The Meridian Technique by Mark Elsdon

How many times have you done a strolling gig, cocktail party or residency and performed for group after group, packed up, and left with no bang, no "wow", no feeling that you just killed them? Sure, everyone was impressed, but it just didn't seem to add up to much...

In The Meridian Technique I will teach you a technique I have refined and used over the last few years to create a lasting impression that will keep them talking about you and your magic for years after you walk out the door. It will have the people that pay you at the end of the gig knowing you rocked the house and want you back. It will have you leaving each gig feeling fantastic, knowing that you made the impression that you are one of the best magicians in the world. In the booklet, as well as explaining in detail the technique and the psychology behind it, I describe ten tricks I use and exactly how I use them.

On 'Reel Magic Magazine Vo1.' 1 Paul Harris talks about the importance of magicians featuring one stand-out item. Look at the Masters of the past and present... Keller, Thurston, Houdini, Copperfield, Blaine, Cyril - they all do multiple effects but feature and highlight one 'blockbuster' effect.

In my gigs I get great reactions throughout the crowd but I constantly build up for one larger effect they will see at the end. At that point everyone is excited and waiting to see a miracle that they have all had a part of by examining and signing objects and discussing the impossibility of what you propose to do. When you do this final 'lasting-impression' effect you make them realize you are head and shoulders above other magicians they might have seen. You make them realize they have seen something special. You make them feel part of things. You ensure that the person paying you knows they got their money's worth and wants to have you back.

As an example, imagine at a strolling gig you have every member of every group you work for examine and sign a borrowed coin and a borrowed bottle. You explain upfront exactly what you are going to do with that coin. Everyone sticks around to see if you can actually do it and sure enough at the end of the gig a crowd has gathered to watch you take the coin and bottle that have been thoroughly examined and signed and magically put the coin in the bottle. The place goes wild, the booker feels goodabout his smart decision to hire you, and you, the performer, finish on a high - with a BANG rather than a whimper. This takes the classic coin in bottle to a whole new miracle level.

All ten of the effects featured in the booklet are designed to 'play-big' and have you concluding your performance to a group of people rather than just a few. The cumulative effect of ending your gig with a final, larger trick expands the impact of your performance exponentially and reaps personal, performance and financial rewards.

Many top professionals from around the world with whom I have shared this technique have asked me NOT to release it as it is far too valuable. Without wanting to get precious about it, I think the Meridian Technique is TOO valuable not to release! My goal is to improve professional close-up magic performance and take it to a new level.

"The technique will change the way an audience perceives you as a magician. Whether you are an experienced close-up performer or just starting your career, The Meridian Technique is a must-read!"
- Peter Duffie - (MAGIC magazine, June 2009)