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I've just shown (or tried to show) a couple of people (not family) a magic trick and one of them kept grabbing at everything. They tried to pick up the props before I'd even started the trick and then they tried to grab at it again halfway into the routine.

Does anyone have any tips on dealing with spectators who keep grabbing your props? Is this just a problem that you have to work on in your presentation?

It depends what you're performing at the time but often, particularly with cards and rope to name but two, you can do the old routine of reaching into your pocket and pulling out another deck of cards, piece of rope and say something along the lines of

'I see that you're very eager to to show everyone a trick so here you go'. then, stand back and watch them as part of the audience. After a few seconds of non moevement from them You can then add 'don't worry, I won't try to spoil your act like you're trying to spoil mine'.

That's usually more than enough to get them to back off.

That's a great idea dat, thanks I must try that sometime.....although I haven't had the experience of many of my audiences grabbing at the props but I will keep it in mind for when they do.

I have had people trying to dip into my pockets....which I find strange as its not a natural thing to just dip into someones pockets, maybe they think because your a magician it makes it ok.....I just then went into his pockets to see what he had in them.....he took offence to this and I said.....I didn't like it either when you decided that you could just dip into mine without being asked.....he saw my point....and everyone else laughed.

I'm fortunate in being 6ft 7" and built like a brick s.... H..... (I thnk the saying goes) so it takes a brave person to dip into my pockets without an invite!

However, love your response and made me laugh!

I would say you should perform a non-gimmicked trick first. The spectators may try to inspect your props and find that there's nothing wrong with them. Get the spectators to feel comfortable with you and let them get to know you. Then when the trust is built, you can start performing gimmicked tricks.

That's what I think anyhow. I'm not sure because I'm not one of those who perform in mini-stage or large group settings.

I remember seeing an electric shock can in a joke shop.
Anyone who picks it up gets a small but harmless electric shock.

If you invested in one of these and left it towards the front of your table (where it is easily accessable to a grabber !) then I am sure the grabbing would cease.

Hodgkinson wrote:I remember seeing an electric shock can in a joke shop.
Anyone who picks it up gets a small but harmless electric shock.

If you invested in one of these and left it towards the front of your table (where it is easily accessable to a grabber !) then I am sure the grabbing would cease.

OR it could deter your spectators away... either way

Theres a book called "Magician's Arsenal, Professional Tricks Of The Trade" by Lee Scot (the man is insane).
He suggests holding a set mousse trap under a faned deck for someone to grab. Just an idear....

I have managed to get around the grabbing audience situation (very common in church 'all-age' services where cubs and brownies try to get at the stuff) by using a 'dump bag. There are two ways I do this, the first being a Wlkinson's linen basket which folds open and has velcro to attached the bag to it. This has a couple of extra bags in (get the black one if possibl it masks contents whereas other don't) and as the trick is done I get the appluase (sometimes ) and then ditch the trick. This means at the end everything is in one place and can be taken away by me at the end or removed by an assistant to a safe place. The cost of this is less than a fiver!

I also do the same with a wicker linen basket, which has the benefit of being totally solid and has a lid which protects from hands and eyes! Again, less than a fiver for a very adequate tool.

I am currently working on a desing which enables tricks to be brought out, used, stored/swapped, etc. which has a mechanism that enables it to be shut and left shut (unless you know the secret of a certain Mikame box ) - should be practical and secure and being made of MDF around £25 all-in. I will publish details of this when I have perfected it for others to see (photo's will abound) and copy (plans will be made available).

Hope this helps,

Vic

I'm performing in pubs all the time and I must admit I very rarely suffer from this. Even with the drunks. I have to say that perhaps if folks are suffering from 'grabbers' they ain't doing it right.

When someone does try to grab or says that they know how a trick is done I just say to them, 'Let me finish this trick and you do the next one'

I have a lot of put downs but don't think they are the best way to solve the problem all the time.

I think the best way to deal with people who try to grab your props (or hands, that happened to me a couple of times) is to simply say that what they are doing is not very polite. Straightforward, doesn't really put the spectator down and works.

'Let me finish this trick and you do the next one'

Lol I like that one for a rude spec

My own experience of grabbing came from my own grand children and I guess I asked for it. I had been driving them mad for about 5 minutes with the Chip and Coin Monte when instead of pointing to the cover she thought the coin was under my grand daughter grabbed at it and all was revealed.

Moral of the story: Tie their hands behind their backs before I start in future!!!

And put Superglue on their seats!

This is a subject i feel strongly about.

More often than not, i simply just say to them "Look mate, its pretty bloody obvious its not "real" magic, if your going to be a nusence then dont watch and i will entertain the other people"

Shuts them up straight away, and if they continue to be annoying and grabby, then i just exclude them from the trick, literally say ok you guys come over here, and u stay there (put them in the naughty corner)

If that doesnt work, i do like the idea of a mouse trap under a fanned deck! Classic comedy, just dont do it to any americans! They will sew the pants off you!