Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

Eggs, Sausage & Peas by Jonathan Royle Review:

A butt load of digital files, a lot of chaos, 50 hours of video and $65 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

What You Get

What you're getting is 3 DVD-ROMs that you have to put in your computer. The three disks contain a ton of digital videos, PDFs, PowerPoints, MP3 files, Word documents, Images, etc. You also receive a whole bunch of links to a whole bunch more content. So you'd think for all that stuff, $65 bucks is a reasonable price, right? Far from it. I'll give you more info on that in a moment in the "Product Quality" section below.

Basically, the videos contain the show and the explanations. There are a few different videos of the full show in different venues. The images included are the props that he used in the performances. The PowerPoints and Publisher files, are also some of the images he used in the show. The Word documents and PDFs are either instructions on how to use the DVD-ROM set or ebooks. In a few cases, the Word document content is the same as the PDF file.

Some of the audio files are music from his show, and others are "advice" - Jonathan Royle talking into the microphone. Just a brief overview of some of the effects you will see on the performance: Belly Button Reading (Cold Reading), Design Duplication, Magic Square, Will the Cards Match (Larry Becker) with ESP cards, ACAAN, Pseudo Psychometry, Tossed Out Deck, Smash and Stab (Russian Roulette with spikes under paper cups), A "Chair Test" without the chairs and more, but that's most of it.

Ad Copy Integrity/Method

The ad copy claims that the teaching is detailed . . . far from it. In many cases during the explanation, he simply says that he cannot teach the method because it's not his trick; it's a marketed product of so and so.

The next claim is that this is "arguably one of the most impressive ACAAN routines ever devised." I might agree with that statement. The method is clever. It won't fool a magician - I wasn't fooled by it, but I think it may have some potential with the lay folk.

Next is mentioned a phone call effect for a "book test style" effect. I'm not sure what they're referring to. The only phone call effect was for a Tossed Out Deck effect. That method is also a bit clever.

Then comes the claim at how awesome the non-chair chair test is that "turns the audience members into A-List celebrities. The only thing about this routine that is decent is the concept of being able to do a chair routine without the chairs (i.e., it's portable). Other than that, the routine is confusing, messing, cluttered, unorganized, etc. There are a couple points in the routine that are supposed to be successful predictions, but they're nothing but confusion. I saw it, and you could see it (the confusion) on the audience's faces. Further, in one of the performances, Royle screwed it up and got the so called grand finale wrong, and so the entire performance was about 10 minutes of wasted time of a bunch of people up on the stage.

Will The Cards Match (by Larry Becker) with ESP cards is hardly revolutionary. If you know Will The Cards Match, you've likely seen many others apply it to other things (Max Maven comes to mind). In fact, if you want to do something along those lines, spend the $7 dollars and buy Max Maven's book Redivider. It's full of tons of material, much of which employs the Becker concept.

The next claim in the ad copy is that it's a mix of completely original material with "highly original slants & improvements" on the classics. This is the most inaccurate statement in the ad copy for sure. The only thing in this set that is "completely original" is the belly button reading, and even that is just a spin on things like palm reading, body language reading and cold reading in general. The rest of the stuff is pretty much other people's material. In fact, a lot of it is just his outright purchase of the product and therefore he was unable to explain/teach the method.

The only thing that was even a slightly original addition to an effect was the phone call method he used for the Tossed Out Deck. It is clever and is probably an improvement, but it also relies on your spectator being able to call a friend during the show - a friend who is willing to take a few minutes to participate in the show.

Next is this claim: "Studying the contents of this video package and the bonus Ebooks and Audios you will also learn dozens of other reputation making effects and feature routines and in many cases templates for actual props are included, in all cases you are granted Legal Performance Rights." I would not consider any of the material on here reputation making, but I admit that this is a subjective thing. However, the claim that "in all cases you are granted Legal Performance Rights" it a complete lie.

There are multiple effects on this set that you are not allowed to perform because they are marketed products by other magicians. On the videos in various other places, he very specifically points out that you do not have the legal right to perform those effects that he performed from other marketed product unless you actually purchase the product. In one case (Randi Rain's Smash &  Stab) the product is two hundred dollars. Some of the methods for effects require very expensive props as well (for example the billiard ball prediction device used to do the ESP card prediction).

