Distilled is a remarkable collection of practical, professional effects straight from the working repertoire of Ryan Plunkett, the resident magician at the renowned Chicago Magic Lounge. Much like a fine whiskey, this impressive selection has been meticulously distilled and refined through countless real-world performances for sold-out crowds six nights a week.
With over 300 stunning photographs across 200 pages of step-by-step instructions, Distilled demands your attention (not that it’s begging for it). As noted in the foreword by legendary Magic Castle performer Mike Pisciotta, Ryan has painstakingly polished this material over time, ensuring every detail is spot on. The result? Masterfully crafted routines that can seamlessly slot into any close-up or parlor magic show.
Distilled showcases Ryan’s inventive twists on classic effects, including his ACAAN-inspired routine, “Any Card at Our Numbers,” and “Paper and Silk,” his clever cards-through-silk routine. He also serves up some creative gems like “Fan Mail,” where a chosen card matches one sealed in an envelope (because why not?), and “Gravity Deck,” a surreal routine where a deck of cards appears and disappears; and yes, the spectators can actually feel it in their hands.
Here’s a cheeky taster of what you’ll find in Distilled:
Ace on Top - Ryan’s not shy about admitting this will likely be the crowd-pleaser from the book. A true worker's effect, it employs a stylish mix of sleights and counts that are a doddle to perform. Even after mixing up a bunch of cards, they somehow all find their way back to where they started. Magic? More like wizardry.
Any Card at Our Numbers - An absolute must-have opener for your card magic shows. A spectator picks one of two decks and gives it a shuffle. Despite their best efforts, a card appears at the same number in both decks. Go figure.
Magnetic Silver - A brilliantly visual twist on the Magnetic Coins plot. Ryan’s ironed out the kinks that can trip up earlier versions, giving you a complete routine that convincingly makes two ordinary coins look like they’ve developed a magnetic attraction (who knew coins could be so romantic?).
The Time Machine - Watch as a deck of cards defies the laws of time in Ryan’s unique spin on a Triumph-inspired plot. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
