Next Meeting: 15 March 2025 | Theme: Annual General Meeting | Location: NLB Drama Center

CHANGELING by Marc Lavelle

Effect:

A visual bill change/switch effect with several other routines using the gimmick.

Product description:

Honest product description without any hype.  Really, there is no bone to pick here.

Method:

Bill change/switch effects have been around for a long time.  From using TT to bill transposition found in Ammar’s Easy to Master Money Miracles.  I think most magicians would know at least a method or two to perform such effects, after all, its money we are using and most spectators will be intrigued by it, especially if you use their own note.

I was at one stage always carrying a prepared gimmick in my wallet until Singapore changed some of the notes to plastic notes.  I had very good mileage out of the gimmick I made.  It was simple, does the job but the downside was that you can really show as clean as The Changeling.

The Changeling uses a prepared gimmick which will take you about 30 mins to make but this gimmick will last you for some time.  This version’s advantage is that you can show both sides of the note after the change.  It also allows you to do a very visual change.  The strongest part of this is that the change can take place in your spectator’s hands.  I am pretty sure your spectators will be awed by this effect.

There are 3 routines taught in the DVD and they are all very strong. I especially like the routine where by a spectator’s bill is changed to another and the signed bill appearing in your wallet. I can see this routine combining with a Nested Wallet will make it even stronger.

Quality:

You get the detailed DVD instructions and some parts for you to construct your gimmick. I’d say the gimmick quality is not bad but it will depend on your part to make a good quality gimmick.

Pricing:

At $29.95, somehow, I felt it was a little overpriced especially when you have to sacrifice some more notes to construct the gimmick but it is still worth to spend this amount for such effect.

Verdict:

For plastic currencies, it’d still work but I guess you have to put in more effort when constructing the gimmick.  So yeah, get it.  Its difficult to improve on the bill switch especially when there are so many versions out there.  I think this is a winner.

Rating:  8.5/10

Highly Recommended.