The ad copy mentions 40 more hours of downloadable stuff. I did not watch any of that. It was other "Secret Links" found elsewhere, mostly YouTube videos. A further claim is "Not only will you learn every element of his Stage Mentalism Show, but as a bonus you will also learn every Secret of his Comedy Stage Hypnosis Show, together with Exactly how for years he gave profitable and highly accurate Tarot and Astrology Readings."

I learned no secrets of Comedy Stage Hypnosis. I found no video with that content anywhere on these three DVD-ROMs. I found nothing about his Tarot and Astrology readings. The DVD-ROMs are so confusing (more on that in the "Product Quality") that the material might actually be there, but just lost in the mix of stuff, probably in the PDF with all of the YouTube links. There were so many of the links that I did not watch them, so it's possible that it's in there.

Lastly, regarding the ad copy, I'll address the included endorsements.

Stephen Tucker's claim about ACAAN is accurate, but his claim about "so much quality material" I just don't understand. It's Tucker's opinion, so I can't say he's right or wrong; it's opinion, but in my opinion, there is very, very, very little "quality material" if any on this set.

Michael Close said that Royle's advice and routines are solid and that someone using them would quickly recoup their investment. I just cannot agree with any of that statement. I found no solid advice and no solid routines. In fact, during the performance, he looked lost and confused, and cluttered.

Marc Paul thanked Royle for the Holy Grail of mentalism (i.e., ACAAN) along with that he mentioned that Royle went the proverbial "extra mile." I'm not sure where he went an inch, let alone mile. As for the ACAAN, as mentioned before, the method is decent, but I wasn't blown away by it.

Next we have Roger Curzon's endorsement. He seemed to find hilarity and strength in some of the routines where I simply did not.

The only "endorsement" I agree with is Kenton Knepper's statement "A collection sure to upset many Mentalists and Psychic Entertainers with its revelations and details!" Yep. I'm a mentalist, and I was very upset with the revelations and the details.

Product Quality

If above wasn't enough to turn you off, the following will likely be the last straw. Poor camel.

Watch the video trailer for this product. It's a performance of the ACAAN. My guess is that you'll find the performance boring, lackluster and very cluttered. You may find the trick itself a fooler, but I doubt that too. Now, after watching it, know this: it's the "best" part of the entire product.

The footage is terrible. It's poorly lit, poorly mic'd, unclear, and unedited. The first video is literally 20 minutes of nothing. The camera is just sitting there pointed at the stage recording an empty stage. I'm not exaggerating . . . 20 minutes. Most of the videos had similar problems: huge empty spaces at the beginning and the end.

As you know, I typically focus more on the method than the effect when writing a review. I typically don't let poor performance, etc. effect the review. However, in this case, when part of the selling point is the "live performances" I have to consider it.

Here's what I found. First, his stage presence is terrible. He's boring, unscripted, extremely un-refined and overall just not entertaining at all. Further, between each effect, he was constantly re-organizing the stage props, tables, stands, chairs, etc. You'll see a little bit of that in the video trailer. On top of that, as proof that some of his methods don't work, in both performance videos, he screwed up the ESP card reading (an effect where five people each take an ESP card while he's blindfolded). In both shows he "guessed" wrong as to who had the cards.

He also screwed up (in both performances) the design duplication effect using two spectators. Further, his chair-less chair test failed in one of the videos. He's just not that good of a performer.

Toward the middle of the show he has an effect where he asks a spectator to think of a celebrity, a song and a venue. Then at the end, he "reveals" that is was (let's say) David Letterman, Somewhere over the Rainbow at The Roof Restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah. He simply reads this prediction out loud and claims that it's right. The original spectator who thought of the the items never says them out loud, never writes them down, and never reveals what they are. That spectator is just later ignored as Royle says out loud "Letterman, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Roof Restaurant." It's never verified that he's right.

It was one of the most ridiculous things in the show. There were many places where the music was too loud, and he was yelling over the music. The few effects that were "taught" (i.e., the ones that he didn't say, "I can't teach this because it's not mine to teach") were mostly not taught in depth. In many cases, he just glossed over parts of the explanation and said, "refer back the video performance."

Included with this is a Word document and a PDF that is titled "Read This First." When reading it, it's very confusing and attempts to tell you how watch the videos, read the PDFs and listen to the audio files. It tells you what to read/watch/listen to first, second, etc. However, in many cases the name of the video he says to watch is not found on the DVD-ROM. It turns out to be labeled as something else - a different file name.

