Scenario-

Your performing on the streets, when you stop a couple. You introduce yourself and show them a great magic trick. Just as the trick is ending someone walking by notices and ask ,"Can you do that again?" Of course you cant, because some tricks you just cant show twice without setup (and the general rule "never show the same trick twice".

Question-

How do you get out of that situation smoothly without just stating no? I feel like if i just say no, the trick looses a little bit of its mystery, because the audiance knows that i probably set it up....... Well maybe its just me that feels that way. But how do you guys get out of that situation?

Start doing tricks that do not use a setup and always be ready with a few impromptu back up tricks.


As always,
Dylan

Simply say, "Nah, I've got something WAY better than that to show you!"

Then do something different.

I always just jazz performances; always. I never do setups (unless it is a paid gig) and so if a spectator says, DO THAT AGAIN, I can just start it the same way and end somewhere COMPLETELY different.

buy two of each gimmick. Keep one in your left pants pocket, the second in your right pants pocket.

Now you are set up again to repeat the trick.



or just be prepared with a backup trick


© DespoticDemagogue

You could also be ready with a new trick. When they say, can you do that again, respond...

"Yes, but I would rather entertain you with a new trick that you have never seen than something you have already seen. Let me show you this one..." Go into the next affect.

or

"I am sorry, I never repeat a trick for the same audience. My policy is "Once is entertaining... twice it educational" (Say it with a smirk)... it get's good results.

If they say "can you do that again" i say "yes, i can do that again, thanks for asking" then move on.

For paid performances, table hopping or strolling, say "pay me again".

haha, this is advice to listen to. i think this would be funny if it was said

maby latter it requiers lots of energy and i dont have enough stored up rite now but i show you this (show other trick)

I usually reply...

"Hmmm, what's today, [insert day of week]? Sorry, I don't do that one twice on [day of week]."

I'd almost say nothing. If you have a well rehearsed show, continue on with what you are doing. They will get the hint that you won't repeat the trick. There is likely some way you can tell passerbys they will want to stick around for what's NEXT and not for repeats.

-ArchAngel_G

"i could, but then i would have to kill you..." or if you dont want to sound so crazy "if i do a trick once, its a magic show, if i do it twice, its a magic lesson. i dont teach magic lessons."

One phrase I tend to use alot is "There -is- no "again"."

Often times people just let it go.

-ArchAngel_G

i like it