Never Mind the Bollocks by Etienne Pradier

“If you don’t know Etienne or his work then take it for me when I say he’s one of the most talented magicians I know. Aside from being technically superb I’ve seen him work for real people in the real world (as well as for the King of England) and he is always engaging. His magic is so strong. I can’t wait to learn his new material. Bonnet de douche Etienne. Bonnet de douche!”
– Nicholas Einhorn

“I very much look forward to the translation of this book by Etienne, as he has a very rare combination of art and commerce. He’s not just charming, skillful and original, but his work schedule is also regularly booked!”
– Gregory Wilson

“Never Mind The Bollocks contains material that won’t just make your audience’s jaws drop in amazement-it might blow their minds completely. The value of this work of magical literature, I believe, can only be surpassed by Bitcoin… though I’m not entirely sure. What I am sure of is that Napoleon would be very proud of Étienne Pradier.”
– Fenik

If you’ve ever stood in front of a group and felt that your magic was technically good… but missing something – you’re not alone.

Most magicians reach a point where the methods are solid, the moves are clean, yet the impact doesn’t feel as strong as it should. The audience reacts, but it doesn’t stay with them.

Etienne Pradier has been there.

Before performing for the British Royal Family, before becoming a respected name in the UK corporate scene, he spent years refining one simple question: Why do some performances truly land, and others don’t?

His answer was never about doing more. It was about doing what matters – with clarity, rhythm, and personality.

This book is the result of that search.

The Content

Never Mind The Bollocks is primarily a card magic book – Pradier’s strongest domain – featuring routines designed to work in real performance conditions. These are not theoretical exercises or clever variations for session use. They are structured pieces built for clarity, rhythm, and strong reactions.

Inside, you’ll find an impromptu CAAN with a borrowed deck, impossible transpositions, multi-phase constructions with strong climaxes, and routines capable of fooling even experienced magicians.

The book also includes a reimagined coin matrix with a striking ending, as well as Pradier’s favorite rope routine for the stage – visual, fast-paced, and performance-ready.

Beyond the methods, Pradier shares insights into structure, pacing, audience management, and performance attitude. The influence of the Sex Pistols is not aesthetic decoration. It reflects a philosophy: keep what works, remove what doesn’t, and perform with personality.

Why This Book Matters

Never Mind The Bollocks isn’t just a book of tricks – it’s a shift in attitude.

If you’ve ever felt your magic was “good”… but not unforgettable, this book speaks directly to you. Etienne Pradier shares real-world, hard-earned experience from demanding stages, teaching you how to strip away the unnecessary, hit harder, and own the room.This is not simply a collection of tricks.

It is a working repertoire – and a mindset.

After this book, you won’t be the cautious magician anymore – you’ll be the one audiences remember.