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i did some card tricks (nothing much special, like ambitious card routine etcetc) at dinner with some friends. however i got quite a "rare" reaction from them. Normally people will be really shocked and they really wanna find out how you do a trick and they keep asking you question like how you do the trick or ask you to do it once more. However my friends, they just didn't have any reaction. (Well I can tell they are shocked but they tried to hold it). So it was actually quite awkward. It was like me performing a trick to myself and there wasn't any interaction with the audience. I am just wondering what I should do at that time. Should I go on a different performance or what should I do?

I used to find it quite annoyed that people keep on asking me how I do a trick but then now I found that they are better than no reactions at all!

Everybody reacts different.

Silence is the strongest reaction!! It shows that they dont have any explanation, they can't fathom whats taken place.

You need to appreciate that everyone reacts differently, dont be puzzled or frightened by it. Its a good thing.

I love the stunned, silent reaction. It's the perfect time to smile and leave the magic there.

You will find you get this as often a people demanding to see more. Don't take it as reflection of your performance (unless it's EVERY time!) As like ID says people do react differently.

I think it's important for people just starting out performing for people not to expect the American type reactions of screaming/hollering and running away, it doesn't happen very often in the UK!

If you wonder what I mean, see this Bill Malone video on youtube and watch the lady with glasses on the front row..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypWTGtewkcA

Alternatively, watch ANY David Blaine video, then compare it to the reactions say James Brown gets on still fancy a pot of jam, FANTASTIC tricks, reasonable reactions, but none of the American stuff!

Don't be disheartened!

Very true.. watch James Browns Still Fancy a pot of jam..

The first guy just smiles and says '' Well done''

Another woman just laughs a little.

Nothing taken away from the performance or indeed the spectators experience, but you just dont get the type of reactions you see on TV. I do get shouting and hollering now and again, but mostly civilised reactions.

On TV they simply edit out the 'normal' reactions.

This may be a stupid question, but did they ask you to do some magic for them, or did you just bust out a deck of cards and begin? If it's the latter, that could explain the lack of reaction. Of course, the whole "Brittishness" thing is a very possible explanation too.

I'm suprised that no one has mentioned the fact that friends and family often react far different than other lay people; they show polite appreciation (as they likely know that it's something you do and aren't too suprised to see you perform) versus lay people that have no clue who you are or what you do. THAT'S where you get the crazy reactions...






...well, that's where I get them, anyway.

This has to be the best reaction ever. Priceless!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWhAA02txtc

Mathsgeek,

I think you answered your own question to quote your post:

I did some card tricks (nothing much special, like ambitious card routine etcetc) at dinner with some friends

Maybe the "Nothing much special" sums it up if you didn't perform it as anything special maybe that came across to them. Or maybe your handling or presentation lacked something. I am not saying for a second that this is the case but you may wish to look at what you do or how you do it first before looking to the audiences reaction, or lack of it

I personally don't like performing for friends as they do not give the same reactions "a real audience" would.

So in short change you act or change your friends!

Serendipity wrote:This may be a stupid question, but did they ask you to do some magic for them, or did you just bust out a deck of cards and begin? If it's the latter, that could explain the lack of reaction. Of course, the whole "Brittishness" thing is a very possible explanation too.

no they ask me to do it and surprisingly they are all americans! (and one dutch)

Then maybe its in your presentation. Present it as something special, as opposed to 'nothing special'.

Hi Mathsgeek

You're right, I had trouble with this one. I have to agree with I.D though, quite often spectators seem to be in their own little reverie for a few moments after a strong effect. I hated this at first, I thought it was a lack of reaction. After all, a few uncomfortable seconds of silence with unfamiliar people can feel like an eterntity.

I used to try and break this discomfort by coming up with some rehearsed quips, but I found this to be weak. The thing is, the effect is still happening for five or six seconds after it is performed. We all know this and use it; it's very strong misdirection. A dumb quip was therefore ruining part of the effect. I found that the best thing to do was to just ride it out. As Lady of Mystery said, it's actually much stronger. It just takes a bit getting used to.

did some card tricks (nothing much special, like ambitious card routine etcetc) at dinner with some friends

I disagree! I love the ACR. It's a classic of magic. I never get bored with seeing someone else's. I'm always learning new bits & pieces for it.

Mark

Another point I would make is involve your spectators more. For example in your ACR do something as simple as have the spectator turn the card over on top of the deck the final time and watch their face, and compare it to when you just turn the card over.

You'll see what I mean, you get much stronger reactions when the magic happens, or is perceived to have happened, in their own hands!