MAGICWEBGUIDE
The Performer's Notebook

by Dennis Regling

Mobius Madness (with two routines)

I have had such a positive response to Mobius Strips that they are now part of most of my kids shows. I first read about them (again and again) in several magic books from the library. It sounded so simple, and unmagical, that for years I never used them. One night, in a pinch for a trick to use with a Bible
devotion for grade school age children, I made up a set.

Wowsers! What a wonderful response I got.

How to Make Mobius Strips
You need:
Scissors
A piece of paper
A pen
Scotch or masking tape

Cut the paper lengthwise into three steps. Take the first strip and tape it together into a loop. Take the second strip and, with the pen, make a small dot.

Before forming it into a loop, twist one of the ends. Tape the ends together.
Take the last strip and make two dots. Do as before, but twist the strip twice before taping it.

Hint: Any sheet of paper will do in a pinch, but I have found that I can make large links out of drywall tape. Not only can I make loops large enough for a big group to see, but the tendency of the drywall tape to curl hides the twists very naturally.

You can now perform the trick that follows.

You need:
A pair of scissors
The three Mobius strips

Patter: I once had a friend who was a belt-maker at a circus. One day the circus
owner saw the beautiful belt "Mary" (I use the name of one of the children) had
made and asked for one for himself. Pick up the loop with no dot. Using the
scissor, pierce through a place in the loop and start cutting forward. You
should end up with two loops.
When the Siamese twins, joined at the hip, saw the circus owner's belt, they
wanted one two. Pick up the belt with the two dots. Repeat as before. Because of
the twists, the belt will become two belts connected.
When the fat lady saw the belts, she wanted one too. Do you know why they called
her the fat lady? (Wait for answer - it is funny to the kids when one of them
yells out, "Because she was fat.) Again, repeat as before. You will end up with
one large belt. That's the story of "Mary" the belt-maker.!

Gospel Presentation: I use the rings in a Gospel presentation by calling up
three volunteers (I prefer three girls, roughly the same age). I explain that I
made these rings, and although they look identical, each possesses a magical
quality which I reveal by cutting the rings. Placing the rings over the heads of
the volunteers brings them into the performance and gets a good reaction.

I then explain how God has made us, and though we are alike in many ways, he has
given each of us special gifts too. That we are all uniquely special in God's
eyes.

The beauty of this presentation is that I involved 3 children, even though they
were nothing more than an object in a lesson, it adds a personal touch to the
trick. All three received souvenirs of their time with the "magician."

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PREVIOUS ARTICLES BY DENNIS:
Mobias Madness (with two routines)	Becoming a Magician: Get Rich Quick
Healing with magic	Real Magic: The Mentalist
What Every Magician Needs	Sound Systems for Magicians
Do it Yourself Magic Kits	Classified Ad Prediction
Marketing Secrets	Developing Business Referrals For Magicians
Postcard Marketing	Audience Warm-ups
The Wedding Magician	Targeted Marketing
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Dennis Regling is a professional magician, author and lecturer. He performs educational programs at over 250 elementary and junior high schools every year. Additionally, he performs gospel magic programs at church camps, Vacation Bible Schools and other church events. Dennis has authored over 12 books for magicians. Dennis currently resides in Freeport, Ohio and performs throughout the east and midwest.

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