I could go on and on, but I'll wrap up the "Product Quality" with this. One of the effects he does is another performer's (Kennedy) effect. In the Read Me First file, he mentions that you do not have permission to perform this effect unless you purchase it from the creator, yet he includes the needed files to perform it on the third DVD-ROM. Further, there are images of copyrighted and/or trademarked characters such as Thomas the Train, Sponge Bob, Kermit the Frog, Shrek, Bob the Builder, Smurfs, etc. Also included you'll find recordings of the Muppet Show Theme Song and I'm a Believer by Smash Mouth. In other words, this means that you are given pirated  stuff with this set.

Final Thoughts

I took copious notes while watching this. It was one of the most grueling things I've ever endured in my life. Everything about it was boring, dry, un-entertaining, un-inspiring, etc. So let me sum it up with a few bullet points.

  • The performances were terrible, boring, cluttered, un-practiced, un-scripted, and in many cases, failures (i.e., he screwed up the trick).
  • The methods are not very original, and many of them are expensive marketed products of other magicians that he did not teach.
  • The video (and overall product) quality was terrible.
  • I do applaud that effort to include the files for the props, etc.
  • The belly button reading was original, but it clearly made some of the audience members uncomfortable when he asked them to reveal their navel, and then he proceeded to stick his finger in it.
  • He included pirated copies of stuff
  • The ad copy is mostly inaccurate and in one case contains an outright lie.

One final note: Assuming that the content (effects and methods) were better than they actually are, this product could have been decent if they spent a few minutes editing. They could have cut out all of the dead space in the videos, then edited the performance footage into one video instead of four. Further, the show itself has too much stuff that could be either streamlined or removed completely. His so called 2.5 hour show should really be about 1 hour or maybe a little more.

One further editing "thing" they could have done was to put text overlays during the explanations whenever he mentioned a website. The quality of the audio was terrible, so it was hard to hear what websites he was referring to. Further, he would then spell it out orally, and in many cases the url was so long that the only way to get it would be to stop and replay the video multiple times. A simple text overlay would fix this.

A huge chunk of that 2.5 hours was dead space in the video in the beginning, end and middle. This has to be one of the worst products I've reviewed in a long time. There are plenty of other mentalism resources.

Final Verdict:
half star with a Stone Status of complete and utter RUBBLE.

33 Comments

  • Jay Best says:

    Whoa, I couldn’t even get through the video clips I found on Youtube. Must have been torture for you do sit through this. Thanks for taking one for the team Jeffro!

  • Steve Black says:

    Wow Jeff !!!!

    This must be awful. Well done,you almost certainly saved me a whole load of cash!! I wouldn’t expect a Christmas card from Mr Royle!

    Steve

  • WATCH THIS SPACE…… (And the Truth About Egg, Sausage & Peas)

    So I’ve arrived home from a weekend training seminar I have been running to discover that two magic reviewers (one website/youtube based) and the other print based have in essence accused me of COPYRIGHT THEFT.

    Now everyone is entitled to their own opinions on things, however I’ve arrived home to discover that I’ve had numerous emails already today from people stating that it seems like these people may have personal hidden agendas?

    Anyhow they can say what they like about me and call me the worst performer on the planet for all I care, but please don’t lie or mislead people about things, especially not if its something like intimating or directly claiming that I may be illegally supplying someone elses materials to others.

    FACT: If the print magazine reviewer had bothered to check with me before putting their review in print they would have discovered that although on one of the disks I do include some Mentalism Ebooks PDFs written by or with other performers names attached such as Rob Temple (ANORAK), Stuart Harrizon Cassels (Holy Grail of Mentalism) and a couple of PDFS teaching “Derren Brown Style” Mentalism IN ALL CASES i either purchased the Legal Worldwide Copyright on these items 100% Outright or I have purchased Legal Resale and Dsitrubution rights on them. IN OTHER WORDS NO LAWS ARE BROKEN.

    FACT: The website and youtube based reviewer is just as everybody is, entitled to their own personal opinion. even if that does contradict the numerous show reviews from many respected and experienced Magicians and Mentalists that can be seen at http://www.mentalismsecrets.co.uk and also PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT…

    FACT: I DO NOT in any manner give away anything by Ken Dyne aka Ken Nedy of Ken Dyne’s Mental Underground that I am not legally allowed to or that cannot be SEEN by watching the live performance video of my show on You Tube. To Clarify Ken’s PDF is NOT on the disk, and in the Read Me file that is contained on the disks a link to go buy it from Ken is included and also a major notice that it would be Arguably Illegal and certainly unethical and imorral to attempt to perform his routine “Brianwashed” without first purchasing the Official PDF which grants you performance rights to such.

