It’s August 9th, a Saturday, 9:00 AM—the perfect time for the Monster Magic Saturday Show. Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re doing well. I’ve had an incredibly busy week, mainly because of the first item I want to talk about:
Not ESP by Jake Keane (£25.50)
Jake Keane, known for clever mentalism ideas, released this app at Blackpool, and it’s a powerhouse of a routine. Here’s how it works: you and your participant both take out your phones. You announce that you’ll send them an ESP symbol, which you draw on your phone before placing it face down on the table. They draw the symbol they think you sent. When they turn your phone over, it matches. Then the process reverses: they “send” you a symbol, your phone stays untouched on the table, they draw theirs, and once again—it matches. Finally, they can draw a simple picture, and somehow your phone reveals the same image.
This effect is so baffling because the method is invisible. Your phone remains face down, completely out of your hands, which makes the reveal incredibly strong. ESP symbols are instantly recognisable, so there’s no need to explain them, though you can sketch them out on paper first if you want. Everything is handled through the Notes app, making the premise look natural—people already use their phones for jotting ideas and sketches.
The only stumbling block is the installation process. It isn’t exactly “download, enter code, done.” It takes a bit of patience, and the instructions could be clearer. Still, Murphy’s provides good support, and once installed, it runs smoothly. Expect 10–15 minutes of setup, but it’s worth every second.
The real genius of Not ESP is how it layers its method. It disguises what’s happening so thoroughly that the obvious explanation never feels like the explanation. It’s a hands-off routine requiring no sleight of hand, yet it feels like pure mentalism. The drawing duplication stage adds even more impact, and though it uses some light memory work, it’s customisable and manageable—like practicing multiplication tables. Start with ESP symbols to get comfortable, then move to drawings once you’ve mastered the flow.
The beauty lies in versatility. It works on any smartphone, and the participant doesn’t even need one. They could draw on paper, in the air, or simply name an image. Since most people always carry their phones, this routine is practical and ready whenever you are. Jake’s tutorial videos are thorough, clear, and even entertaining—he shifts outfits and hairstyles across sections, half the screen showing him and half his phone. If you miss something, you can easily rewind. And yes, the app can be transferred between phones if you upgrade.
In performance, the ESP symbols will always hit. With free-choice drawings, sometimes you’ll be slightly off, but that often feels more authentic. When participants see you’re close to their private image, it can feel stronger than a perfect duplication. For the price, this feels almost too good to be true, and the optional add-on Not ESP Plus expands the drawing duplication even further. Overall, this is brilliant, powerful mentalism.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/not-esp-by-jake-keane
Leviosa Phone by João Miranda and Julio Montoro (£189.99)
This builds on the older Leviosa card effect, except now your phone itself animates. You place your phone on the ground, it flips over, the flashlight flickers, and then it rises into your hand. It’s dramatic, visual, and, frankly, a polarizing effect. Some magicians will love it, others won’t.
Method-wise, it uses thread technology. That means maintenance, delicacy, and practice are unavoidable. The gimmick comes as a dummy phone that looks convincingly like a generic smartphone. The switch is clean, taught with and without a jacket, and the hookup is straightforward. From the spectator’s perspective, it’s baffling—they don’t expect animation, they don’t know invisible thread technology exists, and the combination of flipping, light, and levitation is surprising and quick.
Yes, there’s a faint noise, but it’s easy to cover with patter. João Miranda’s tutorial is detailed, covering handling, maintenance, and even multiple presentations—Julio’s original version and Jack Rhodes’ Siri-themed routine, which cleverly disguises the method with patter. As with all thread work, you must handle with care. The gimmick is not as durable as a real phone, so don’t sit on it or drop it. It’s expensive but if you enjoy high-impact, visual phone magic, it’s a lot of fun.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/leviosa-phone-by-joao-miranda-and-julio-montoro
Codenic by Esya G (£30.00)
The second ESP matching routine of the week using a spectator’s phone. You lay out ESP symbol cards, they pick one, and then scan a QR code that reveals their chosen symbol on their phone. The props include a wallet, ESP cards, and a plastic QR code card. The cards themselves are a bit flimsy, but the wallet is well made.
The method relies on multiple outs, but the structure is clever: four options are covered by the QR, and the fifth outcome actually feels the strongest because it gets a double reveal. The effect is self-working, and though you don’t end totally clean in every case, some basic audience management solves that. The strength here is simplicity—no apps, no setup, just props and a participant’s phone with internet. It’s good value, though it suffers from being released alongside the more versatile Not ESP. Still, it’s clean, easy, and practical.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/codenic-by-esya-g
Time Travel by Nicholas Mavresis (£21.50)
This isn’t strictly a phone trick, but it flirts with the theme by playing with the idea of time. The effect uses cards depicting different eras: dinosaurs, the Wild West, the 1980s, even futuristic settings like AI uprisings. Spectators choose a time period, and you reveal it through one of five taught routines.
The cards hide a clever secret in their backs, and Nicholas teaches handling, shuffles, and false cuts to support the method. Most routines are simple and self-working, though one or two involve light sleight of hand. Conceptually, “time travel” is engaging, it invites stories, imagery, and drama but the artwork feels underwhelming. The pastels don’t pop, and while some designs (like the Miami Vice-inspired 1980s) are amusing, others feel flat. Still, with presentation, the concept can shine, and the memory work required is minimal.
https://monstermagic.co.uk/products/time-travel-by-nikolas-mavresis
So, this week brings two outstanding releases—Not ESP and Leviosa Phone—alongside two solid but less standout effects, Codenick and Time Travel. If you’re drawn to practical, powerful mentalism, Not ESP is a must. If you want flashy visual magic, Leviosa Phone delivers. The others are good, but not groundbreaking.
That wraps up this week’s show. Thanks for tuning in—go out there, perform some magic, and enjoy the best hobby in the world. See you next week!