Rule 11: Know Why it Works

In 1911 Nevil Maskelyne and David Devant, two of the premier magicians of the day, published Our Magic. In the first section, The Art in Magic, Maskelyne outlines 20 rules for magic performance. After well over 100 years, are these rules still relevant, and do they apply to more than magic?

Rule 11: Always remember that a notable surprise is incapable of repetition; and that the repetition of an effect, of any kind whatever, cannot create surprise.

While this is an important rule to magicians, it’s one that is well worth remembering no matter who you are. Surprise is a powerful tool that you can and should use within your presentation or performance, but unless that surprise is the main goal of that moment, you are going to need something to follow it up with.

Fun fact about me: I’m an accredited manual handling trainer. When I present, one of the things I have to explain is what an intervertebral disc is and what happens when one prolapses. This is extremely important, because if people understand what can happen, the lesson will have a much stronger effect. The thing is, it’s also dull. To get around that I would get someone up and have them make two fists. I’d then have them bring their knuckles together vertically, and try to wiggle them around. They couldn’t, they would lock in place. I’d then put a tube of toothpaste between their fists. Now they could move easily with the toothpaste acting as a cushion. That, I would explain, is an intervertebral disc. I’d get them to really see how easy it was and, at the right moment, I’d quickly flip open the cap. Ignoring their horror I’d point to the mess and say to the rest of the audience ‘that’s a prolapse’. Medically speaking it’s not quite accurate, but it made the point and focused their attention. They didn’t know what to expect from me for the rest of the presentation and everyone knows you can’t get the toothpaste back in the tube, so now they’re taking a prolapsed disc seriously too.

Would the point have been twice as effective if I’d got a second volunteer to do the same thing? What about if I got everyone to squirt toothpaste around? Of course not. The surprise of the moment worked well, but it had a point, and could not be repeated. Always remember that, whether you’re a magician or not.

TFT

I hope you enjoy my writing. If you do, why not consider buying me a coffee?