How to Perform Magic Tricks - A Guide to Traditional Magic Show Performances

Author: Wan Zixin, Hu Bingjun / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The performance of "Listening to Orders from the Wine" is described as follows: A wine and a glass are placed on the table. After the performer explains the glass, they pick up the wine and pour wine into the glass. However, the wine is empty, with not a drop of wine inside. The performer then shakes the wine near their ear to listen, but still finds no wine. They pick up the wine again, turn the spout upside down, but still fail to pour out a single drop. The performer looks frustrated and says to the audience, "You see, I wanted to drink but had no wine—what bad luck! But I can change wine into anything I want, as much as you need. Watch!" After saying this, the performer picks up the glass with their left hand and the wine with their right, says "Here it comes!" and fills the glass to the brim, drinking it all down in one gulp. After the change, they say, "Who wants some? I'll change it for you." A spectator says, "Give me a glass." The performer pours another glass for them. This way, they pour several glasses for the audience, summoning the wine on demand and stopping as needed. Later, they pour a few glasses of wine onto the ground, allowing the audience to smell the aroma of fine wine.
Secret Revealed: The glass has no secret—anyone can see it's a transparent glass. The trick lies in the wine, which is made of thin sheet metal and painted with silver powder. The neck of the wine has a cork, with a thin iron tube inserted through the center of the cork. The tube has a diameter of about 1 millimeter, and its lower end is soldered with a flat hole. A small hole is also drilled into the wall of the wine. When pouring wine, the performer uses their thumb to cover the small hole. Since no air can enter the wine, the wine cannot be poured out. When ready to pour, the performer lifts their thumb, allowing air to enter the wine, and the wine can then be poured. Of course, if there's no real wine, water can be used as a substitute, but it should not be given to the audience to drink.
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