Pop-Up Magic is the long-awaited magic book by French magician Eric Leblon, brought to life with the writing talents of Yvan Laplaud and published by 3 Monkeys Publishing. With over 20 years of professional experience, Eric Leblon opens the doors to his creative world – a unique blend of high-impact routines, theoretical essays, and personal reflections that reveal the heart and soul of a passionate performer. This book stands out by its remarkable coherence, even while offering an eclectic mix of card magic, stage illusions, manipulations with live animals, visual transformations, and practical performance advice. The pages are brimming with usable material – from ultra-commercial routines to original sleights, psychology of spectators, and rehearsal strategies that transcend technical instruction. It’s more than a collection of tricks – it’s a performance philosophy. Leblon’s infectious energy and honesty breathe through each page, making this a must-have for anyone serious about enhancing their magic both technically and artistically. The magic described in Pop-Up Magic is deeply commercial and strikingly visual: Cards to Impossible Locations: Card to shoe, card to box, card under box – with clever loading methods that happen right under the spectators’ noses. Transformations: Instant visual changes, like the Watch Change or the Ace switch, with minimal sleights but strong results. Animal Appearances: Live dove productions from sleeves and egg transformations create powerful theatrical moments. Multi-phase Routines: “Box Phenomenon” and “Storm Under an Ace” are examples of smartly constructed routines that escalate in impact. Practical Close-Up and Stage Magic: All routines are tested in real conditions – from table-hopping to television, from cabarets to competitions. These effects captivate because they combine clean visuals with emotional connection, using structure, psychology, and misdirection rather than gimmicks. Pop-Up Magic is a rare treasure: a magic book that is as enriching as it is useful. Eric Leblon delivers a masterclass in performance, theory, and artistry, all wrapped in vivid storytelling and killer effects. Whether you're a seasoned performer or an ambitious student, this book will inspire you, challenge you, and transform the way you think about magic. Don’t miss out. This is the kind of book that doesn’t just teach tricks — it leaves a mark. Table of Content Foreword by Jean-Jacques SanvertAn enthusiastic endorsement of Eric Leblon’s talent and work ethic, praising the impact, intelligence, and emotion of the routines described. Autobiographical ChapterA vivid and deeply personal memoir spanning Eric’s journey from a street performer in Antibes to a seasoned professional sharing stages and TV sets across Europe. It’s an inspiring and sometimes touching story of perseverance, betrayal, resilience, and magic. Theoretical Essay: “The Selection of Effects”A robust and enlightening exploration into how magicians should choose their material, based on coherence, character, commercial impact, and technical clarity. Practical Routines (Selected highlights): Card to ShoeA signed card is found impossibly folded inside the magician’s shoe. A classic plot with a practical, performable method. Watch ChangeA face-up card tucked under the performer’s watch transforms into the selection — seamlessly integrated into a handling that requires no double lifts. Storm Under an AceA surprising four-ace routine combining visual magic and technical finesse with Leblon’s “watch change” at the heart of the climax. Dove from SleeveA stunning appearance of a live dove from a borrowed jacket, requiring only a simple Topit and clever body handling. Egg to DoveA beautiful and poetic transformation of an egg into a dove in the spectator’s jacket sleeve. Loading a Card into the Box / Under the BoxTwo ultra-clean and practical methods for getting a signed card into or under a card box, with extensive applications. Box PhenomenonA highly entertaining routine where the signed card keeps appearing under, inside, and finally instead of the rest of the deck — a mini theatrical piece blending surprise, structure, and humor. Practice & Rehearsal SectionA brilliant essay – part motivational, part instructional – where Eric addresses procrastination, practice habits, mirror work, mime, focus, tempo, and mental conditioning for magicians. Highlights Original and Powerful Effects: Practical routines that have been polished over hundreds of live performances. Deep Theoretical Insight: Essays on effect selection, unity, character development, and spectator psychology offer invaluable guidance. Pedagogical Clarity: Descriptions are thorough, logically structured, and illustrated with photos, making even advanced techniques accessible. Stage & Close-Up Flexibility: The material spans multiple performance contexts — with tools for every setting. Authentic Voice: Eric’s sincerity, vulnerability, and humor make the book not only instructional but deeply human and enjoyable to read. Rare Blend of Wisdom and Practicality: The sections on motivation and rehearsal are worth the price of the book alone.
