"Teardrop" ebook by Don Theo III
Suggested Retail USD$10.00
Available from Lybrary.com
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

Don Theo III has produced a short ebook manuscript called Teardrop, containing half a dozen mentalism and mental magic effects, along with an interesting theatrical technique for adding emotion to your performance.

First up is The Parking Lot Act. This is Don’s handling of a well-known Corinda effect. In Don’s presentation, a freely chosen word in a book is found to be the same as one discovered in that day’s newspaper. After you set it up it’s an easy effect to achieve. “This is,” says Don, “ideally, a brilliant publicity stunt.” I think he could be right.

Next, we have Rapport Apport. This is basically a card trick, but an interesting one. Two people think of a card. You also choose one, show it the first spectator, then the second, but it’s wrong in both cases. Placing it between the palms of one spectator’s hands, you ask both to name their card aloud. They’re the same, as is yours! The effect is impressive, but you’ll need to be a bit of a cardician to make it work as it relies on one or two moves that need skill and practice.

The third effect starts out as a monologue called Australia. This has a tear-jerking story about being separated from a friend, and focuses on the ability to name a chosen card directly – even over the phone. However, the actual effect, when we get to it, is essentially a Richard Osterlind piece, which Don credits. Don also says you can use other, well-known techniques. If I go into detail, it’ll give the secret away, but in this part of the manuscript, I’d have appreciated a little more depth on the method.

Leading on from this is the PCT Clock effect. This is Don’s presentation of another Osterlind effect, though again, this is achievable by a variety of methods. The theme here is a clock and it’s a nice little presentation.

Card Through Person is probably the best described effect in the manuscript. You can probably guess the plot, and it’s based on a Harry Lorayne effect, which Don has permission to reproduce. He’s taken it further, though. The spectator lies on two chairs and a card magically passes through her stomach. Again, there’s a secret move involved, but not a difficult one.

Next is the technique that gives the manuscript its title – Teardrop. This is a detailed instruction on the art of crying on demand. I like this, as without it, the nature of the Australia effect mentioned above could appear a little schmaltzy. It’s not difficult to do, and you’ll be crying buckets in no time.

The penultimate effect is Pirate Séance. This is an interesting presentation, inspired by Jim Callahan, involving something from Annemann, which you’ll have to construct. It’s not difficult, and Don also points you to another version by Cassidy.

Finally, there’s an encore effect called The Cat’s Eye using a device that many working mentalists will have about their person when performing. Basically, the spec goes into another room, shows a drawing to your pet cat, brings the cat back with them, you stare into the cat’s eyes and reproduce the image.

Throughout the manuscript, there’s an assumption that you’ll have at hand several other works or skills. While Annemann and Corinda are two that all mentalists should have, you may need knowledge of a couple of Osterlind publications, one by Cassidy, an Outlaw effect, and have the ability to perform some nifty card sleights.

Does this make the manuscript bad? Not in my opinion. It makes it more suitable for experienced workers. Others may feel frustrated that they need access to other sources of information, but I have them all and was able to look up the necessary things as I worked through the document.

"Teardrop" booklet by Don Theo III
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

Material: 8
There’s a good mix of material here, with a classic feel. Teardrop itself is a nice addition and could help push your more emotional work away from having a mawkish feel to being genuinely engaging. The look and feel of the manuscript is more a set of notes than a finished product. Some may like that, some may not.

Practicality: 10
All the effects presented are entirely practical. One or two need some set up, with The Parking Lot Act taking the most.

Documentation: 7
This isn’t a manuscript for beginners and the depth of explanation reflects that. If you’re a working mentalist, you should have no problems, but beware those effects that rely on sleights.

Effects: 8
An interesting mix of mentalism and cards.

Presentation: 8
This is more a manuscript more detailing Don’s thoughts on the presentation of these effects than the effects themselves.

Originality: 6
As many of the effects are simply new presentations for old effects, I can’t score this highly for originality of method, but the presentation ideas are good, and will also serve as starting points for your own creativity to begin weaving patter in your own image.

Jon Thompson