Many of my recent purchasing decisions have been heavily influenced by the feedback/reviews on this forum - mainly becuase there are a large number of contributors here whose opinions I respect greatly.

Please pardon my presumption on this as I am a comparitively new member of this forum, but I do have a small suggestion when reviewing new routines: would it be possible to include a 'difficulty' grading? I know a few reviews have this, but it would be incredibly useful to have it as standard.

There seems to be a diverse range of abilities here, from 'occasional dabbler' to 'seriously experienced' (I consider myself somewhere in the middle) and when choosing an effect, it would be useful to know how much skill/sleight is involved.

Might I suggest a simple scale:

1. BEGINNER - Completely self-working - a monkey could do this.
2. AMATEUR - Pretty much self-working - minor skill/misdirection needed
3. INTERMEDIATE - A little sleight and/or misdirection needed
4. SKILLED - Ability and knowledge of sleights/forces/misdirection required
5. PRO - Highly dextrous in sleights, etc.

I know the above could be subjective but hey, that's another benefit of a forum like this - to debate/argue opinions.

The reason behind this suggestion is that some effects are pretty expensive and hobbyists may be persuaded to purchase something based on a glowing review, only to discover that the skills required to preform are well beyond their abilities. I note that a few online stores subscribe to such a grading system, but none of the major ones that are frequently mentioned here.

As well as assisting the Amateur in making a decision, this might also influence the Pro as they would be more likely to want a higher-grade illusion knowing it would be performed more exclusively.

Just a suggestion. Apologies if this has been suggested in the past, but if so there isn't much evidence of implementation.

Multiply,

Following Parliamentary Procedure: "I second your excellent motion."

I too am a newcomer to the Café; what a WONDERFUL forum!

However, I would go even further and (humbly) suggest that reviews on particular routines include information on whether the effect requires any significant setup and whether the performer finishes 'clean' at the close of the effect.

I am currently in the process of putting together an entire children's routine, and it would be most helpful to know which new effects might 'flow' out of others, and which ones would require a 'ditch' or setup prior to the next effect.

I THIRDLY support this motion too. I write reviews from time to time, and I'll remember to try to add this scale too. Ed, (Eddini).

MULTIPLY , WELL SAID WHAT A GREAT IDEA !!
Tophatter.

Thanks for the positive feedback, guys.
When I first posted this the only response was the sound of the tumbleweed blowing around the 'Reply' box.

Glad some of you found it constructive. I wasn't trying to step on toes - just an idea.