I realize that I have taken your comments to literally, and I am sorry for calling you a bunch of ***S.

I should point out..I do not do illusions nor do I own a 1500 dollar illusion. I do not lack self confidence nor do I lack captivation in my show. The clients hire me back again for several reasons: reliable, respectful to their guest, accomodating to their needs, good show, and price. I do not let PRICE alone determine if I am busy from month to month. I turn do several gigs throughout the months due to the fact that they just don't fit into my price range.

I peform mainly for Kids/Adults...family shows

I have noticed that more people in my show "which is the same show from years back" the kids are shouting out more often then ever before...It almost always is just one kid, and I ignore him and move on with the show....this resolves the problem...as ken stated

It's all part of show business! The masked magician has been mentioned to me by clients at numerous events...they do dislike him to my surprise.

Sincerely,
Charles Watson

So back to the originial question....What you say?

I ignore them and the problem will go away. What do you say during your shows if kids or adults heckle you about secrets of your performance? It can diminish the experience that the rest of the guest have, with that in mind....How do you handle hecklers?

Charles

The rule is to ignore hin or her with only one exception. If more then 50% of the audience are distracted then you can not ignore this. funny line about the situation instead of the person is ok.Then when its with kids, never ever get the bully wich is heckle you let him on stage. Just turn to the other side to the audience. If the heckler is left of you just get your attention to the right till the heckler is calm downA I feel never affend them or being verbal agressiv. I think no one likes to be treat that way. As you will know a lot of booklets are out there how to handle an heckler, how to be delivering fast insulting lines. We are not mac king, the amazing jonathan or Michael finney. Also Eugene Burger has something to say on this. Always be a gentlemen.

Ken weber has in his book Maximum entertainment a couple of good tips. Try to get close-up magic book from eugene burger (if you do not have this already).

I wish you well Charles,

Answering the OP as specifically as possible, and using my actual response on the time or two this has actually happened:

First, I put the illusion away, slowly and deliberately. I intentionally let the silence bounce off of what the spec said, and not a reply. I also get a chance to collect my thoughts and calm myself.

"Well now, that discourtesy is a first. I have performed for magicians, reporters and drunks, but that is a first.

Sadly, there is no reason to do this effect for you now, for even if the guess is wrong, some may believe they have just heard the real, professional secret to it and, so, the magic for them is lost.

Fortunately, I have some other effects I would like to share with you. However, this will be a very short program indeed if what I have to offer you is likewise interrupted. Thank you for your understanding.

Now, if I may continue..."

This may not work at all for some, or most, magicians who encounter this type of heckling, but I share it because it has worked wonderfully for me.

Jim

You could also say something along the lines of. "And now for my next trick I'll make Mouthy here disappear. Let me introduce you to my assistant, Rocco..."

"Those shouting out possible solutions that are correct will win a genuine imitation folding magic wand. Those that are incorrect will be escorted from the building. Someone show that gentleman the way out."

I'd invite him onstage, shove a (real) hatpin through the skin of my neck (for real), and then offer him a hatpin to 'demonstrate how its done.'

Billy McComb used to look at the heckler and address him as if he was an idiot. He would say, "It's a TRICK! Any idiot could figure it out." If I had the problem, I would probably follow it with "I'm glad you showed up. The rest of the people here are too smart to figure out this stuff."

The linking rings have been exposed many times. Many magicians have stated that they don't feel the rings should be performed anymore because of this. Knowing that they have been exposed, I constructed my routine to lead any would-be exposers in my audience down the garden path, and then I do a couple of moves that negate the method that was exposed. The rings are a highlight of my act as a result.

With a little thought, virtually any effect can be handled this way. The TT has been exposed many, many times, but a good performer can still fool even other magicians who use it with a little judicious routining.

When I was younger and poorer, I couldn't afford a car. I had a bicycle and then a motorbike. I knew a lot of people who got injured, some seriously and a few fatally, on two wheeled vehicles. I never did, for one simple reason. I rode with the assumption that nobody could see me! I didn't assume anyone was going to brake for me or veer out of my way.

This same principle can be applied to magic effects--assume that at least some people DO know the method. Now, if we present an effect in such a way that someone in the audience who happened to watch a TV special instantly recognizes it, kows the secret, and shares that secret, is it really that person's fault? Do I really have a right to be angry and respond negatively?

I would either do a different trick, change the trick to use their assumptions to fool them, or make the trick so fun and and amusing that they don't care how it works.

A big part of this is how seriously you take yourself. When I started in magic, I took on the persona of a mysterious, serious magician. Now I am a self-deprecating goofball. I get heckled a WHOLE lot less now than I used to!