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Take a Stand
by Kevin Gallagher
I have a stand that I use for a number of different types of magical
presentation. The stand is now my mark III as I have learned through experience
how I should have made it in the first place! Using the stand, I am able to
elevate my status from side dressing to feature with the associated fee
benefits. I am able to perform a higher standard magic than for example, walk
around because I have loads, servantes and so forth in all the right places and
I have better control over angles. In general, it is also a more pleasant
working environment, I have even recently invested in a comfy high swivel stool
with a back support that I use in some situations. There is no hassle because I
have my own uncontested space on my side and I never suffer any declinations
because people come to me if they are interested and fortunately, usually they
are, especially once an initial crowd has been attracted.
First, a few mechanical details. The booth is constructed to take a number of
interchangeable panels so that it can be used for different purposes. This also
means that for trade stand work, I can specify the front and side panel
dimensions so that they can provide me with panels in keeping with the rest of
the fabric of the stand. I used to use countersunk screws to hold the panels on,
now I purchase strips of self adhesive Velcro. This gives a neater finish, is
much quicker to set-up and there is no worry about loosing screws and supplied
panels do not require drilling or preparation. My own panels are made by a local
sign-maker who can obtain every coloured acrylic panel under the sun and has
some method of permanently sticking vinyl designs on prepared from my own
artworks. You will be amazed how much of a booth framework can be cut away as
apertures without effecting the strength or rigidity which makes it much lighter
to carry. My booth concertinas together and is held in shape only by sliding
bolts and the top, no separate fixings. The top(s) have a lip around the working
compliant green baize top, but not at the rear! This way, playing cards and the
like can be picked up easily by sliding them off the back and in the same way,
coins and small objects can be lapped straight into servantes. I had not
realised this until my first outing with version one. Make sure that you do not
design it to fit a particular car. My second booth was okay, as long as you had
a Renault Laguna as I later found to my cost.
A few logistics. I have been caught in the situation where I have finished work
at ten o'clock but my booth is so sited that I cannot sensibly break it down
until the end of the important event which on one occasion was four hours later.
Always make sure that will be able to get clear at the end of your booked time
or negotiate extra fee. In large cities, sometimes the only access is through
the front door and police and traffic wardens are often non-sympathetic, even to
an obviously unloading vehicle with hazard warning lights flashing. Always check
unloading provision. If it is a possible problem, I always cost in £40 for a
parking ticket. Similarly, always check parking. Working at some London Hotels,
I have been stung as much as £25 for parking in their car park for the evening.
Generally, I hate driving to central London gigs but with a booth, you will have
no choice. Only work indoors. I foolishly agreed to work outdoors once, never
again.
The worst problem you will encounter is groups of people finding your top a very
convenient place to place their drinks which can leave ring stains or slops.
Think very carefully about how your personality will prevent this inevitability.
It is well worth spending time or two or three carefully prepared scripts that
are an improvement on "get those bleedin' drinks off my stand" which they will
generally not find endearing.
© Kevin Gallagher October 2002