yes, some people say that a magician must know those 2 classic effects to be considered one. generally, i must say it seems rather true that ppl who learn those are worthy of being one, but i dont think its an absolute standard. what is the standard? maybe u guys just give it a little thought, i dont feel like typing out my personal criterias out here.
(update: just made a new topic regarding these criterias:
http://forums.singaporemagiccircle.com/ind...showtopic=2713)i say,"Be a thinker and a doer".
regarding the routine, i find it wierd that the b'day cake is at the start. since a birthday cake and songs are sung after events, it shud be put at the end too, to provide a conclusion to the segment. also, unless u can very well lead the show towards floating a card, i think its a misfit.
by assuming that the it rose and appearing rose u actually meant floating rose, and by using a theme of love, i would rearrange the routine to be:
1. d'lite (just some visual stuff as a start)
2. end with the d'lite cloth (only now shape of heart)
3. Floating rose (using the flaming finger to light it)
(then, quickly put the flower aside and act that the flame is hurting ur finger. bring out a piece of red tissue to just gently massage ur finger. then bring it out and show its a shape of a heart.)
4. torn and restored
(tear the restored piece again, they will think u are redoing it. but however, this time u fail. u quickly pop it into ur mouth and pretended nothing happened. this is a great comedy bit.)
5. mouth coil (red)
this can also signify the end of the routine, by now, there should be a continuous applause. just before it dies down, the cake is rolled in onto stage prompting the applause to get louder. Before it dies down again, quickly light it up magically. I would use flash string tied through all the wicks and lighting one with a lighter, and act surprised as the flame spreads to all. (i dun think flaming finger can light all, u'll probabaly burn ur finger) this again prompts a loud round of applause.
at the climax of the applause, some song (preferably b'day song) is blasted and after the applause dies down during the intro of the song, everyone sings along.