In my teens in 1949 !! I was to perform in a large tent in the local park. A Summer Variety Show.
In Act 1 with my friend Derek, we performed a 'Piddington 2 person Mindreadreading Act'-'Two Minds With But Single Thought. That went well.
In Act 2 I was booked to perform my standard Magic Act.
This was to be after the Can Can, danced by girls from the local Operatic Society
Well the stage was made up of separate planks of wood.
Halfway through the Can Can, there was a heart rending sound of splitting wood.
5 of the girls jumped forward. The centre one had just clocked her leg high up above her head and was holding it.
With a sort of crash she went down through the wide crack-- and stuck there--still holding her leg high up!!!
The other girls, without losing a beat, danced in front of her, obviously hoping she would free herself.
She didn't.
They danced off sideways.
The stage manager grabbed me saying the tabs are stuck--get on and do your Magic!!
So there was I trying to distract an audience, just braying with laughter

(inconsiderate lot) trying to amuse everyone with the Chinese Sticks, the Diminishing Cards and the Stamp Album.
Then from the wings--the SM hissed--Tabs free--get in front of them son.
I shuffled forward, changed the running order of my tricks so I could leave my table behind and just close with the Chinese Sticks.
Never again--BUT it taught me to soldier on and then think quickly!!
Allen Tipton
Began magic at 9 in 1942. Joined Staffs M.S at 13. Nottm.Guild of M. (8 times President. Prog Director 20years)IBM. Awarded Magician of Month 1980 By Intern. Pres. IBM for reproducing Dante's Sim Sala Bim. Writes Dear Magician column for Abra. Mag.