There are many versions of Devant’s Magic Lesson. Alan Shaxon, Roy Johnson and Bob Ostin have their own versions. I expect there are many others. My version of this classic follows the general plot, but the advantage is that it can be reset in about two minutes and the whole effect is contained in one case.
The reader might be reluctant to use a changing bag, but, as all but one of the changes occur in this bag the method is not so obvious.
EFFECT
The magician (that’s you) invites a boy with a borrowed handkerchief on to the stage and offers to teach him how to change the handkerchief into an egg (or lemon ) . The hanky is shown to be intact, folded and placed into the magic bag. Magic words etc. are spoken, the boy places his hand into the bag and withdraws …… a hanky. The handkerchief is opened and found to be torn. Handkerchief is wrapped up again and once more dropped into the bag. A magic wand is introduced and the boy waves it round etc. The boy places his hand into the bag and withdraws …… a hanky. The hanky is unfolded and found to be a long st r ip. Hanky is replaced in the bag and another wand, (or gun, or fan) together with some more magic words, is used. The boy places his hand into the bag and withdraws …… an egg. Egg is offered to the owner of the hanky, who says that he would rather have his hanky. The egg is cut open and inside is found …… a hanky, in two pieces. Unfortunately the centre has been cut out of the hanky. The magician places the pieces into a newspaper together with a red bandana of his own. These are wrapped up and given to the boy to return to the hanky owner. As the boy is returning to his seat he is recalled, and with the assistance of a large wand, the parcel is tapped …… hard. The package is opened and the hankies withdrawn. They have taken on a ‘Sun and Moon’ look. These hankies are placed into the magic bag, magic words, etc. and are withdrawn ‘as new’.
