Magic Video - Bob Read Collection by Bob Read (Digital Download)

Experience the Genius of Bob Read

Step into the extraordinary world of Robert Graham Read, universally known as 'Bob,' widely acclaimed as the United Kingdom's greatest magician. This unique digital collection encapsulates Bob's legendary ability to combine comedy and magic, producing a 'rolling wave of hysteria' in audiences—a feat matched by few, including the likes of Juan Tamariz and David Williamson. Beyond his captivating performances, Bob was a dedicated researcher and historian, deeply specializing in early London magic and iconic 'Cups and Balls' imagery.

Unforgettable Routines and Profound Teachings

This comprehensive 4-DVD digital set, spanning over eight hours, showcases Bob Read's incredible journey from 1976 through 2005. Witness his most celebrated routines, including the astounding 'Bottle Production,' the perplexing '$100 Glass Through Table,' the clever 'Transpo Tumbler,' 'Knife Through Coat,' and the engaging 'Impromptu Cups and Balls.' Many of these signature pieces are not only performed but also thoroughly taught, alongside Bob's invaluable ideas and theories on crafting truly hilarious and impactful comedy magic.

Delve into Magic History and Theory

Beyond the stage, this collection offers rare historical lectures. Join Bob as he unveils the 300-year evolution of 'Cups and Balls' prints and recounts his fascinating search for the enigmatic author behind parts of magic history's illustrious 'Annals of Conjuring.' Take a guided tour through magical London with Bob, pinpointing historical sites filled with arcane tidbits. Furthermore, an exclusive interview with Richard Kaufman reveals Bob's true, profound insights into misdirection and the psychological underpinnings of comedy magic.

Exclusive Bonus Content for the Serious Student

As an unparalleled bonus, this digital download provides PDF files of all seven of Bob Read's highly sought-after publications: 'Thanks to Pepys,' 'What You Get is What I Do,' 'Knife Through Coat,' 'Bottle Production,' '$100 Glass Through Table,' 'Transpo Tumbler,' and 'Penultimate Cups and Balls.' Additionally, the complete 2004 Genii magazine issue, dedicated to Bob and his monumental work, is included. This collection truly offers an exhaustive look into the life, mind, and magic of one of the art's most revered practitioners.

Original Specs

Bob Read Collection by Bob Read ( Instant Download )

Robert Graham Read ("Bob" to one and all) was one of the unique figures in magic. Bob was the greatest magician the United Kingdom has ever produced. His comedy, his magic, and their combination was unique and produced a rolling wave of hysteria in his audiences that few magicians other than Juan Tamariz, David Williamson, Bill Malone, and Tom Mullica have been able to match. He was also a dogged-researcher and historian/collector, specializing in the early history of magic in London and images of magicians performing the cups and balls.

This unique 4-DVD set contains over eight hours of Bob Read's performances, ranging from 1976 through 2005, including all of his most famous routines. Several lectures are also included in which many of the routines are taught, along with Bob's ideas and theories about comedy. You'll get to see Bob perform his incredible "Bottle Production," "$100 Glass Through Table," "Transpo Tumbler," "Knife Through Coat," "Quasimodo Card Trick," "D(I)ice Stacking," "Gypsy Torn and Restored Thread," "Impromptu Cups and Balls," "Four Coin Production with Handkerchief," and much more. Many of these routines are also thoroughly explained.

Also included are two historical lectures Bob gave, one on the history of prints of the cups and balls over the last 300 years, the second on the search for the mysterious author of parts of one of magic history's most famous books, the Annals of Conjuring.

Let Bob also take you on a walk through magical London, pointing out the sites where interesting magic tidbits took place over the past 400 years. Sit in on a private interview Richard Kaufman conducted with Bob in which he explains the true secrets of misdirection and comedy magic.

Also included on this set are pdf files of all seven of Bob Read's publications, Thanks to Pepys, What You Get is What I Do, "Knife Through Coat," "Bottle Production," "$100 Glass Through Table," "Transpo Tumbler," and "Penultimate Cups and Balls." The entire issue of Genii dedicated to Bob and his work from 2004 is also included.

All told, these four DVDs encapsulate the life of one of magic's greatest practitioners.

Disc One Running Time Approximately 2hrs 14min
Disc Two Running Time Approximately 2hrs 6min
Disc Three Running Time Approximately 2hrs 20min
Disc Four Running Time Approximately 75min