Reviews & Testimonials:

Submitted by: Jim Coles
Homepage URL: http://www.geocities.com/magicanarchist

Comments: Hi, really like your site, just thought I'd take a minute to let you know. I'd also like to invite you to visit my site The Magic Anarchist. In the interim, good luck with your magic and God bless.

Submitted by: Barn & Beth
 
Comments: Ken, I received "CHANGE-O" today and I love it. I particularity like routine #2 with the nickel. Let me know what shipping would be for 2 dozen pennies since I anticipate performing this one a lot. Thanks Again Barn

Submitted by: Bob Rees
 
Comments: Just got "Change-O" in late Saturday. . and it looks GREAT! I think you did a wonderful job. Your ideas will make this a routine everyone can and should be doing. I know how hard of a job it is to bring something to marker. Best of luck on your venture. Magically Yours, Bob - The Wiz

 Submitted by: John
  
                        Comments: Well, your square circle arrived today, in perfect condition. And it's absolutely beautiful!! I have it set up right in front of me, and can't stop looking at it. Really a fine job. It's going to take some practice handling, just because the size means weight, but no problem there. I'm sure before long I'll be tossing it around with no problem. The review I write up for it will be at www.magictalk.com, on the Reviews page. I'll try to get it written up today, but it usually takes Bryan about a week to get the reviews printed on the page. Just the same, as soon as it is up for reading, I'll let you know. Also, I'll try to get a pic of me using it as soon as the shows come in. I must say, the pics on your website just don't do it justice. The blue is much more sparkly than I realized, and matches my cases perfectly, which are a bit lighter blue. The sides and the back are also really attractive and magical looking. I'll mention all this in my review. Thank you so much. I am really pleased, and will be proud to use this in my shows. John

Submitted by: John Evernden

Comments: Ken Reedy makes a new product, which he calls the "Square Circle Plus". It's actually a modification on the apparatus we all know and love. After doing some research on the Square Circle, he decided to fit the load chamber so it could be used in the currently popular form for producing an amazingly large production load from the apparatus, and also used, in the same presentation, for producing a large static load such as a bush or pot of real flowers, or a small animal. There are two sizes available, a parlor size, and a stage size. Both feature a Plexiglas platform, black material with gold Mylar trim, and legs to raise it off the performing area, proving the load does not come from within the table or stand. On top of the tray sits the usual "square" part, which in this case is a beautiful deep blue sparkly finish, with grillwork. The two sides and the back are Black with wide gold border, and a picture of a top hat and a magician's wand. The "square" is actually a 4-fold screen, so when you lift it off to show it's empty, it can be opened up to show all sides flat. The "circle" is a chromed Plexiglas tube, with a beautiful mirror finish. The load chamber is also Plexiglas, finished with black flannel material, and is invisible with in the 11" square, looking into the grillwork I have seen a lot of square circles in my time, as I am sure you have, too. But this is one of the most beautiful ones I have seen. It's not gaudy or glitzy looking as some of them are, but is really magical and professional in its appearance. And very solidly made, too. Ken made me a slightly larger one, custom sized, to hold my Botania. I am very proud of this apparatus, and will be pleased to present it for sometime to come. Whether you go for the parlor or larger stage sized "Square Circle Plus", 1 know you will be pleased with its appearance and handling, and the sturdiness of its design. And you'll also be able to impress both magicians and lay audience who think they have seen it all before, with two large productions. A standard production, and a pot of real flowers, or a small animal. This is a beautiful and well-made utility prop. Highly recommended.

Submitted by: Online-Visions

At: http://www.online-visions.com/reviews/0203chango.html

Ken Reedy 's "Change-O"

"This'll never go over."

Those were my famous last words when I first looked at Ken Reedy's "Change-O". In fact, I was so dubious that I spent much longer working with it than I have any other effect I've reviewed. Not that the handling or the gimmick were so foreign -- commonplace begins to describe them -- but because I just had no confidence in this carrying any kind of impact.

Oops.I took "Change-O" out for a spin at a some gatherings, and the impact was much better than I expected, though for the life of me I can't fully tell you why. Of course, I'm not one to over-analyze things; if the audience likes it, then I like it. And brother, they like it lots.The effect of "Change-O" varies (Reedy includes several routines and handlings), but the basic premise is that a U.S. nickel changes to a silver penny. Yep -- a silver penny. Now, this can be done under the cover of a blue disk, or it can be done by tapping with a soda straw, or any number of ways (if you let your mind play with "Change-O" as you allow your fingers, several ideas will come to you). If you re-read that sentence, you'll know that the methodology here is old and classic, but don't let that bring a pause to your thinking: "Change-O" , with the addition of the silver penny, becomes something very different.It's that point that I didn't see until I performed this one. After all, how visual can an effect be when one silver coin changes to another? How much less visual is it when the two coins are close to the same size when viewed from a distance? But the look on the spectators' faces when they pick up the coin to see it's no longer a nickel, that things have subtlety yet drastically changed, shows that such questions are minor in this case. The reaction can be something strong enough to make this a favorite.The hardest thing about "Change-O" is getting over the bugbear of why in the world would you want to change a nickel into a silver penny? Where's the logic? Done without a good framing, this can come across as nothing more than neat. You'll have to spend the time to come up with a reason that makes sense to you and your audience, but the impact is worth it. Of course, you can also opt for one of the routines where a borrowed penny turns to silver, which is absolutely logical, but you'll also be short-changing your audience from an elongated moment of astonishment. Once I came up with a proper premise, I didn't even give the copper-to-silver routine another glance.Some final thoughts about "Change-O" are in order. First, you receive enough of those beautiful silver pennies to give out as keepsakes -- do so; it makes a great memento of the occasion (much better than signed cards). Also, ditch the blue disk -- the routines without that particular prop play much better, although you'll have to put in a bit of time with minor construction and practice. Last, don't be too quick to pass this one by -- for the investment in money and time you could have a reputation maker.

Ken Reedy's "Change-O" is available from direct from Ken Reedy at Magic by Ken for around $8.00.

"Change-O" by Ken Reedy
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

Practicality: Excellent (10)
Let's see: minimal reset, able to be performed virtually anywhere, with a minimum of props and fumbling. Not much else you could ask for in this effect.

Workmanship: Very Good (8)
The coins supplied with "Change-O" are beautifully manufactured and look great; the blue disk used supplied for use in some of the routines did not perform up to snuff. No big loss since you're likely to shun the disk in favor of one of the other handlings.

Documentation: Excellent (10)
Reedy's instructions are explicitly clear and wonderfully concise. Reedy unapologetically leaves the presentation and patter to the performer, which, while adding to the time needed before you're ready to perform "Change-O", ensures you're going to end up with a one-of-a-kind piece of magic. For something as utilitarian as this, such an omission is a must.

Effect: Very Good (8)
The power of the effect varies with which routine you go with, of course. The weakest routine is still good enough in most cases, while the strongest routine brings about a nice delay-reaction that ends with a gasp. Your skill -- and patience -- will determine which routine you feel comfortable with, but if you've got the experience to match those, then you'll find yourself coming up with more routine for this than you can shake a stick at.

Presentation: Very Good (8)
Reedy worked to provide an effect that could be presented well, and did a very credible job. As with the power of the effect, the presentation will vary from good to excellent, but the overall impact of the routines is solid business provided you put the time in to sell the effect.

Originality: Very Good (8)
The methods and the handlings are venerable -- chances are you received something close to this in a magic set or three. However, the addition of the silver penny is an interesting twist that deserves its just due; it's a good thought for a very slick prop.

Shane

© 2004.