"Tear Down" DVD by Andrew Mayne
Suggested Retail USD$15.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Tear Down", an Andrew Mayne DVD, is a fascinating take on the classic newspaper tear, with many presentational pluses going for it and, paradoxically, makes of a great impromptu stage or platform piece.

"Tear Down" begins with a borrowed (meaning "totally unprepared in any way, shape, or form") newspaper which the spectator has signed. The performer takes the newspaper and tears it into pieces. The pieces are crumpled together and rubbed between the hands, then opened to show the newspaper fully restored, the signature still intact, and the newspaper is handed back to the spectator to keep.

Yep, that's pretty neat, right there. But it's the benefits of Mayne's methodology that make this one so intriguing.

First up, it really is completely impromptu. There is no set-up. There is no gimmick to make. You'll need a newspaper and a pen and the knowledge you get from this disc. That's it.

Second, the method (not requiring duplicate pages or the accompanying switching) allows this to be done with pretty much any size newspaper (Mayne teaches techniques for tabloid- and full-sized newspapers) as well as magazines. That's a lot of flexibility there, to say the least.

Third, this is a very simple effect to do. The work required is, really, minor. It is, however, a bit gutsy, something Mayne acknowledges. However, it only looks gutsy during the explanation; doing the work, it probably requires the same amount of steely nerve as a French Drop.

So... Intrigued yet? I know I was and I wasn't disappointed in the least with "Torn Down", despite some drawbacks. Ah, yes, the drawbacks. There are a few that need to be mentioned.

The tearing sequence is downright angly. A couple of times during performance, Mayne flashed here and there. Of course, that was Mayne performing in front of a camera set up much closer to the action that spectators should be so it's almost to be expected. Like all newspaper tears, you need some space and need a venue where you can control the angles (hence the fact most newspaper tears are done on stage).

Also, giving away the newspaper at the end is a little problematic. A quick examination will reveal nothing at all; a longer, slower inspection may tip off the spectator to the events that transpired; if they try to read the thing from cover to cover you're busted. The way things work out, Mayne leaves the paper restored but crumpled and wrinkled, making it unlikely a spectator will do more than flip through it casually which will expose nothing. However, it's something you need to be aware of and one of those cases of gauging a spectator's attitude.

Really, those drawbacks are minor. This is something you'd want to perform in a larger venue, like a stage or a platform/living-room type of venue, anyway, where you have a bit more control over staging and blocking and can make the distance and angles work for you. Handing out the restored newspaper is a nice touch but not necessary -- if you really want to, there are ways of working through that as well. In short, the benefits just flat-out outweigh the problems by a long shot.

Those benefits are why I love this one. It's one of those things you play with and learn and practice and get down and then store away in that mental filing cabinet of yours for those times when "Tear Down" would play and play big and then -- bam! -- you've left a mark on your spectators. Do I recommend it for everyone? No. This is one where you've got to be attracted to the theme in the first place and find yourself in situations where you can get away with it. If you fit that bill then, hands-down, "Tear Down" is something you need to look into.

"Tear Down" DVD by Andrew Mayne
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Material: 9
It's an interesting idea, to say the least, and it's execution relatively simple if a little gutsy. All of those pluses -- the signing of the paper, the fact it can be done with any size newspaper and even magazines, the effect being impromptu -- outweigh that little issue. All in all, this is an excellent take on the classic.

Practicality: 9
This is as impromptu as it gets: you simply need a newspaper or magazine and a pen. The only real issue is that you need control of your angles and a bit of distance from your audience, making this a great piece for stage or platform work.

Quality of Production: 10
Typical Mayne work here: the production values are incredibly high all the way around.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Again, this is typical Mayne. Thorough, concise, plain-spoken... you'll have no problem learning his material.

Presentation: 9
Here, it's all about being practical and simple and oh-so-fair in appearance, to the point of over-riding Mayne's trademarked striking visuals. This accomplishes the goals completely.

Shane

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