Are you tired of hecklers trying to spoil your performance?
Hecklers can be disruptive, even if they think they’re just having a bit of fun, they can really destroy a performance and the reputation of a mentalist.
Some hecklers see a mentalist performing and immediately take it as a challenge to see if they can figure out how the “trick” is done, this is usually so they can prove they have superior intelligence. Whilst others just like to be a complete idiot and spoil the fun for everyone else.
Being heckled can be quite frustrating, so here are some diplomatic ways you can handle hecklers.
1) Ignore the heckler
Sometimes a heckler will speak in a soft voice whilst trying to spoil your effect. This will usually happen at the end of the performance, don’t give the heckler any attention. If you do give them attention, they will ask you more questions. If you avoid them, they should remain quiet for the rest of your performance.
2) Use humour
Even if the heckler reveals the secret to your effect. Don’t worry, just reply to their claim with a comment like; “That’s another way to do it, thanks for telling me.” Or you could say this; “Yes you’re right, but don’t give away the secret!” This second comment should be said in such a way that you’re just satisfying the heckler but not really acknowledging the secret.
3) Challenge the heckler
Sometimes a heckler will constantly interrupt you. A great way to deal with this heckler is to ask them to perform the rest of your act for the audience. This should be enough to keep them quiet for the rest of your act.
4) Make a disclaimer
Prevention is better than a cure they say. Try using a disclaimer at the start of your performance, you could say something like; “Everything I do is just for fun and entertainment, I don’t claim to have super powers and it’s not about trying to fool anyone, it’s more about remembering how amazed you were at the world when you were a child and just enjoying the mystery of it all once again.”
Even aggressive hecklers would be silly to interrupt you after a statement like that.
5) Let the audience handle the heckler
Remember it’s your show. The audience have come to see you perform and not to listen to the ramblings of a heckler. So when the heckler disturbs you, just keep calm, play with words and waste some time. If they still try to spoil your effect, the audience will soon get fed up of the heckler and display their annoyance at them.
You may be tempted to try and deal with hecklers the same way comedians do but I think that’s a dangerous path to walk as comedians tend to put down hecklers with insults, which is great for comedy but maybe not so good for a mentalist.
Although it would depend largely on your character.
The main thing to remember is; Don’t panic!
Easier said than done I know, but the last thing you want is some alpha male sensing that he’s ruffled your feathers and persistently trying to ruin your performance. Instead, stay calm and use one of the strategies above, this will give you the best chance of keeping the rest of the audience on your side.
And remember; you cannot avoid hecklers, they exist everywhere. You just have to learn to handle the heckles and put them in their rightful place.
T.T.F.N.
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