Description

“Ring in Walnut”, a DVD by John Shryock, takes the classic effect and makes it easier to perform and packs a wallop for even the most jaded of audiences, but lacks some of the charm of its predecessors.I have always loved this type of routine. My first exposure to it was Orson Welles doing it with a coin. Traditionally, it was done with a parakeet (thankfully we’ve gotten away from that particular animal cruelty) or some personal object belonging to a spectator (I want to say a glove but don’t quote me on that one) and usually ended with the object being found inside the egg. Regardless, the impossibilities of the things being one inside the other was shocking, surprising, and just the nesting knocked them for a loop.Enter Shryock’s routine, which goes a little like this:A spectator’s ring is swapped for a lemon, placed in a small bag, and then smashed with a hammer. The performer dumps out the contents to reveal crushed walnuts. The performer takes the lemon, peels it, and reveals that inside is an egg. The egg is then broken and a walnut is seen inside. The walnut is cracked open and there, inside, is the spectator’s ring.This is a very good routine (and I love the workings of it). It packs small and, in more formal settings or platform environments, this absolutely is a stunning piece of work. On the mechanical front, the moves are very nice and the load is indescribably good. More than anything, Shryock has made preparing the thing much easier. It’s extensive still, don’t get me wrong, but making up the required props is simpler doing it Shryock’s way. Given that, I have no qualms making this up; here, the response is greater than the effort of arts and crafts.While we’re on the subject, Shryock goes a long way here in describing even the small, little, almost insignificant things. Shryock has done this countless times – you can tell – and he’s passing on a world of experience with this routine. This is a professional’s routine, professionally taught.Of course, having said that, there are caveats here.First up, find a different way to vanish the ring. Shryock’s method is good enough, but there are other, better ones out there you might want to consider.Second, I really like the charm of the old presentation, where each nested item is vanished beforehand. It feels more complete, more natural, when the time comes and the lemon is cut into. I think I’d prefer to present this that way than Shryock’s more rapid routine. But then again, with attention spans shrinking, perhaps the older presentation no longer plays. Still, while I find Shryock’s presentation a “second best” when so compared, it’s easy enough to apply Shryock’s work to that type of routine.Third and last, I’m just not all the comfortable doing this with a spectator’s ring. I chicken out when it comes to that. Personally, I’d feel more comfortable doing this with something else (signed coin, bill… something) than a spectator’s ring which gets dangerously close to a nutcracker. Granted Shryock addresses this in his instructions, but my hair gets a little grayer thinking about what could happen to someone else’s ring.And, really, those are the only things to consider when it comes to this one. Given everything, this is a powerful, entertaining routine which is made much more workable and the set-up much easier than such previous routines.If you work formal close-up or platform venues, then this is one true reputation-maker that is hard to beat.”Ring in Walnut” DVD by John ShryockIn a Blink: 8 Out of 10Material: 9This is a great update on the ancient and venerable classic, with an excellent method. If you’re performing in a formal close-up or platform environment, and don’t mind the extensive set-up, then this could make your reputation.Practicality: 10You need Shryock’s prep work done and that’s about it. Borrow a ring and you’re good to go. This is very practical for formal shows.Quality of Production: 5The production values are good enough to get you going with Shryock’s routine. Though there were a couple of drops in sound, it surely isn’t enough to affect your learning.Quality of Instruction: 10Shryock does a fantastic job of teaching his version and covers so many of the little things that add up to this being a reputation-maker. This is what comes from tons of experience with the routine, and Shryock certainly has that.Presentation: 8I have always loved this routine, and Shryock’s is beautifully done. However, it feels like half a routine without the sequential vanishing first. Also, the idea of doing this with a ring is a little frightening to me. Biases aside, this version does pack a punch and the work is masterfully done for maximum impact.