    FACT: Further warning that to attempt to perform such (which frankly would be impossible anyway without purchasing the PDF from Ken as you need that for certain images that need to be displayed on stage during the show and routine/secret/handling elements etc) would be arguably Illegal and certainly unethical and imorral without purchasing his PDF and thus the performance rights from Ken is mentioned on the explanations of the show video training sections as well.

    I could point out a number of other hugely misleading and innacurate comments made by these two reviewers, including ones that are clearly worded so as to “intimate” something more far worse than what is written, but frankly life is to short, and as I said before everyone is entitled to their opinion BUT PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT.

    FACT: out of Dozens of routines that are taught in the package, ONLY FOUR of them require you to purchase anything directly from any other Magician/Mentalist in order to be legally, ethically and morally able to perfrom them and IN ALL OF THOSE CASES the products and people are credited and links are given of where and how to obtain such.

    FACT: The Advert copy is 100% True and factually Correct when KEPT IN CONTEXT and in the CORRECT ORDER as it appears on Murphys Magic site at: http://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=53663 the key point being WHEN READ IN ORDER AND KEPT IN CONTEXT..

    FACT: In terms of performance rights, it would not cost you anywhere near what one reviewer has inaccurately reported to gain such rights.

    Anyhow why not take a look at the testimonials at the link of http://www.eggsausagepeas.com

    OR WHY NOT CHECK OUT WHAT OTHER MAGICIAN’S THINK:

    VANISH MAGIC MAGAZINE – (Review of Egg, Sausage & Peas)

    Download Your Copy of the Latest Edition of Vanish Magazine and be sure to check out the Review of my “Egg, Sausage & Peas – The Mentalists CookBook Set” on Page 148.

    http://www.vanishmagazine.com/edition16.html

    Next Take a Look at what Stephen Tucker said about this UNIQUE & AMAZING MENTALISM DVD SET in “The Budget” magazine – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152429083897806&l=4da53faa59

    And then why not check out Stephen Manfords (Stevie Mandini’s) Review of my E.S.P Lecture that appeared in “The Magi Magazine” and can be seen at: http://www.killermentalism.co.uk

    Or hows about these dozens of Reviews from other Leading Mentalists and Magicians – http://www.mentalismsecrets.co.uk

    Finally for now hows about the Review that appeared in MagicSeen Magazine in the July/August Issue – http://www.magic.forgecom.info/BackIss57.htm

    Then Decide for Yourself..

    • Jeff Stone says:

      @Jonathan – Thanks for the post. First let me say, that I wish you no ill, and I have not personal vendetta against you. Secondly, I can’t speak for the magazine reviewer. The only place where I personally made any allegations about piracy were regarding the Ken Dyne (aka Kennedy) effect Brainwashed. You are correct that in the read me first file, you made it clear to purchase the effect before performing it. However, in the above comment, you said that the effect could not be performed without the images from Ken Dyne. Those are the very images that are included on the third E.S.P., disk. This is the part I was referring to as piracy. I apologize if that’s too strong of a word, but the disk includes files that by your own words we’re not allowed to use without purchasing. I don’t know another word other than piracy (or illegal copy) to describe that.

      • Again Inaccurate Jeff, Ken Supplys ONLY TWO High Resolution Images that ARE NEEDED to perform the effect and are needed in Jpeg format of high quality.

        The images in the powerpoint file (which you cannot legally or ethically use anyway until you have purchased Kens PDF and image files) have MORE THAN TWO DIFFERENT IMAGES as these were put together by my Graphic Designer and are not the same!

        Given that under The Copyrights Designs and Patents Act (of which I am very familiar) the manner in which these images (put together by my graphic) are designed and MORE IMPORTANTLY the manner in which they are supplied is fully Legal and Lawful in all manners.

        And I can assure you without buying Kens PDF it would be impossible to perform the effect as shown on the videos or indeed in any manner that would make any sense to an audience.

        In other-words without buying Kens PDF with his Two Image files, the NUMEROUS image files within the powerpoint presentation (which were put together by my graphic designer) are worthless to anybody..

