Lighting is the principle problem with any prop that creates the illusion of false interior depth. Not all lighting is a problem, just lighting coming from above the prop. This is difficult to counter unless you're working in a theatrical situation. Many magicians forbid the use of overhead or back lighting in their contracts.
One thing that might help is to work on the exterior decoration of the props. With proper lighting it isn't necessary to make the exterior decoration blinding but if you continually encounter problems where you're working it may be the only solution. Metallic trim is probably your best bet.
Another suggestion is not to use black art. Many older illusions used a busy pattern on the inside of props rather than a solid black. In some cases this can be effective, you'd have to experiment.
Regarding the Square Circle, there is another solution. In truth, the Square Circles sold by magic dealers are not constructed properly: the load chamber is too large in diameter and requires that the magician line up the tube to slide it over the load chamber. Sometimes the tube is also too large in diameter, fitting too snugly into the square.
The load chamber should be much smaller in diameter, so that the tube can be dropped into the square. Once the load chamber has been reduced in size, the entire handling of the prop changes. It is possible, with practice, to appear to put down the tube and pick up the square in one motion so that the audience doesn't perceive that you have to put the tube into the square before you can pick up the square.
This handling makes the actual production much more magically convincing. Since just about any container can be used for the load chamber, you can try this without altering the prop you now own. It should be noted that the interior of the square must be covered with the exact same material that covers the load chamber, a good quality black felt is ideal. You will not have a convincing black art effect if the inside of the square is just painted black and the load chamber is covered with black material - they won't match. In magic, black on black requires that both blacks are exactly the same.
Yours Magically
Solomon
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