"Wipeout" booklet by David Kemsley
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 3 Out of 10

"Wipeout", a pamphlet by David Kemsley, is an neat vanish with an ancient methodology made a bit more modern, but the performance and venue requirements may rule this one out for all but the most ardent performer of this one.

I'll be the first to admit that Kemsley makes this look good. It's a very clean vanish, leaving your hands completely empty, and it will work with a variety of small objects. And if you're of a mind to stay away from such usual gimmicks as reels and pulls and the like, "Wipeout" fits the bill.

The problem with "Wipeout", though, is in the restrictions the working places on the performance.

First up, this is a vanish, not a production. Due to the nature of the gimmick, you're not going to easily make come back what you easily made go bye-bye. That limits some of the things you might want to do with "Wipeout".

Second, the gimmick requires a very specific type, fit and color of clothing, namely a loose black t-shirt. Not a problem, perhaps, for the hobbyist or the casual performer, but for anyone dressing up in the least. Also, the gimmick requires some rather unusual modifications, beyond what is usually expected for this kind of thing, so you'll be doctoring that shirt a bit before "Wipeout" is ready to go.

Third, you've got to watch your lighting... carefully. Too much light, or any light directed from a certain angle, will tip this off before you even get started (as in, as soon as you walk up to someone). This is one where you'll need to consider all the details before you even put the shirt on.

Fourth, multiple vanishes can be problematic. At the risk of really tipping things off here, each additional vanish you perform runs an increased risk of exposure. A single vanish, maybe two, but after that you're pretty much taking your chances.

All of that, unfortunately, cripples "Wipeout" for most performers. It's a shame, really, because Kemsley started off with a neat update to an old gimmick but along the way the modernization created more problems than the original ever had (which usually requires nothing more than a jacket).

My advice? "Wipeout" is only worth the purchase if you can get past all of its failings. If even one is questionable to you, don't spend the money. Learn a good dtich instead and throw away a tiny bit of "Wipeout's" cleanliness for more versatility and practicality.

You'll thank me for it later.

"Wipeout" booklet by David Kemsley
In a Blink: 3 Out of 10

Material: 2
The vanish does look good, and the method is an updating/modernizing of an ancient way of doing things, but the clothing requirement and lighting conditions will hurt. Beat those and you've got a great vanish; unfortunately, beating them is going to be hard to do for most performers.

Quality: 4
The pamphlet is written well enough, though some of it would have benefited with better explanations. You'll likely have a problem here and there getting things down, but it's not insurmountable or especially frustrating.

Illustrations: 4
Same goes for the black-and-white photos. More would have been better here, but you can run with what you're provided.

Presentation: 5
It's all about the visuals here and what you make of them; Kemsley's done the former with a nice, clean vanish so you're left with the latter.

Shane