So what do you do If you REALLY flub a magic trick.

[Kwayzee the Clown]

I am just starting to learn some magic. I have the usual:Change bag, Magic hat w/compartment etc. My question is what do you do when you really mess up a magic trick and there is NO WAY that you can save it. For example a friend of mine was doing a cake production. He did not explain how, but in the middle of the patter the cake flung out and landed in the lap of the child's mom. He just went "Ta daaa, Happy birthday" and went on.
Of course the kids went crazy at that, but what if you mess up in a less spectacular fashion and your trick is exposed for all to see? One idea I have would to act really surprised, then a teeny bit embarrassed and explain that you have let a super magical secret out of the bag. then get all of the children(and adults, if any) to raise there right had and swear a silly sounding oath(working on one) swearing that they will not divulge the secret to any one. I believe that by being honest about the flub and by making the children de facto partners by sharing the secret should make them feel as if they are part of the show.
I would love to hear any other ideas in general or specific to a trick.

Kwayzee

[Snugglesnort]

Er... don't.

Practice the trick that you know you won't mess up that badly.

Another thing is just lie lie lie. "What that wasnt the trick? you think I am that clumsy? ha!" or "ta da!" and then before they work it out move on.

[Jolly Well]

Originally Posted by Snugglesnort

Er... don't.

Practice the trick that you know you won't mess up that badly.

Another thing is just lie lie lie. "What that wasnt the trick? you think I am that clumsy? ha!" or "ta da!" and then before they work it out move on.

Practice for sure, but sooner or later Murphy's law will catch up to you. I've dropped thumb tips on stage before, and grabbed the wrong "load." All you can really do is move on. You are either "caught" or not, and if you keep going it's less likely that you're routine will be damaged beyond repair.

I've unloaded a Goshman ding dong (not the snack cake either!) before on accident - thinking it was a different sponge prop (I'd done a women's party the night before). Fortunately the audience wasn't too young (adults and teens) and I was able to recover....

[Squiggles]

You are a clown...you are supposed to flub magic tricks! The more flubbed they are the better sometimes...it can just look like part of your act if you don't show that you flubbed it...just act surprised and play it up big that it didn't work..it will be good for a laugh, then you can try again and get it right or get a volunteer to help you and let them make it work. The more audience participation the better. That is why I like stupid magic..I am a clown not a magician! Stuff thats simple and that I can play on...have a great day!
Squiggles

[Pickles]

In his book Clown Magic, David Ginn lists a bunch of things to say when a clown makes an unexpected mistake. My favorite is:

"Oh, boy! I just figured out a stupid new way to do this"!

[Duckie]

I just simply giggle and say, "Now that wasn't supposed to happen, was it?" slap my knee and then I move on!!!! I say let's try another one, this one seems to be a dud, or something of that nature!!!!! Or how about: "Ooops, that's clown magic for ya!!!!!"

[Scruffy]

..."Say, does anyone have the instructions for this thing?"

"Sorry, I gotta make the next payment before they show me the rest of the trick."

"Pay no attention to the trick that just backfired on me..."

"Pay no attention to the clown that just blew it."

"Hmmm, Maybe I should have kept my day job in the emergency room...."

"Any body got a different Magic trick I can borrow?"

Those are just a few Remember, that you are a clown. You are pretending to be what you aren't. A suave, smooth , and cultured magician.

[CheckerZ]

Originally Posted by Pickles

In his book Clown Magic, David Ginn lists a bunch of things to say when a clown makes an unexpected mistake. My favorite is:

"Oh, boy! I just figured out a stupid new way to do this"!

I'm currently reading this book, I went to the local library and picked a copy up. So for it's a great book and kinda tell all.

[stitches]

I flubbed the "Imp bottle" trick and gave the trick to the kid. This is the trick where the bottle shouldn't lay down for anyone but me-it keeps popping upright because the bottom is weighted. a metal rod inserted in the bottle allows me to do it, but the rod kept sliding out on me. This trick only cost a buck or two so when a kid caught me, I just gave it to her.

Another time, I used the wrong deck of cards. I thought the kid had the 7 of diamonds. I had a 3 1/2 of diamonds in my pocket (7 divided by 2). When I told the kid to divide his card by two, he said 5 of spades! oops! I just grabbed the correct deck and started over.

[Finito]

Just like any other type of performance-based art, keep going! Stopping and explaining the flub only brings more attention to the mistake. Keep going, don't miss a beat!