptive method for a direct, impossible-looking transformation
Builds strong audience reactions and psychological impact
Solves the common justification problem in Mystery Box effects by integrating the prop logically into the routine

Cons

Relies on a gimmick, which may not appeal to purists who prefer sleight-of-hand only
Customization requires additional effort to upload and manage sounds
May be perceived as expensive due to its comprehensive system and professional focus

Effect

The Button is a magic trick where a spectator presses a large red buzzer. Each press triggers a sound and an impossible magical event. The routine builds to a climax where the button appears to break open. Inside, the spectator finds their own signed playing card. The magic feels direct and personal because the spectator's action causes each effect.

Full details

The Button is a complete performance system created by Chris James. It includes over twenty professional routines developed by contributors like Craig Petty. The device is a durable prop built for real world use by working magicians. It is suitable for close up, parlor, and stage settings. The system is fully customizable. Performers can upload their own sounds and cues. Exclusive handling tips from Chris James teach advanced switches and reveals. These techniques use the prop's internal design for new magical possibilities.

Who should consider the trick

This trick is for working magicians who perform regularly. It is ideal for those who need a versatile prop for different settings. Magicians who enjoy interactive routines will find it valuable. The system benefits performers who want to build multi phase routines. It is also a good choice for those looking for a modern update to classic mystery box plots.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The Button is a self contained gimmick. It requires no external setup. No difficult sleight of hand is needed. The method is clever and deceptive. The reset is instant, allowing for quick repetition. Magic Orthodoxy states the effect is designed for impromptu performance. It is a reliable tool that delivers a strong magical moment with minimal effort.

What magicians say

Magicians praise The Button for its creativity and impact. David Regal calls it "an impossibility wrapped in an impossible to forget visual." Lloyd Barnes highlights that it solves a common justification problem found in other mystery box effects. Kyle Purnell states it is the "BEST version of this plot by FAR." Many reviewers, including Henry Harrius and David Jonathan, describe it as "GOLD" and a potential "trick of the year." Magic Orthodoxy recommends it as a solid investment for a powerful, visual trick. The STUMPED team concludes it is a significant release that reframes a classic premise into a modern and justified routine.

What people are saying about The Button

AlakazamMagicUK says...

The Button is a mentalism effect with a clean method, creating a strong psychological impact through participant choices and a surprising, impossible revelation.

itsallthingsmagic says...

The Button is a modern evolution of the Mystery Box, designed as a complete performance system. Spectators press a red buzzer to trigger sounds and impossible events, building to a climax where a signed card is discovered inside.

lloydb says...

The performance of The Button frames the routine around the question of whether a magic trick can be perfect, featuring genuine spectator reactions and emphasizing a flawless magical moment.

magicorthodoxy says...

The Button is a self-contained gimmick requiring no external setup or difficult sleight of hand. The effect is quick, visual, and powerful, suitable for impromptu performances with instant reset for repeatability.

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

The Button is praised as the best version of the mystery box plot, solving the common issue of the box having no justification beyond the reveal. It's an impossibility with a memorable visual, making it powerful, commercial, and fun.

SaturnMagicShop says...

The Button is a high-quality, commercially available trick aimed at working magicians, with involvement from respected creators like Chris James and Craig Petty.