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I got an annoying person on a table about 6 months ago. I had just done Cravy Man's Handcuffs after a couple of even shorter band effects. Usually people ask to see the bands & I let them to show that they are normal. This guy took them & did a bad version of it (although the sleight was ok it had none of my subtleties or presentation). I felt a bit hurt by this as he looked very smug infront of the table.

I got out a deck & did my best routine for about 6 mintues having each stage build even more & completely blew the table away. Now if someone wants to show me a trick they know I will always happily let them & whatever they do I look impressed & interested but this guy was a n*b who knew what I had done & wanted to replicate it to look good. I shook his hand at the end as he was pretty speechless at what I had done.

No hard feelings & no bad feelings, the table had been entertained & had forgotten about the rubber bands.

applaud the man, say "excellent..why dont i take a break and let you carry on..." sit down and look eager....

As I said earlier, I tend to watch attentively to the spec's performance. However if they're being a bit of a jerk I may say something like "I'm getting paid by the hour. You carry on."

There are always people like this from time to time. The best thing that I find to do in these situations is to try to involve the person, that way they'll feel involved and wont need to try to upstage or out do the magician.

russpie wrote:I had just done Cravy Man's Handcuffs.

you do a trick with Gravy? messy, but cool.

Always let them do their thing. Never begrudge it. If you are any good they cannot outshine you. And when they are finished no matter how atrocious they are say, "you've got the professional touch"

I learned this from reading the marvellous Matt Schulien book. It has stood me in good stead for years.

However this applies to laymen who know a card trick or two. I never allow other magicians to perform when I am working. They soon get the vibe that I don't welcome them. I like laymen so I indulge them.

I can't stand magicians so I don't. If they ask me if they can show my spectators something I glower at them and say "I'd rather you didn't"

we're like prostitutes on soooooooo many levels...

(with the exception of all female members of this wonderful online community obviously)...

Damn but I've missed you Mark!

daleshrimpton wrote:

russpie wrote:I had just done Cravy Man's Handcuffs.

you do a trick with Gravy? messy, but cool.

It's quite a pour trick, better with lumpy gravy but that's sometimes laying it on a bit thick

Back on subject, I think the best rule is to be polite if they are polite, if they are trying it on, walk away to the next table & get the best reactions you've had all night.

Russ

I personally applaud the palming of the card - made me chuckle

It comes down to spectator control - 100%! If you're willing to give your cards or other props up (something I never ever do - normally I ask the eejit if he or she is insured to handle Bicycle cards and when they hesitate you just gloss over their interruption and move on!)
Of course, if you assert your control from the outset it's very unlikely anyone's going to interrupt you anyway!
On this occasion I think we're over analysing the situation... Sure, we should always act professionally etc. but if this guy grabbed your cards without asking and was genuinely being quite obnoxious then I'd have palmed the card too. I probably wouldn't have made it public knowledge - I'd just leave him to flounder for a few minutes then take the cards back and move on... he'll think twice about messing with you or other magicians in future.
Would you tolerate a football supporter running onto the pitch for a few moments of fame if you were playing in a match? I think not!

Nope. The professional thing to do is to honour your spectator and let him do his thing. He will appreciate it. It won't be very good so you need not have to worry about the competition.

I would never palm a card out or ruin the guy's trick. Bad form in my opinion.

There are of course occasions when you can't allow him to do anything such as a set performance or at a trade show or something. However if the situation is flexible then there is no harm in it and indeed some good.

Nope. The professional thing to do is to honour your spectator and let him do his thing. He will appreciate it. It won't be very good so you need not have to worry about the competition.

I would never palm a card out or ruin the guy's trick. Bad form in my opinion.

There are of course occasions when you can't allow him to do anything such as a set performance or at a trade show or something. However if the situation is flexible then there is no harm in it and indeed some good.

Off the back of Agecroft's post, and speaking well without my sphere of experience, if a spec does do something that baffles and amazes you, don't let on! Be appreciative, by all means, but act like it's bread and butter to you.

I think the main problem is a lack of audience management. The way Im reading the situation, is that you didnt involve this guy enough in your performance. This is the very reason why I came up with a routine which can involve up to 10 spectators selecting cards.

I dont care if the guy grabbed the deck off you. The reason why he grabbed the deck is because your audience management and prop management wasnt to a workable level. Go back to the drawing board, and think about your performance structure, and work your routine so there isnt any chance for the spectators to handle the deck. In my performance, the only time any gets near the deck is when I tell them they can, and thats only when I want them to choose a card or when I physically want them to hold the deck for me. Even when they hold the deck, I make sure they hold the pack in such a way that they cant easily handle the cards (if that makes sense)

Regardless, what you did by palming off his card was unprofessional, rude, and you just lowered yourself to his level. You should have allowed him his moment of glory, complimented him for his performance, and just carry on.

I said it earlier in the thread and ill say it again - even if your not professional, you should act professional.


Mark