        So however you look at it to intimate or directly say (as you did) that Piracy of any kind has taken place is COMPLETELY UNTRUE.

        And to make any comments of that nature is entirely misleading.

      • With regards to any images etc (as put together by my graphic designer) and which are USELESS to anyone without first buying Kens PDF and image files for £20 Sterling as without them images and the PDF from Ken it would be impossible for anyone to perform the routine in a manner that would make any sense at all to an audience..

        Anyhow all is explained in more depth in the video:

        THE REAL TRUTH – This video exposed all of the INACCURACIES and
        Incorrect Misleading things that are in the video Review:

        http://tinyurl.com/mn73u6v

      • A more appropriate word than THE INNACURATE word you used would be the phrase “Its a condition of use” as that is exactly what it is.

        I will not allow anyone to use a powerpoint presentation which I paid good money to have put together, containing several images that Ken DOES NOT supply (He only supplys two remember) without adding the condition that they must first have bought and own his PDF and image files.

        The main reason being it would be IMPOSSIBLE to perform the routine in any manner that would make sense, without having access to THE TWO IMAGES that Ken supplys with the PDF which are needed to manufacture items that MUST be on display on stage throughout the show otherwise there is no routine.

      • On a side note as no doubt many people who see all this will want to know where to get Ken’s Excellent Revelation from, it can be obtained from:

        http://mentalunderground.com/product/brainwashed/

      • ONE FINAL POINT – If you watch the video where I point out all of the Errors and factually incorrect inaccuracies in your video review Jeff as per:

        THE REAL TRUTH – This video exposed all of the INACCURACIES and
        Incorrect Misleading things that are in the video Review:

        http://tinyurl.com/mn73u6v

        Then you will see me show and read out the COPYRIGHT NOTICE from the front of Ken Dynes “Brainwashed” PDF which can be bought from – http://mentalunderground.com/product/brainwashed/

        Then consider this, those terms of Copyright/License allow me as a purchaser and owner of the PDF and 2 Original Image files to use them in any style of performance that I so desire (other than gaining additional permission for TV or if Ken was on same show and wanted to do it)

        With that in mind I (as would be other purchasers as the law is the law) am entitled to print out or display (in any manner I desire so long as its not defamatory) Copies of these 2 Images.

        I can if I so desire give away the large Transparency Images that are on show on stage throughout the show as a souvenir to an audience member (and indeed on occasion at big events I have been known to do exactly that)

        My point is, that given that I am not in any legal manner selling the contents of my DVD-ROMs but rather the contents are being Licensed as explained in said video here http://tinyurl.com/mn73u6v then as any real copyright law expert would advise you a whole bunch of other considerations come into play.

        Arguably my DVD-ROM is also meant to entertain as well as educate, and I have full Legal License to use the images how I so desire for entertainment, and as for education, well fair useage policy and exemption from copyright laws for educational purposes could easily be argued to such a level that I would be legally allowed to give away copies of those two images I originally got from Ken when I purchased, as basically the wording of his license/copyright notice does not forbid such, and with copyright and contracts what you don’t say is just as and often MORE important than what is put down in words.

        BUT AND THIS IS THE MASSIVE BIG BUT…. (So Please Take Notice of this)

        BUT I AM NOT IN ANY MANNER GIVING AWAY IDENTICAL COPIES OF THE 2 IMAGES..

        (despite the fact it would not break any laws in said context mentioned)

        Any images I do give have been Professionally Altered at my expense by my graphic designer, are of ABSOLUTELY NO USE to anyone to perform the effect unless they also obtain the two Original High Res Images and the PDF from Ken at http://mentalunderground.com/product/brainwashed/ and are supplied on such a basis that they are in a package that is LICENSED TO THE END USER with “Terms and Conditions” attached.

        Or to put it another way, as I need to go finish packing as I am off tonight for a weeks Holiday in the Sun, NO LAWS HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN ANY MANNER.

        And in the context and reality of everything as explained in the video http://tinyurl.com/mn73u6v for you Jeff to use the word “Piracy” is arguably in law Defamation of Character…

        Just setting the record straight, you might want to check your facts out more thoroughly before making claims in any future reviews…

        Thanks for the right of reply, don’t think I’m purposely ignoring you if I don’t reply for the next 8 days, but I am going to be out of the country..

