talkmagic.co.uk

I think "true" sucker tricks are those where the audience is led to think that they know the method, either because the magician tips it, as in sucker silk to egg, or because the audience thinks they have worked it out, like the die box. Then the magician shows that he's got one up on them, and the trick doesn't work like that at all.

The magician in trouble plot is similar, but it doesn't have the air of deliberately misleading the audience (even if that is exactly what you've done - but then that's true of pretty much all magic isn't it?).

I do occasionaly have trouble with the odd heckler (mostly drunks). However, thanks to the complete lack of timeframe for what I do (mostly busking at the moment, with exams coming up I can't put time away as 'definite' performing times) and also the nature of the performance I can wait to the end of a set without too much hassle and then if he hangs around, I'll just talk to him. Be freindly. Often, they'll have some interest in magic and, with some luck, you can convince them your methods are different to what they know of. Then, they'll often watch the second set, in a much better mood. Some of the most generous spectators with comments and money have been the hecklers.

I had a heckler at the weekend. I was performing in a pub and I was going down great. Then this guy starts shouting out his thoughts on how everything was done, some quite close, some way off the mark.

For some reason it irked him that everyone else was taken in by the magic so he turned his focus to them. “Watch the cards, not his hands”, “Don’t let him make eye contact”, “Ask him to see the coins” and all the similar.

Instead of getting riled (externally, anyway) I decided to use him for my next few effects. Card tricks, coin appearing on his shoulder, bill change. He looked genuinely baffled.

Then it was the other folks’ turn: “I thought you said watch the cards!” they kept shouting at him as he nodded with acceptance.

After I moved tables, he came over, shook my hand and said it was “brilliant” before buying me a drink.

I’m only left to imagine the scenario if I’d vented any anger toward him.

The previously-said advice of getting the bad guy on your side was definitely of use on this occasion.

Note the preceding post. It is exactly what I have been trying to say. The heckler will often become your biggest booster if you handle it with a bit of cunning and competence.