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Triadic by Chris Wardle and James Ward

Created by: Chris Wardle, James Ward

Triadic is a mentalism book test created by Chris Wardle and James Ward, utilizing a seemingly ordinary book of poetry. The performer accurately deduces a word from the first line of a poem chosen by the spectator, identifies a dominant color and feeling associated with the poem, and reveals the final word through a game of Hangman. This trick is designed for close-up or remote performances, offering a versatile and engaging routine that requires no prior preparation or complex techniques. The method is cleverly hidden within the book itself, making it immediately performable.

Where to buy

TRIADIC by Chris Wardle and James Ward from Alakazam Magic
Alakazam MagicTRIADIC by Chris Wardle and James Ward£43.53
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TRIADIC by Chris Wardle and James Ward from Magicbox
MagicboxTRIADIC by Chris Wardle and James Ward£44.36
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Key features

  • Immediately performable with no prior preparation

  • Uses a seemingly ordinary book of poetry

  • Method is 'Hidden in Plain Sight' within the book

  • Three-phase routine with separate reveals plus a bonus reveal

  • No fishing, memory work, peeks, cribs, procedures, guessing, codes, or misses involved

  • Can be performed remotely or with the spectator’s back turned

  • Instructions integrated within the book

Pros

  • Versatile performance options (close-up, remote, etc.)

  • Engaging and interactive routine

  • Easy to learn with minimal practice required

  • Organic and believable prop (book of poems)

  • Potential to adapt principles into other effects

Cons

  • Book cannot withstand thorough inspection without risking exposure

  • Instructions within the book could be discovered by a curious spectator

Effect

Triadic is a book test that uses a standard book of poetry to create a series of impossible mental revelations. The performer never sees the chosen poem, yet accurately identifies a word from the first line, the dominant color and emotional tone of the poem, and finally the last word through a game of hangman. The routine feels organic and interactive, with the spectator freely selecting any poem from the book.

Full Details

Triadic was created by Chris Wardle and James Ward. It uses a standard book of poetry, making the prop appear ordinary and unassuming. The method is integrated into the book itself, described as "Hidden in Plain Sight" within the final chapters. The routine consists of three phases:

  • First Word Revelation – The performer identifies a specific word from the first line of the poem.
  • Emotion & Color – The performer deduces the emotional tone and a dominant color mentioned in the poem.
  • Final Word (Hangman Game) – The performer plays a game of hangman to reveal the last word of the poem, never losing.

    • No fishing, memory work, or complex techniques are required. The book can be inspected casually, though deep examination is discouraged.

    Who Should Consider the Trick

    Triadic is ideal for mentalists and magicians who want a self-contained, easy-to-perform book test. It works well in close-up, parlour, and even remote performances (via Zoom or phone). Those who enjoy interactive routines with strong psychological elements will appreciate its structure.

    Difficulty

    The trick is designed to be immediately performable. Sebastian from SaturnMagicShop estimates it takes about five minutes to learn. The first two phases are straightforward, while the hangman reveal requires minimal practice. No sleight of hand or advanced techniques are needed.

    What Magicians Say

    • MurphysMagicSupplies highlights the deceptive simplicity, calling it "immediately performable" with no complex methods.
    • SaturnMagicShop praises the interactive nature, noting the importance of presentation and psychological cues.
    • Sebastian Toca rates it 9.25/10, stating it’s "very fooling and engaging," with potential to adapt the principles into other effects. He also appreciates the organic feel of using a poetry book.

    Triadic offers a fresh take on book tests, combining simplicity with strong audience impact. Its versatility and ease of performance make it a strong choice for mentalists at any skill level.

    What people are saying about Triadic

    MurphysMagicSupplies says...

    The routine is designed to be immediately performable, requiring no prior preparation or complex techniques. Wardle and Ward emphasize that the method is 'Hidden in Plain Sight' within the final two chapters of the book itself, a clever design choice.

    SaturnMagicShop says...

    The core of *Triadic* revolves around a seemingly free selection of a poem from a book, followed by a series of mental processes that allow the performer to accurately deduce specific elements from the poem.

    sebastiantoca9208 says...

    Triadic is relatively easy to perform there's nothing really difficult here [...] I think with like 5 minutes of practice anyone can be able to do this without any issues.

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