Comedy Magic Textbook by David Roper & David Ginn [Estate Sale]

This item comes from an estate sale. It has not been opened and is in sealed, brand new condition.

Spanning 248 hardbound pages, The Comedy Magic Textbook by David Roper distills over 20 years of research and real-world experience into a comprehensive guide to comedy magic. Roper examines the subject from every angle—combining solid theory with practical application—so you’ll not only understand why comedy works, but how to use it effectively.

Inside, you’ll find dozens of tried, tested, and performance-ready routines, brought to life with 80 illustrations by Jim Kleefeld and 30 photographs.

This book is written for magicians, clowns, comedians, ventriloquists, public speakers, storytellers—anyone who wants to entertain with engaging, family-friendly comedy magic. It’s a resource that informs, inspires, and challenges you to think creatively, while serving as a go-to reference you’ll revisit again and again as you develop your own material.

Contents include 12 chapters:

1. Why Do Comedy Magic? – Eight compelling reasons that make sense.
2. What Is Comedy Magic? – Four core types, with plenty of examples.
3. How to Perform Comedy Magic Effectively – Two proven approaches, plus gags and routines.
4. General Suggestions – Nine essential principles, including character development, writing, and avoiding cheap laughs.
5. A Controversial Question – The ethics of using others’ routines and published material.

The second half of the book focuses on complete routines:

6. The Polish-Irish-Aggie Award Winning Trick
7. Comedy Opening Routine – featuring a chain escape and suitcase sequence
8. Tumbleweed Tidbits – including the “Rice Bowls”
9. Comedy Car Mat – a close-up worker’s dream
10. Hippity-Hop Rabbits – adaptable for kids or adults
11. Patriotic Professor Cheer – with a strong finish
12. Less-Than-Perfect Magician – including a pullet production, MIKO, and a wild head chopper

The Comedy Magic Textbook stands as one of the few dedicated works exploring the art of family-oriented comedy magic—making it an essential addition to any performer’s library.