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Whitechapel by Jim Critchlow

Created by: Jim Critchlow

Whitechapel is a close-up card effect with a strong narrative theme, centered around the infamous Jack the Ripper story from Victorian-era Whitechapel. As seen by the spectator, a face (such as from a photograph or card) completely vanishes, leaving behind a blank space, creating a visually stunning and emotionally impactful moment of shock and amazement. This trick is designed to be quick-hitting, making it suitable for social media clips, close-up magic sets, or parlor performances, and it leverages a gimmicked method that requires specific props for execution. Buyers should note that it is created by Jim Critchlow, known for dark, story-driven mentalism and magic, and it emphasizes a memorable, direct visual payoff that audiences will talk about long after the performance.

Key features

  • Gimmicked photo/card effect requiring specific props

  • Quick-hitting routine ideal for social media or close-up sets

  • Strong narrative theme based on Jack the Ripper for enhanced storytelling

  • Visually stunning vanish of a face from a photograph or similar object

  • Designed to elicit strong emotional reactions like shock and amazement

Pros

  • Highly memorable and generates buzz among audiences

  • Simple, direct effect that is immediately understood by spectators

  • Versatile for various performance settings including close-up and parlor

  • Clever and well-constructed method praised by reviewers

Cons

  • Requires specific gimmicked props, which may limit impromptu performances

  • Not suitable for those who prefer non-gimmicked or self-working tricks

Effect

Whitechapel shows a spectator's face disappear from a photograph. The face vanishes completely, leaving a blank space. This creates a moment of shock and amazement for the audience. The effect is direct and visual.

Full details

Whitechapel is a magic trick created by Jim Critchlow. It uses a gimmicked photograph to achieve the vanish. The trick has a narrative theme based on the Jack the Ripper story from Whitechapel, London. This theme adds a dark and historical element to the performance. The method is clever and well constructed. The routine is quick to perform.

Who should consider the trick

Magicians who perform close-up magic should consider Whitechapel. It is also suitable for social media performances. Performers who enjoy story-driven magic and mentalism will find this trick appealing. Those looking for a trick that creates strong emotional reactions from audiences may want this effect.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

Whitechapel requires specific props to perform. The method is not overly complex. Magicians with basic sleight of hand skills can learn this trick. It does not need advanced technical ability. The presentation and story are important parts of the performance.

What magicians say

Alakazam Magic says Whitechapel is "so good and so much fun." They note the effect is "visually stunning and elicits strong reactions of shock and amazement." Reviewers state it is "a piece that everyone will be asking you about." They describe the method as "clever and well-constructed." Jim Critchlow is known for creating "powerful, often darkly themed mentalism and magic effects." The trick is noted for generating a "strong emotional reaction" from audiences.

What people are saying about Whitechapel

AlakazamMagicUK says...

This is a piece that everyone will be asking you about. [...] The effect is visually stunning and elicits strong reactions of shock and amazement.

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