Mystic Tubes of Sea-Ling by Richard Gerlitz

Richard Gerlitz has the ability to study a standard effect or idea, see the potential, and take it to that next level. He embellishes it with markedly improved quality props and a patter that makes sense to the magic. He did this with an interesting effect called Hydro Die. The method was a great concept but it just seemed awkward to have a die in a column of water. Richard re-invented this effect with the release of Lead to Gold and the result was entertaining and smooth flowing magic.

Well, Richard has done the same with “Newton’s Nightmare”. This effect was released in a deluxe version by Wellington Enterprises, followed by a simpler cheap prop on the market. Both were made in aluminum. Paul Green also released Field Sobriety Test based on the same idea. Now, we have the Gerlitz touch and what I believe is the ultimate version of this effect.

First, the props are a joy. Two, not one, 6-inch solid brass tubes are used. The diameter is 5/8 inch and the wall thickness is over 1/16 inch around. These are definitely not flimsy metal tubes but hefty well-machined props. The tubes are polished and decorated with black banding at each end and a center Oriental dragon design as pictured. They are a beauty to own and use.

One always hears that presentation is the key to any magic performance. Well, Richard uses the idea of Ying and Yang, represented by each tube to validate the magic. Apart, the tubes are “normal” but bring the tubes together and in unity the magic occurs as the steel ball warps the law of gravity. I like the acrobatic interplay between the two tubes as shown on Richard’s video demonstration. The slow falling ball is “caught” in the second tube held below. The action is repeated several times, in a sort of a loop, with reversing the tubes till the performer eventually decides to catch the ball in the palm. Separate the tubes and gravity becomes normal again, the harmony of Ying and Yang broken. What a great routine! Here is another winner and probably the nicest of his “affordable” releases to date.

Effect: The master Sea-Ling, when teaching his scholars the secrets of Ying and Yang, would use 2 brass tubes and a steel ball to demonstrate the principle of opposing forces working in unison.

Two decorative brass tubes were handed to the students, one representing the force of Ying, and the other the force of Yang. A loose fitting steel ball falls freely through each tube. However, when the tubes are placed end to end on top of each other, the forces align and disturbances in time, space, and matter occur.

To demonstrate this, the student holds the 2 tubes in alignment and Sea-Ling drops the ball into the top opening. Instead of falling through, the ball remains in the tubes until released by a snap of the master`s fingers. The master then holds the tubes and the student places the ball in the top tube. This time the ball falls so slowly, that Sea-Ling is able to raise one tube above the other and keep the ball traveling through the tubes.

As a final demonstration, the student is invited to drop the ball himself and watch the ball float slowly down the tubes. When the tubes are separated, everything returns to normal.

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