Balance by Joshua Jay
First came "Inferno," which won Trick of the Year in 2012. Then came "Out of Sight," which fooled Penn & Teller. After eight years of development, performed exclusively at the end of Joshua Jay's parlor shows, he is ready to unveil a sensational, unique wonder ...
"Balance" features the rarest effect in magic: suspension. An eclectic but ordinary group of objects are passed out for close examination: a bottle, a card box, a pencil, a toothbrush, and a crayon box. Nothing is sticky, no strings - totally normal.
The objects are collected and, one by one, they are stacked, first in ways that seem impressive, but possible, and then in ways that are COMPLETELY impossible. At the end, your audience is left with a stunning impossible sculpture; each object hanging impossibly in the air without explanation.
"Balance" is the perfect closer or encore piece for a parlor show because it is SO unlike anything else that would appear in a magic show. And unlike most magic, "Balance" LIVES in a state of impossibility. With every phase you build, the magic is staring at them, even after you've left the stage.
A New Kind of Magic: One thing Joshua didn't expect as he developed "Balance" is the unusual, 21st-century quality associated with it. People HAVE to take pictures of it. They can't help themselves. It's too unusual NOT to remember, and everyone wants to take home evidence of what they've seen. Over time, Joshua has learned to lean into this, actually allowing his audiences to film it and get pictures of it afterward.
A Stunning Package of Props: You receive everything you need to perform "Balance" in a beautiful foil-encrusted box. Your props for the trick are kept in a velvet box that allows you to switch the examined objects for the specially-made props imperceptibly onstage, without any special pockets or servante. The hinged box has protective "wings" so you can perform "Balance" virtually surrounded. You receive ten hand-crafted props that have each been designed under Josh's watchful eye. And, you get Joshua Jay on video, one of magic's best teachers, taking you through every detail of the routine.
Perform it Immediately: Joshua's creations take years to develop and in some cases, years of practice to perform. Happily, "Balance" can be performed within MINUTES of opening the box for the first time. The only skill you'll need is FAKING the difficulty of doing it.
Exclusivity: When you SEE the package, you'll see what a bargain this is. The whole package exudes quality, and this is a small investment in what will become the closing piece of your show. And, the price will necessarily keep the routine from becoming over-exposed. You will likely be the only one in your area performing "Balance."
Quality you can't Fake: Joshua Jay does NOT release magic often. We get a glimpse into his creative process every five years or so, when he releases something new. That's why his magic--from "Triad Coins" to "Inferno" to "Out of Sight" is IMMEDIATELY snatched up upon release, and it's hard to keep his creations in stock. He thinks through every aspect of an effect, from the theatrics to the product design, right down to how to reset between shows. THAT is what you're investing in with "Balance": years of painstaking detail.
"Joshua Jay, I'm so happy you are sharing your signature masterpiece with the rest of the world. I personally have performed “Balance” and it was definitely one of the most intimate and magical moments of my show. I cant wait to see what others will come up with."Cyril
"Examinable - Check! Customizable - Check! Magical - Check!"Daniel Garica
“Balance is a fine piece of magic. Joshua has created a stand up routine that is unique, strange and artful. It could easily become your next closer. With expertly crafted props that will never let you down and instructions packed with insight earned from years of development and performance Balance is a professional performers dream.”Luke Jermay
"A unique moment of impossible. I love it. I'll take two."Garrett Thomas
“I was told about this effect and could not wait to see it live and when I saw Josh perform it, I was in awe. This is a real performance piece that will inspire wonder” Jon Armstrong
I love the idea that a random collection of things can be used to create a seemingly impromptu impossible sculpture. There's something very magical about this, I can't wait to play with it. Wayne Houchin
Questions about Balance:
Can I replace the cigarettes? Actually, we've done it for you. Joshua now uses crayons instead of cigarettes, which fits the theme better and allows you to perform it for any audience.