  • THE REAL TRUTH – This video exposed all of the INACCURACIES and
    Incorrect Misleading things that are in the video Review:

    http://tinyurl.com/mn73u6v

  • roy says:

    why didnt you ask people like me a everyday magician shopper who have bought this product ?????? in my opinion its worth every penny it costs yes it is warts and all but thats what make it good jeff… at least its not like certain rings and sticky products around that are video edited and hyped up to be so good by not showing the warts that this product does. you get to see what can go wrong you get to see it in true performance you get to learn from it not just learn it. i have learnt so much from this product and continue to re watch and re read it to learn more. heres my true review as a happy customer there no b/s just truth as a happy shopper…..
    j
    ohnathon royle teaches it as it is warts and all but then you learn it as it is without the hype and fancy editing hands on there is abundance of information to be had if your looking to learn then there is no better ways than this its like being in the classroom with a good teacher who then gives you several books full of information to take home with you to study at your own pace. theres no better way to learn than to learn the johnathon royale way. i use and continue to use this information daily and so will you

    • Jeff Stone says:

      @Roy – Thanks for the post/comment. When I write my reviews, I only base them on my own experience/opinion/etc. If I were to ask others who owned, I would get their opinion not my own. I’m glad that you got your money’s worth. I’m not out to get Mr. Royle. I have no ill intent toward him. I just gave what I felt to be an accurate review of the product.

      • Unfortunately though Jeff it was full of factual errors and inaccuracies as illustrated here:

        THE REAL TRUTH – This video exposed all of the INACCURACIES and
        Incorrect Misleading things that are in the video Review:

        http://tinyurl.com/mn73u6v

      • Roy says:

        One sided bias point of view then Jeff a balanced point of view looks at all sides good and bad that’s good as well otherwise it’s dictatorship. I see now your backtracking as you’ve realised your wrong cut the b.s I am all in favour of honest reviews one that look at all sides any sheep that follow you without looking over the cliff for themselves deserve the swim

  • Jeff Stone says:

    @Jonathan – I’ve looked at the files for Kennedy’s effect that you’ve included. I’ve tested them and they work just fine. In your above comment you claim that without Kennedy’s PDF, the files you included would be worthless and the effect cannot be performed. That is simply not true. The PowerPoint files work just fine, and the other file you included is easily photocopied onto transparency paper. They do not need to be in JPG format. I tested it. With what you’ve supplied (your presentation on disk one, and the image files), one has the ability (legal or not) to perform the effect exactly as you did on the first disk.

    Further, there are copies of trademarked and/or copyrighted images and music:

    • Bob the Builder
    • Scooby Doo
    • Thomas the Train
    • Sponge Bob
    • Kermit the Frog
    • I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth
    • The Muppet Show Theme Song

    Feel free to reply, rebut, rebuke, etc., but I’m bowing out of this conversation. I’ll the readers read both sides of the story and make their own decisions.

    Best wishes.

    Jeffro

    • I suggest rather than posting links to UNTRUE websites full of Defamtory
      mis-information, that in future you take the time to Learn the truth

      http://klearthoughtsmentalismhypnosis.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/the-naked-truth-about-dr-jonathan-royle-aka-alex-william-smith-aka-alex-leroy-hypnotist-magician-and-psychic-entertainer/

      • Rob Butcher says:

        Jonathan you are failing to accept this product is not worth the cover-price. It needs dramatically improving.

        And your links seem to be biased to you. That’s hardly a sensible comparison, especially as we have no way of verifying their impartiality.

        • roy says:

          rob i bought it and im happy with what it teaches warts and all im no way associated with johnathon other than a customer and no one is more critical than me but beyond the faults theres good stuff in it and believe me i buy and own loads of magic and training videos have you bought it?? or are you just sheeplishly following behind???

          i sent johnathon a revue after i had fairly watched and learned what it offers and i did tell him things could be better but the info contained is very good

          • Rob Butcher says:

            I read reviews like this to decide what to consider buying.

            As a professional entertainer I look for quality not quantity, this product obviously does not. And yes, Jonathan Royle has an extremely poor reputation in the UK.

            Instead I purchased products that worked; had the appropriate ‘permission to perform’ and my audiences love them.

            And to be honest there is no way of recovering from a half star review on two or more sites. Best to revise the product(s) and move on.

