Oouch!

Julian

I've been watching this one for a long time but hesitated before buying it. I liked the idea and could see a place for it in some of the performances I do with certain audiences. It wouldn't fit into everyone's routine, but I often perform to family audiences so the humorous aspect is a good fit for me. I used to think this was quite expensive. I had a pretty good idea how this worked and planned to create my own dart. However, having priced up all the parts and materials I would need, I wasn't going to save much money. I've now bought this and I am very pleased with it. It's a better design than my DIY version would have been. For example, the point of the dart is held in position firmly so it is easy to demonstrate its "sharpness" by stabbing a piece of paper or polystyrene foam. (I plan to make a polystyrene dart board for that.) Although the dart doesn't look exactly like any of the lawn darts I've seen for sale, I don't think that matters at all. It is a very well made gimmick. It comes in a slim cardboard pouch and you have to fit the fins too the main part of the gimmick. That is very easy to do. The teaching video is excellent. It is very well filmed and the routine taught has elements that are better than the promo video suggests (e.g. the card stuck to your foot can be a signed card and has a dart hole in it ready to pass to the spectator as a souvenir.) The method is very well taught. There is no speech, just English subtitles but everything is demonstrated in very clear camera shots, carefully and systematically. You can choose your own method to f**** the card. There's some quiet background music in the video (moody, suspense music) and I thought that was a nice touch. You get a pdf template to help you make spare (or smaller) fins but I doubt whether I would need to use it. I'm quite content with the size of the fins. The video also shows how to accurately cut them down to a smaller size (pocket size?) Highly recommended (if it fits your style.) Some reviewers did not like this. I have even seen some folk on the Cafe comment; "It's terrible." I strongly disagree. Presented in the right way, this can be a killer effect (without killing your foot.)