Vanishing Inc. Magic Blog

12 Days of Masterclass - Day 1 (Morgan & West - "Three Shell Game")

By Vanishing Inc. -

The 12 Days of Masterclass - Day 1

You can win a FREE YEAR OF VANISHING INC. MASTERCLASS!

Every day, we'll be posting a full performance from one of our bestselling Masterclasses. We want to get some discussion going. So, let us know your favorite part of the routine below.

Then, on Christmas Day, we'll be doing a vote for the best overall performance. Everyone who votes in that contest will be entered to win a FULL YEAR OF MASTERCLASS FOR FREE.

We start with the incomparable Morgan & West's one-of-a-kind "Three Shell Game Routine".

Get the "Morgan & West Masterclass"

Reader comments

Bruce Gauthier

Bruce Gauthier

Recreating a "Who's On First" moment with one, two, three, four, five green peas. Brilliant!

I thought it was, as usual for this dynamic duo, hilarious. I have always loved and toyed with the concept of turning a magic trick into a failure, but the "magic" that the magician does not expect, messes them up. I also thought it was a great idea to combine cups and balls with the shell game. Since "accidental magic failure" I don't know what else to call it) is probably one of the funniest and most impressive things you can do in comedy magic, I've toyed around with this idea a lot because it is much more difficult to do as a solo magician. For a solo magician I would say anything along the lines of Object to Impossible location, and having something else appear for that "Impossible Location" is good. For example if it were a bill inside of a lemon, and you try to produce one under a cup or in midair but a metal ball (or something that is difficult to open) appears, you can state the obvious or be confused and mimic the "magical action" and pretending to see where you went wrong. I hope any comedy magic performers found this useful or intriguing!

Jonathan Golib

Jonathan Golib

Morgan and West have concocted a Lasgna effect!! There are so many layers to this effect, that it is deliciously devious and scrumptiously baffling. My favorite aspect of this routine is how they bring the audience into an unassuming Masterclass of a close up effect that magically transforms into a stage effect right before their very eyes. Just when you think you know where the effect is headed they Hitchcock/Tarantino you with pyrotechnic visual euphoria!

Colby Higgs

Colby Higgs

This is just fabulous!

Ted Deeley

Ted Deeley

Quite original and well thought out. Great routine for family and children audiences.

Ben Levy

Ben Levy

Green pea finale was great!

I am always interested in adding a little comedy to a magic show, it is not only entertaining but magical. The finale here was a hit!! Thanks for highlighting the great Morgan and West.

Jonathan Golib

Jonathan Golib

I love the ending of this effect too! Completely unexpected and amazing!

Cory Lima

Cory Lima

I really enjoy the banter between the two of them on stage, it really brings a lot of entertainment to the routine.

I agree! I think arguing on stage (in an obviously comedic manor) is always something the audience loves!

I love the synchronization of them. It must of taken hours of practice to get it as good as they got it.

Richard Pellicaan

Richard Pellicaan

Just as lovely as their book is.

Lawrence DMello

Lawrence DMello

I love the built in misdirection. Even though we know the method, it is still good to watch and admire the performance—a joy to witness!

John Staiger

John Staiger

Very entertaining routine from the production of the lemons to the surprise load of the peas at the end. I liked the premise of a 3 shell game and turning into a stage/parlor version of the cups and balls.

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