The Cigarette Routine

Cigarette magic is obsolete. Dead. People with cigarettes get the lynching. However, done as a "perverted" magic routine this is great. To the uninitiated: Perverted magic is, when the cause of the magic is not the magician and the magic happens against the will of the performer. A good inner monologue actually makes it possible to convey the thought that the magic is unwanted to the audience. Generally people like that approach if it is used sparingly. Trying to light the cigarette but failing constantly because of the magic interfering. The roots of that routine comes from David Stones Quit Smoking routine, which is a good start if you are interested in basic manipulation with cigarettes. The routine as it is demonstrated here is not difficult at all and the setup is minimal. (big pockets help)

The cigarette is never lit and therefore any danger is excluded from the routine. I used to end the thing by not being able to light the lighter and then, when it finally happens the cigarette is broken. Here is the routine done for real people in 2006 on stage. (German performance)



And because it's still my birthday here you go with a little added bonus.



PS. I don't smoke!