          • roy says:

            it has quality stuff in it in my opinion sheep follow wolves find out themselves audiences love what you perform your patter your comedy your amazement i use his sterile i bought it as he advissed of randi raine i use his esp mentalism i bought i use alot of his ideas changed and adapted to my style the only prob with this product is its warts and all but i like that it makes it real .. how many brill video previews we seen then its crap or doesnt reveal the real faults of it
            the product isnt for everyone i guess im happy thats good for me

          • Rob Butcher says:

            I’m far from a sheep, and very much a wolf.

            It’s a poor product extremely badly produced. I find amazing you decide to use a pseudonym to continue the argument.

            Dodo

            Norwegiab Blue

          • roy says:

            glad you find me amazing how do you know if you haven’t purchased it???? i have so i do the production isnt that important the content is i gained loads from it still am learning from it i use some in my shows along side of other greats just adapted to me..
            see we different i used to goto a old boxing gym no tvs no chandeliers no glam just hard work good training knowledge blood sweat and tears not a gym to watch tv and drink coffee so i appreciate this the same its like that old gym no glam just knowledge

  • Joe Diamond says:

    Apparently no one told Royle the old adage, “When you get the message, hang up the phone”

    You’d think he’d have read some book on public speaking or performance somewhere to ‘keep it brief.’ Why couldn’t have he just put out a DVD? I had this product and sent it back because it simply did not play on my computer.

    On top of that, he’s just a creepy guy.

    However, I’m sure he’s successful, confident, and happy enough to just take the hits with a grain of salt, and move on with his life like a true professional or gentleman.

    Jeff, you have done the world of magic a great service. You have done what others could not. You got through ten hours of that guy. You have my utmost respect and support!

    • Jeff Stone says:

      @Joe – Thanks for the feedback brotha. I personally did not find him creepy at all. He seems like a pretty nice guy, and even when I watched his hour-long rebuttal, I felt he was very level headed about it for the most part. Also, he pointed out some places where I inadvertently misspoke in my review. I’ve already updated some of that. I’ll be making some more updates to it in the near future.

      I may even slightly increase the star rating, but all in all, I still won’t be recommending this.

  • Oh dear LOL

    Just got a wifi signal at a beach bar in Spain…

    Bottom line, there is nothing on those disks that in any manner (in state and context supplied) that in any manner breaks any laws.

    Whether public domain, fair use age, educational and or entertainment exempted or in some cases fully licensed from third party’s etc

    The bottom line is I have no qualms whatsoever about the contents of these disks and neither do my Legal advisors

    I notice you have still totally ignored the facts revealed in my video Jeff illustrating how inaccurate and factually incorrect and misleading many elements of your review were and still are.

    Anyhow I need to get back to my daughter on the beach, and frankly I have nothing further to add.

    People as you say can decide for themselves

    • Jeff Stone says:

      @Jonathan – You are mistaken sir. Not only did I watch your video, but I posted two comments on it. Also, as mentioned in the comment above to Joe Diamond, I agreed with some of the mistakes you pointed out, and I made a few updates to my original review above.

      Also, you’ll notice in the comment to Joe that I defended your character (as I have in other places where people are attacking your character – rather than the product). Further, I also mentioned in the comment above that I will be making some more updates to the review and possibly increasing the star rating.

      So when you say that I ” . . . totally ignored the facts revealed in [your] video,” you are completely 100% wrong. Not only did I NOT ignore them, but I gave them serious consideration, and have decided to modify my review.

      You need to get your facts straight. 🙂

      Jeff

      • Sorry Jeff

        I notice now you did make comments that accepted several of your errors

        Think I missed them due to badwificonnection here in Spain

        Sorry for any offender my last comment may have caused

  • Rob Butcher says:

    Thank for pointing out how poor this product is. I hope you save American magicians a lot of money by not purchasing this.

    Sadly the reputation of this “magician” is not as high as his ego, even in the UK.

  • Jay Best says:

    I think everyone has had an opportunity to express their thoughts. I think we can safely put this thread to bed. The last thing I want to happen to Magic Reviewed is it to turn into The Magic Cafe.

    • Jeff Stone says:

      @Jay – Thanks. I was just about to come on and say the same thing. I’m going to block comments on this one. I may even delete some.

  • Jeff Stone says:

    Hey everyone – I appreciate the comments and feedback on this thread, however things are getting too personal and unprofessional, so I’m locking the thread and will not allow any more comments.