"Sponge Eyeballs" by Alan Wong and Steve Marshall
Suggested Retail USD$24.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Sponge Eyeballs", an effect by Alan Wong and Steve Marshall, is just what it sounds like, with a silly presentation that is at once awful and fun, just like the self-described props themselves.

Let's get the prop out of the way since that's the majority of what you're buying here.

The "sponge eyeballs" are just that: white sponge balls hand-painted to resemble eyes. Far from being grotesque or shocking, they are more cartoonish in appearance, what with pink capillaries and all. These are not the Goshman "Super Soft" type of balls; they are heavier and denser. As a result they are harder to compress (you can pretty much forget about using a Senada or a tip with these) but handle easily. Because they are white, and because of the hand-painted features, you're going to need to exercise some care as they will show dirt and grime easily and the paint will, eventually, wear off. You'll be replacing these when the wear sets in, but a little care will prevent that from happening anytime soon.

If you've got an idea for such a prop, well, "Sponge Eyeballs" is certainly good enough for it. The balls will hold up well and they're weighty enough for cup loads, springy enough for surprise appearances... pretty much any sponge ball application can make use of them.

If you haven't got an idea of what to do with the silly things, enter the routine sold with "Sponge Eyeballs", which is in itself just plain awful.

I mean that in the best possible way.

Yes, the routine is awful. It's top-heavy with corn and puns and even a child's nursery rhyme. It is just as likely to bring forth groans from your audience as it is gasps of amazement. And you know what? There's not a thing wrong with that as long as the spectators ultimately are entertained. The routine, created by Steve Marshall, is just that: entertaining. True enough, you won't be inspiring folks to start a new religion in your name and they won't remember this routine in twenty years, but they will have fun, they will laugh, and they will be pleasantly diverted from real life for a bit. That makes the routine a good one no matter how you look at it, corn and all.

Beyond the jokes, the routine itself is fairly normal as sponge ball routines go, with the prerequisite appearances, vanishes, and multiplications. The sleights used are simple and common, with the expected palms and retention vanishes and the like. As such, the routine is easy to learn and perform.

If you're looking for some strange props to use in existing routines, well, "Sponge Eyeballs". For heaven's sake, there's not much else to say about that, is there? If your personality is one that allows for some silliness with a dash of childishness, then the routine accompanying the props will serve you well; the serious, earnest, and sober among our number need not apply for this one.

"Sponge Eyeballs" by Alan Wong and Steve Marshall
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
It's a sponge ball routine and, as a rule, that means practical from the start. This routine is no different: put the balls in your pocket (along with a slightly gaffed spoon) and you're ready to go. Set-up, resets, angles... everything is perfectly practical here.

Workmanship: 8
The eyeballs are made from white sponge balls, with the artwork hand-painted on. This translates, of course, with the balls getting dirty quickly and the paint coming off. You will be replacing these at some point, but that point is probably way down the road. Use some care and you'll increase the longevity.

Documentation: 10
The routine is described extremely well, from the moves to the script and with a few illustrations thrown in for good measure. You'll have no problem learning this one.

Effect: 7
Sponge ball routines are always at least slightly effective; throw in a weird look to the things, a well-structured routine and, while you won't be making a reputation for yourself, you will be magical and entertaining at the same time and that's above average magic in my book.

Presentation: 10
The routine is corny, sure, but it's also fun and engaging and works beautifully as a piece of entertainment. If it suits your personality, this is a great bit of work.


Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.