As a noob, I'm just discovering Tommy Wonder.
I've been watching everything on YouTube.

What an amazing genius and showman. Wow.
What a huge loss to magic.

I love Tommy Wonder. I was just watching his cups and balls. Earlier I was thinking "I hate cups and balls, it wouldn't fool anyone." If you think like that, watch his routine. So so so simple no animals just the balls. But so well timed.

He was a wonderful performer that was a joy to watch.

Is his cups and balls routine in Books of Wonder Volume One or Volume Two? Is it also on his Visions of Wonder DVDs?

Tommy Wonder does have Cup and Ball rountine in Volume 2 in his Books of Wonder and Volume 1 of his DVD, Visions of Wonder.

Perhaps a little off-topic, but regardless of which volume contains this routine, both are well worth obtaining. Indeed I would suggest that the other content contributes immeasurably to the success of the individual routine. Mr. Wonder's exploration of attention direction and the creative process stand at the pinnacle of theatrical thinking.

Darcy

Tommy Wonder's Cups and Balls routine is outstanding. Studying it will no doubt improve anyone's routine. His misdirection and control of audience attention is masterful. However, to do *his* routine you will have to make some special props that are not available for purchase any longer. He sold them for a brief time years ago.

You know, we may put too much emphasis on having an 'amazing' routine. I mean, what's amazing to you and I might not be quite so much to a lay person.

I was performing for a group of about 30 this past weekend when that very thought occurred to me. I was doing my combo cup routine which is basically taken from several places. Over the years I've picked up this then that - I think all legitimately from books and lectures and such. Eventually I pieced together my routine - nothing spectacular and any magician would easily be able to follow everything that I do.

But it killed.

Most people have never seen a magician live. When they see one on television his act is quickly discounted. They've been taught that TV isn't real. When they see it in person though, even the simplest routines amaze them.

Of course, not to take anything from Tommy Wonder.

Yeah, Tommy Wonder was a brilliant magician.

I think a big reason that he is so good is the way that he presents his tricks. He is able to seperate the magic from the magician. I mean, during a lot of his tricks he acts just as astounded as his audience. I think it helps to build a connection with them.

Clay

The Books of Wonder have been reprinted so it you were waiting for them to re-appear, no reason to do so, just go out and buy the set.

Hi,

I also love Tommy Wonder. He was a fantastic man. He has a grear Dvd seres called Wision of Wonders. If you like him I think you can get these Dvds and watch him again and again...

magicially yours,


Nedim Guzel

I enjoyed Vision of wonders so much, I even watch it over an over again. He is a genius no doubt about that.

Mitch : What do you mean a huge loss to magic?

Hey Xemm,
You should say he "was" a genius." Tommy Wonder passed away a few years ago. He was one incredible performer. He knew how to work the audience to the extreme. I was so impressed to see how well he uses conflict in his performances.

Amazing Guy.

Fraser

I saw a video of him doing an Ambitious Card Routine, and he got a HUGE reaction just by doing it with a simple double lift. He wa an incredible performer. Does anyone know exactly how he died? Cancer?

He died of lung cancer

His card in ring box really is amazing.

Clay

I love his cups and balls presentation.


magicially yours,


Nedim Guzel

Tommy Wonder designed and developed all of his own repertoire. Tommy Wonder was the stage name of Jacobus Maria Bemelman.

Tommy Wonder was a great magician, a great thinker and brilliant inventor but most of all a thru friend always ready to help his fellow magicians. I was blessed to meet him many times at the Magic Art Centre of late Richard Ross. Not only his cups and balls routines are highly recommended but many effects he created are, both Tommy and Richard passed away much to early! Tommy's books 'Books of Wonder' and DVD's 'Visions of Wonder' are from the highest level and highly recommended!!

Best wishes,
Dr. Eamon

I love how he creates conflict and makes his effects so that they are almost like problems that he has to overcome. I know that that was one of his plans and it works! His tricks are great.

Fraser