Thread: How to deal with heckles?

Hi lovelies,

I know this is such a typical "newbie" question, but what is the best way to deal with heckles from audience members? I know this kind of thing is to be expected with any performer doing anything in front of an audience & I'm sure it's something that just comes to you with time & experience , but any tips or hints for a newcomer would be most helpful.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm one of life's worriers so when I was hit with my first (& thus far only... *touch wood*) heckle it really threw me off course. Fortunately I was able to brush it off to finish my performance but it was eating away at me for a good week afterwards - Did they have a point? Was their heckle necessary? Should I adapt my routine based on the heckle? Or were they just being rude? Were they showing off to raise a laugh? Is this something I should just grow used to? Etc etc.

x

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This short Dusty Limits masterclass will teach you all you need to know!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWru7N9pWXc]YouTube - How To Deal With Hecklers[/ame]

Wow, pure genius! Why have I never seen that video until now! Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention, a great help.

x

Mr Joe Black likes to deny hearing what has been said and retorts with "I didn't hear what you said, but I'm sure it was hilarious", with a suitable amount of sarcasm.

Something similar might work for you.

In this video he uses it for a second time in the show (around about 5 mins in): [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voNiw2DE1vo]YouTube - Lola Pops -Sailor Pop-Enchanted Burlesque Dreams Come True[/ame]

Fuckin' hecklers!!

Any way of putting them down seems to work.
If you engage - you run the risk of not being quick enough if they say something funny/unexpected.

I'm also fond of asking again and again what they've said.
When you've done it enough, they'll probably stop answering you. Then - a simple smirk and "i didn't think so" should do the trick

when I did 'the songs of shockheaded peter' with the tiger lillies. They were heckled.... With a very charming "oi! Play some cabaret'"
martyn lost the rag abit and started screaming in his incredibly high pitched voice "play some fucking cabaret?!? Play some FUCKING cabaret?!? Why don't you FUCK OFF! Play some fucking cabaret he says.... Cabaret. Why don't you fuck off. Cabaret he says... CUNT"

the guy sank into his seat. And didn't mutter a single word till the show finished.

Wouldn't work for everyone - but sure as hell shut him up!! Haha...

Thank you all for your advice... And for giving me a damn good giggle in the process, Mister Joe Black 's put-downs in particular are pure genius!

Unfortunately, when all I'm doing is a four-minute striptease with no mic it's a li'l harded to retort with witty verbal put-downs Any advice on how to deal with hecklers through body language & such perhaps? While swiftly slinging them the finger might do the trick offstage it may also make me look an unprofessional common tart onstage

x

Worst heckle (and perhaps only audible one) I have had was someone at the back of the room saying "just take your f*cking clothes off you stupid b*tch". They were beyond my reach but if I had been able to get them I would have painted them or got them to paint me (was during painter act), just to let them know I had my eye on them. As it is I just carried on.
I have found eye contact can also work with potentially rowdy people. Once I was about to go on stage and some drunk fellow lay down on the stage and started pratting about. I pointed at him from back stage and mouthed "you". He mouthed back "who me?". I nodded- he got off the stage and didn't give me any bother, just stood at the front without trouble. During another event a bunch of tossers were making unkind comments about the performers so when I went on I stared right at them loads, not in a confrontational way, just in a "I have noticed you" way. They didnt say anything while I was on.
I think hecklers often perceive this distance between the performer and them, which allows them to be unkind, and letting them see that you are actually in an interactive social circumstance through eye contact or whatever sometimes can remind them that its not the same as shouting at the TV.
But mostly, just ignoring it is the thing, (if you cant really offer a witty retort) if they will let you. An unkind heckle makes the rest of the audience embarrassed, and keeping going, not letting you on have heard (or care) is not only good for you, but reassures the audience so they can still enjoy the act, and also doesn't give the heckler any attention. Often the audience will police stuff too, I have seen this alot. At one event, a guy said "look, an elephant" when a girl came out, and got disgusted looks from several audience members. He looked startled at this, and left at interval.
That said, I have only been aware of one overt heckle, and a handful of other comments (reported back to me by a mate), in almost 4 years, so I wouldnt worry too much.

If you're dancing - it's different.
Being male, during striptease acts I've had male members of the audience comment "didn't come to look at this"

I I'm doing the minstrel act - then I give them a lapdance at the end. They go bright red. If they've really pissed me off, I'll kiss them. Black facepaint is hard to get off.

Wicked witch act, I'll finger my sparkly fake vagina in their face.

It's just a matter of how you want to deal with it I suppose. And what you're comfortable with.
I'm quote aggresive on stage at times, and like martyn (tiger lillies) have a bit of a monster thing going on.

If you're doing something not quite so in your face, focusing on someone who is making a bad atmosphere by heckling, can really make a difference.
Then the barrier is down - and they're made vulnerable and pushed into a spotlight.

Just be sure not to drop out of character!!!

Originally Posted by Mister Joe Black

Wicked witch act, I'll finger my sparkly fake vagina in their face.

I like the fact you used fake there Joe, like you might have a real one tucked away at home somewhere....

Not quite heckling, but in her blog the wonderful Tuesday Laveau tells how she delt with some obnoxious audience members - Impulse Control Tuesday Laveau