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"The World-Famous Bowl Routine" by Lance Pierce
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available direct from Lance Pierce Magic
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

This is volume one in The Professional Entertainment Series. In a nutshell (or should I say, a lemon rind), this is a wonderful book! First, let me address the format and layout of the book itself. And notice that I used the word book for that is what this is: a full-size, spiral bound book of over 80 pages, not a half-sized instruction booklet of 5 or 10 pages. Lance has done something very cool with this that I have never seen before. The pages are cut about 1/3 down from the top. The bottom section has the text, while the smaller top section has the illustrations. This allows you to turn the pages of each section independently, which is a nice feature, since Lance is extremely detailed in his explanation. You don't have to keep flipping around to see the illustrations when the text refers to them--they're right there at the top for as long as you need them! very clever and very helpful. Lance did the illustrations himself and they are exceptional, every bit as good as any magic illustrations in the literature.

As I stated above, Lance goes into great detail to explain every nuance of the routine. Rank beginners will be able to follow along, and experts will marvel at little touches and psychology they likely had not previously considered. As with all of his work, the writing is exceptional--Lance is right at the top of the list of the best writers in magic as far as I'm concerned. I simply cannot imagine anyone having any difficulty comprehending the instruction, and the clear writing along with the clear, beautiful illustrations make this book as close to personal instruction as one could hope for--even better than video footage in my opinion, as he goes into detail here that the time constraints of a video simply wouldn't allow.

OK, so clearly I am very impressed with the production qualities and layout of the book itself. What about the routine? Quite simply, it is outstanding! How good? Bill Malone (a man that I think we all agree is very successful and knows his stuff) says in the forward of the book, "This routine kills. If you're a professional magician, there's no better trick to get the money than this one." I'd say that's pretty high praise. I'd also say it's warranted.

The effect? Well, it's a Benson bowl routine that culminates in the appearance of a lemon in which is found a spectator's signed bill. But that's a bit like saying that the Grand Canyon is a big ditch in the American Southwest. The description doesn't really do justice to the construction, pacing, flow, presentation and audience management built in to this routine. This is truly a lesson in how to be a better magician. Think the Ron Bauer Series, but with the booklet made into a detailed 80 full-paged book with 78 illustrations!

In addition to the main routine, there is a very good sponge ball routine included as a bonus. It's a nice addition, since the main routine uses sponge balls. While I have my own sponge routine that I have used for years and don't plan on doing a different one, I can highly recommend Lance's routine for anyone wanting to learn magic with sponge balls. Even if you have your own routine, odds are good that you'll want to use segments or touches from Lance's. If nothing else, studying its construction and psychology will make your own routine better.

To sum up, this is a wonderful volume that is worth every penny of the asking price several times over. I gibe it my unreserved highest recommendation. I eagerly anticipate future installments in this series! I truly believe that, along with this one, they will become "classics!"

The World-Famous Bowl Routine is available directly from Lance Pierce Magic $20 plus shipping.

Material: 10
This is a routine that no less an authority than Bill Malone praises as “without a doubt the most requested routine in the history of Malone’s Magic Bar” and “no better trick to get the money."‘Nuff said!

Quality: 10
If you are not yet familiar with Lance Pierce, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised. If you are familiar with him, you’ll be pleased, because I guarantee this will meet or exceed your high expectations! The routine is of the highest caliber, as is the writing.

Illustrations: 10
Simply outstanding. Every bit as good or better then any other magic illustrator. They are large enough to see easily and very clear, assisting the text nicely.

Presentation: 10
This is a beautifully routined and presented showpiece. Listen gang, if you’ve someone like Bill Malone raving about your stuff, you can rest assured that it is killer stuff!

Originality: 10
OK, it’s a Benson Bowl routine and a Bill in Lemon routine (and a bonus sponge ball routine)—how original can it be? Well, if you’re using the word originality in its strictest sense, almost nothing in magic would apply. Lance wasn’t trying to have an original effect here, but he succeeds in making the effects into original routines.

Scott Guinn