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USC's learn th By Nancy Richmond Staff Writ-r Magic is a world of illusion, . a world of breathtaking feats that have baffled people for centuries. It's a world of surprise and danger, requiring great knowledge and skill. Two 19-year-old USC sophomores live in that world. Michael Beam and Michael .Invp in terested in magic about six years ago. Beam, an accounting major born in Texas who now lives in Columbia, and Joye, a marketing major from Columbia, have been professional magicians for three years. They met through the International Brotherhood of Magicians, a national magic fro tnrni tr f />/4 ^ ~ II Uiv.1 IIMJI I Ul IIICU SU magicians can share ideas and work out problems. BEFORE BECOMING partners last April, Beam and Joye performed together occasionally for about a year. They say combining their ideas and personalities has improved their shows and ^:,r?inated competition between them. "There was something 0 lacking in both our shows," Joye said. "Two personalities make it better. Michael usually provides the lines, and I'm the straight man." Both magicians agree that the partnership has been advantageous because it has allowed them to combine their money and offer more in their shows. "One of the worst things about magic is that you always need new things," Beam said. "The equipment is iremenaously expensive, but you have to be able to constantly amaze people." v* THEIR EQUIPMENT cost about $15,000. Some of it hasn't been used in more than a year. They said one of their favorite tricks is the sword-through-the-neck trick, in which 16 blades are inserted into a box placed around a person's head. "We enjoy the audience reaction the most," Joye said. "We very seldom make a nrofit hut it molr?o u ?ii ? r. v..?, ?MV mv Iliunvo 11 CK11 worthwhile if someone says they really enjoyed the show after it's over." Beam and Joye have performed locally at Beethovens, Smuggler's Inn and Harvey's, but their shows are not restricted to clubs. They have performed at birthday parties, elementary, middle, high school and college parties, i shopping malls and even one fraternity rush party. TIIEIK MAGIC show, which lasts 45 minutes, in eludes turning silk scarves and balloons into doves, turning doves into rabbits, cutting a lady into six pieces and working with a 6-foot guillotine. One of Beam's tricks involves escaping from a straitjacket in about one minute. Both magicians agree that .. getting started was difficult. | "Magicians are new in ! Columbia," Beam said. J "There are not a lot of stage i C ~ I L I L II-- I pei iui meiuui ii& icdiiy i tough. Clubs are hesitant in | hiring magicians. They want j bands, all-night performers,; and music, since people | want to dance." ! Joye said the two often L hocus-p e tricks? miss work or school and have to spend money on gas, props, animal care and equipment. They also spend 20 to 30 hours practicing for each show, which they feel is crucial. "You're never too good," Joyesaid. "Magic is hazardous, and accidents do happen," Beam added. "The divided lady trick only works three out of four times." THE TWO magicians depend on return shows and word of mouth, since advertising is expensive and less effective for them. "Adults will see us at clubs and hire us for childrens' parties," Joye said. The two say they hope to gradually make magic profitable. "Other magicians have professions and can afford it," Joye said. "We need big breaks, or we couldn't afford it." Beam and .lovo said thpv often are taken advantage of and stereotyped because they are so young. But, Joye said, "For our age, Michael and I have one of the biggest shows around." MAGIC IS fascinating, they say, but it can sometimes be a hassle. "People think we can do anything because we'r magicians," Joye said. For example, people expect ~ ,.U -J.. 11 I'll uicui lu uiidiigc uuiiar uuis into 20 dollar bills. People also offer them bribes for their secrets, but according to Beam, keeping secrets is one of the biggest laws of magic. Beam and Joye say they don't plan to quit school or work to go into magic full time since they feel thev need something to fall back on. . Put your stereo back-on-track and Shure will put a pack on your back. We'll give you more than a groat deal on a top-value cartridge' With any M97 Series Cartridge you buy between October 1 and December 31 1980 you'll receive durable canvas bike pak speciall tomized with the Shure logo and tl thought-provoking phrase World Best Pickup Use it to hold your b< records, lunch almost anvthmni ? 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