What Do You Say?

[Guest]

Hello all,
I was wondering what are some good outs for when someone who you've just performed an effect for asks you to repeat it? What do you say?

Roberto

[Matthew Field]

I generally say something like, "You've already seen that one. Here's another one I also think you'll like."

Matt Field

[Gerald Deutsch]

With Perverse Magic (where things just go off by themselves against the magician) I say,

"Are you kidding? I had enough trouble the first time!"

[Guest]

I'm often in a sort-of Perverse Magic situation, since I present some effects as I've-really-no-idea-what-the-heck-is-happening-here. So my answer is "beats me - wish I knew!"

In other situations, I often say "ok" and then perform a different effect that starts in vaguely the same way. If you're a pick-a-card guy (which I'm not), that should be a simple expedient.

Dave

[Pete Biro]

The first time is my show
Second time is a lesson
I charge for lessons :D

[Mr. Stickley]

Hey Pete -

I'd hope you could charge for the show too...

:-D

[mrgoat]

Originally posted by mrmagik:
Hello all,
I was wondering what are some good outs for when someone who you've just performed an effect for asks you to repeat it? What do you say?

"Nah, let me show you somehting MUCH better..."

[Bill Duncan]

That depends entirely on the effect. If it's a trick for which I have multiple methods I may repeat the effect using a differnet trick (sans script).

Or I may say "Reruns aren't scheduled until summer" (or fall, depending on the season).

[Countelmsley]

I usually say something like "Well, if I'd told you a good joke, would you ask me to repeat it? Same thing!" :)

[Guest]

I like MrGoat's response. I don't think this is a question that should be addressed or topped with a "witty" remark. I think it is just one of the ways that people are responding to the magic they are seeing. This is related to the way people will often say "how did you do that?" it's not really a question because they know you're not going to tell them.

[Guest]

There are two quite distinct types of spectator response.

There's "How on earth did you do that?" and "Wow! - do that again!", both of which mean that that was so freakin' impossible/magical that they can't believe it.

And there's "How did you do that?" and "Do that again", which are straightforward question and request.

I'd assumed, from the way that it was phrased, that this thread was on the subject of the straightforward request. But it is important to distinguish between the two types. The distinction is obvious in practice, but not necessarily in written discussions such as these.

Dave (pleased to be avoiding the "Why on earth did you do that?" response)

[Eric Rose]

I always assume that when they ask to see it again it's really their way of saying "that was really good!" My standard reply is to ignore the request, but instead smile and say "I'm glad you liked that." and start into the next trick. If was the last trick of the set I just thank them and move on.

[Guest]

You've all been very helpful with your responses, thanks!

Noah, good point you make there. My problem is that I perform mostly for friends and family. Recently, I've been performing for my NEW girlfriend's family members and they've never seen close-up magic before. Their reactions to the effects I have shown them have been quite soothing to my ego to say the least.

However, they usually want me to repeat the same effect for someone else who didn't get to see it at that very moment. I don't want to repeat the effect for the same person but I don't want to come off as being too cocky and I don't want to shoot off some corny line like "I would but then I'd have to kill you". Any more suggestions, please keep them coming!

Roberto