I.B.M. Ring 9

Ring Reports

11/15/1999

No. 9, Atlanta, Georgia -- Georgia Magic Club
3rd Monday, 7:30 PM, Chamblee-Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road
KIRK PUMPHREY, President (bkpump@bellsouth.net)
RILEY LOYD, Secretary
Web Site: http://www.mindspring.com/~rick/ring9.html

The November meeting consisted of a fast business session followed by a lecture from local professional Robert Bengel. As President Kirk Pumphrey opened the meeting, there was still some lingering discussion about the Atlanta Harvest of Magic which had concluded two days earlier. The business before the club centered on the ongoing nominations for officers, Board of Directors, and "Magician of the Year." Nominations were duly noted and elections will occur next month. With the business meeting out of the way, the focus of the group turned to the evening's magic.

Due to the lecture, there was no theme for this month's meeting and our full attention went to our lecturer, Robert Bengel. Bengel is a successful trade-show magician as well as a hospitality suite performer. He gave the Ring the benefit of his years of experience not only in demonstrating his magic, but more importantly by discussing the psychological and business aspects of why he makes the choices he does.

The lecture consisted of only a handful of effects, any one of which would make a fine closer in a trade show performance. The first effect, "Quad Speller My Way," was based on an effect from the Hugard/Braue Encyclopedia of Card Magic. Bengel proved that novel thinking and presentation can turn what some people might consider an old chestnut into a mystifying and applause-getting effect. He also used this effect to discuss some ways to involve sales representatives when working trade shows.

In "Schizophrenic Visitor," Bengel demonstrated a clean and simplified handling of the "Visitor" plot, found in The Classic Magic of Larry Jennings and in other sources. The explanation of the mechanics was simple and direct; however, the discussion of what is perceived by the spectator was even more valuable and is something that is usually learned only through years of performing experience. The attendees really got the chance to take an accelerated path through the University of Hard Knocks.

Next up was Bengel's well-honed "Multiple Selection" routine. Routines of this nature are automatic reputation makers, and they leave so much room for customizing productions to the performer's personal style that they are sure to become signature pieces. Bengel thoroughly explained the mechanics of the card controls he uses in the routine, plus some of the production mechanics. The most valuable aspect of this discussion was to gain an understanding of the peaks and valleys of the spectator's attention throughout the selection and production phases of the routine. Also entertaining was a story relating to Bengel's first performance of this routine at the Magic Castle, with the Professor in attendance.

Despite Bengel's renown as a coinman, this lecture did not include a single coin effect though some were included in the notes. Instead of a lecture solely on magic props and tricks, we were treated to the inside scoop on trade show work and the psychology of maintaining the crowd's attention. The mechanics of the tricks took a backseat - they were all available in the notes and other materials - and the discussion revolved around the real secrets of making magic entertaining and profitable.

Submitted 18 November 1999
Joe M. Turner