John’s lecture was entitled K.I.S.S. which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. John started by talking about how when he got back into magic, after a long break to run his own advertising business, he realised that he needed to keep the methods to his magic simple so he could concentrate on the presentation. He also talked about how he tried to make his magic visual, as he found this worked best in noisy venues. He started by showing some examples of this, Don Alan’s Coat Hanger in Purse, Self-Folding Bill and a Fire Wallet, as good visual routines and ideal openers.

John went on to perform his Stagger-Ring which is a stunning Ring on Lace routine that finishes with the ring literally jumping onto the cord. John’s Pen through Mirror was a lesson in how to take a well-known effect, and amplify the presentation to make it into a miracle. The Fastest Card Trick in the World was a handling for a Stephen Tucker/Lubor Fielder card change, where four kings turned into four spot cards. As a tribute to Jack Avis, John’s brother-in-law, he showed Jack’s Okito Box move, which has to be simply one of the best turnover handlings, so simple and cheeky, yet so brilliant, a clear hallmark of Jack’s thinking. Nate Leipzig’s Magnetic Cards was shown as an example of a powerful and striking card effect, and John then went on to demonstrate a similar effect, his version of the Anti-Gravity glasses, done with simple props, two glasses, a wallet and some bank notes.

John’s Coins Across routine took a variation of David Roth’s handling and added a large Wine Glass to make this into a theatrical piece. John closed his lecture with two card effects. His handling of Nick Trost’s Eight Card Brainwave, was suitable for stage work, done with very large jumbo cards. Finally John showed a very direct card prediction, utilising Bob Swadling’s Changing Cards to good effect.Eddie thanked John for a wonderful evening, and for showing us that we can keep our magic simple yet still gain maximum effect.