David Williamson The Cups & Raccoons

David Williamson defies description. Nothing to read here. Move along.

While his "Cups and Balls" routine uses only two cups, as opposed to the traditional three, that is not the reason this routine is unusual. 

Chantatachán was a program produced for Telemadrid in 1992-93. We would like to thank Juan Tamariz and Luis Piedrahita for making this content available.

playlist 6 videos

The Oldest Trick in the Book

For this playlist, we have selected five of the many cup and ball routines that reside in The Screening Room.

We have included an elegant, minimalist solution by RENÉ LAVAND, who presents a one cup version called Three Breadcrumbs. How about a hilarious two-cup version by the wild and whacky DAVID WILLIAMSON? We also have a classic three cup and three ball routine, but this one uses steel ball bearings, and is presented by PAUL GERTNER.

To offer variety of the classic version, we also include a famous version, which uses famous voices, presented by magic legend JOHNNY THOMPSON. To round out the set, we have a version where ROSS BERTRAM combines his exceptional sleight-of-hand handling, with television wizardry, as he presents a slightly surreal version—and even a possible solution to the age old question: How does he do it?

Even More

Now, if you are really interested in this particular subject, visit our online exhibition, an immersive and interactive exhibition that explores the history and the magic behind this mystifying mystery. 

And, we have more! There is also this in-depth Take Two essay, by Jamy Ian Swiss, where Mr. Swiss gives you an intense overview and analysis of this beloved magic trick.