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events of these routines is the performer
shows a number of manipulations with the
small balls. In a sense, this manipulation
demonstrates the cups are empty. Then,
at the end of the routine, the performer
tips back the cups to reveal large balls. Is
this a big switch for the spectators? Well
maybe yes and maybe no. After all, as the
spectators watch the routine they keep
their eyes on the cups. They watch for
things going into the cups and things coming
out of the cups. Then at the end, when they
see the big balls, they know they were
watching the entire time. The final load
comes as a big surprise that appears to
satisfy a desire to see magical
phenomena.
Perhaps the key here is that surprise
occurs not only when something different
happens but when the audience is given the
chance to focus on action that will reveal
something different. In the example of the
cups and balls, the audience is trained to
focus on the manipulation of the cups. With
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the switch of the regular deck to a blank
deck, they are focused on watching the
performer put a single card into a pocket
from which it will vanish. The deck is not
thought of until it is all blank.
At this point we have been addressing
surprise as if something must be done that
is different from what was expected. While
it seems nonsensical, the most genuine
surprise can be generated when the
audience is told what will happen and it
happens. If an audience knows what will
happen they expect that to happen and
keep watch on the action to see if the
performer can pull it off. A standard trick
done by Bob Green comes to mind.
Bob Green is a trade show worker. I saw
him perform and lecture at a magic
convention some time ago. Here is his
sequence that sticks in my mind. He was
standing near the edge of the audience. He
was close to them and had a lady select a
card from a card spread he extended
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