Cube 5150 by Kent Bergmann

(Notice: the video is the 3D Magic Works version not the ZebraWood version.)

This was one of the effects that stopped me showcasing Kent’s beautiful magic on my site about 12 years ago. If you follow my website you will know I have a strong friendship with Alan Warner. I created two websites dedicated to his magic (firstly this one and then later this one), and it was Alan’s magic that began my love affair with beautiful and clever magic props. When Kent showed me this effect for the first time, it was so similar to Alan’s Confus’n Cubes that I felt uncomfortable putting it on my site.  Although the method is different, there is clearly a very strong correlation between the two effects. 

At the time Kent had simply not noticed the similarities and over the years I’ve got to know and trust Kent very well, and believe he was just too close to the effects to realize the similarities.  He certainly was not intentionally copying Alan.   But when another item came out that also had distinct similarities, I decided to stop showcasing Kent for the sake of my relationship with Alan.  Years later Kent roared back with a whole new line of his amazing 3D Magic which was truly his own thing that everything was forgotten and forgiven, from my perspective at least, and I started to showcase his magic again.  I have included this item and this one as a reminder of that time.

Cube 5150 is a great trick, I probably prefer Alan’s original Confus’n Cubes  – the ending is not quite as strong in Alan’s version but you can handle the props a little more freely.  Neither version can be fully examined, but Alan’s is a little easier to conceal.  But this is a pretty trick and a fooler for sure, with a quick to reset and is great for walk around.

Effect: The performer brings forward a small box and removes the lid to reveal three colored cubes; a red cube and two yellow cubes. The red cube is shown to be on one end of the box while the two yellow cubes are next to each other.

The performer replaces the lid, puts the box behind his back with one hand and immediately brings the box in front with his other hand. The lid is once again removed to show that the red cube has now switched ends . . . the spectator, without a doubt, is not very impressed by this transformation.

The performer once again replaces the lid and with one hand brings the box to eye level this time. A quick shake and the lid is once again removed to reveal that the red cube is now in the middle of the two yellow cubes.

The performer then dumps the three cubes out to allow the spectator to freely inspect them.

The performer then explains, as he is returning the cubes to the box, that the red cube is, obviously, the crazy one and to keep an eye on it as there is no way to know what it will do. The performer replaces the lid to the box and gives it a little shake. The lid is removed to reveal that the two yellow cubes have turned red . . . in fact; all of the cubes are now shown to be red.

CUBE – 5150 is handmade in zebrawood. The outside of the box is decorated with an alternating red and yellow cube inlayed banding and treated with a natural, oil-rubbed finish. The case measures approximately 3″ x 1.5″ x 1.625″ , the cubes each measure approximately .75″ x .75″ x .75″.

‘Lil Note: 5150 is a West Coast police code for “Crazy”.

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