Prepare to whisk your audience away on a wild ride with this absolute gem from Luke Jermay.
In cahoots with Vanishing Inc., "Illumination" is one of Jermay's treasured creations. Now, you might be thinking it's just another book test, but trust me, it's a whole lot more than that. Fine-tuned over thousands of performances, this reliable 15-minute routine slips seamlessly into any working set—like a well-tailored suit (but less itchy).
While many modern book tests seem to be in a competition for who can cram the most methods into one book, "Illumination" takes a different path. By blending a handful of techniques, you can unveil words, stories, and even your spectator's innermost thoughts and feelings!
You’ll pick two lucky volunteers and hand each a book. They’ll open it to a random page and read the first paragraph in silence (no peeking!). For the first reveal, you’ll have the whole audience tap into the emotions of the character in the book. For the second, you’ll collaborate with the audience to conjure a sound that fits the scene perfectly (like an awkward first date, but less cringey).
And just when they think they’ve seen it all, you invite a new person to the party. They pick either book, flip to any page, and find a long, tricky word that tickles their fancy. As they picture this word in their mind, you attempt to sketch the images on your pad. At first, it looks like a toddler’s doodles (don’t worry, it gets better). Then you unveil a connection that’ll leave them scratching their heads in disbelief. This cleverly-structured finale adds a whole new layer of astonishment that you’ll absolutely adore.
As you’d expect from both Luke Jermay and Vanishing Inc., "Illumination" is top-notch. The two specially-crafted books are a delight to hold and have been designed for maximum ease (because who needs unnecessary fuss?).
No sleight of hand needed here—seriously! In the in-depth instruction video, Luke walks you through how to wow an audience of 10 to 1,000 with nothing more than these two books and a pad of paper in a routine that’s surprisingly straightforward.
Don’t miss out—grab your copy of "Illumination" today!
