"Ascension" by Nick Langham
Suggested Retail USD$50.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Ascension", an effect by Nick Langham and the folks at Alakazam Magic, is a very clever combination of two idea with even more clever routining that adds up to a strong piece of magic.

Now I'm going to play with the description of how "Ascension" appears. The reason for that is the effect as described in the ad copy is notably weaker than the one taught on the DVD and, frankly, doesn't make much sense over a more traditional, one-deck version of the "rising card" plot. Here, then, is the version you want to read about:

"Ascension" begins with the performer showing two decks of cards, one red-backed and one blue-backed. One of the decks is chosen and the spectator goes through the face-down cards, dealing them face-up on the table as they go, until they stop (you're an innocent by-stander at this point -- the spectator does all the dealing here). The card stopped at is then set aside, face down, sight unseen. The second deck is held and, slowly, a single card rises from the middle of the deck. The tabled, face-down card is turned over and revealed to match the card that rose from the deck.

If you're asking yourself why the second deck, why not just do a standard card rise (from one of the thousands out there), then you're missing the presentational point that sells "Ascension" much more than it rightfully should. The presence of that unknown card, chosen in as free a manner as you could ask for, seems to make spectators go ga-ga. And that hook is what "Ascension" is really all about, the reason it plays, and why some spectators seem to have that beautiful brain-freeze we all like so much.

As to the working, that's where "Ascension" is going to cause love/hate relationships. It difficult to go into much detail without drifting off into the evil land of exposure, but I'll give it a shot.

First, if you're expecting some brand new, whiz bang device for effecting the rise, this ain't it. In fact, it could be argued that the gimmick used, an ancient one that you probably built yourself when you were a toddler with a ball and vase, is among the weakest used for the plot. However, and I can't state this strongly enough, what Langham has done with it has increased the amperage of the thing mightily. Still, it is what it is and some are likely to be disappointed with it. I was for the simple fact that wear and tear will break the thing eventually and I'm not looking forward to re-building it or buying another one.

Second, the force used will cause some pause, but without reason. The idea is an old one, by Al Koran, that has been slightly re-designed by Langham to work as it needs to with his re-tooling of the rising card gimmick. To be honest, this is an incredibly clean force and works beautifully in the spectator's hands. I loved the original and have used it before; it works and will continue to in Langham's version of it.

Third, the handling. This is not the easiest thing to do. It's not impossible, certainly, and once you've got it down "Ascension" really does become quite self-working. But getting that handling down can be a bear. The accompanying DVD illustrates it all nicely; just be prepared to put the nose to the proverbial grindstone on this one a bit.

Any one of these sticking points can make you feel like you got a lemon in "Ascension", but when you take it out for a spin, you'll experience something else going on, and that's the strength of the routine Langham's put together.

It's a simple idea, really, and one I'm sure has been thought of before (it's too simple not to at least be a germ of a thought somewhere along the line), but Langham has pulled it off: marry as clean a card force as you can imagine with a visible, animated card revelation and you get a child prodigy. That's what "Ascension" is at its core and it works wonderfully.

For that reason alone I recommend "Ascension" if you're looking for something really different for your spectators. This is a card trick beyond simply finding a selected card; it's close to magical theater and plays just as big.

"Ascension" by Nick Langham
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
The biggest drawback here is the need for two decks, one of which is gaffed and the other normal (except for the presence of the necessary gimmick, the only thing that contaminates the deck). The reset is instant, the set-up is quick and painless, and repetition is not an issue.

Workmanship: 9
The gimmick is very well made -- something of a trademark with Alakazam Magic -- but the nature of it means careful handling is required and, eventually, you'll be replacing it or repairing it eventually.

Documentation: 10
The documentation, a slickly produced DVD, is extremely well done with Langham going through every aspect of the handling thoroughly. An excellent job done here.

Effect: 8
There's no doubt about it: this thing plays and play big. However, it should be pointed out that the version taught on the DVD is not the one in the dealer ads and plays much, much better than the ad copy description.

Presentation: 10
This is just a neat idea: combine a very clean force with the rising card and wrap the whole thing in a sequence that, at first, seems to be a magical non sequitur.The end result is gorgeous.

Shane

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