British Comedy Guide

How To Deal With Hecklers Page 5

Yes I know- it was me who started that side of reasoning!

There is a lot to be said for being polite. Also try raising your voice when it starts up. Not too much but it can work I think.

I saw an act in Ealing once that was so unfunny it was genuinely painful. As the awful un-funniness dragged on and on the poor sod was being heckled by all and sundry but ploughed on regardless. I spontaneously wailed 'Dear God - Make it STOP!'. The only heckle I have ever made and as I said it wasn't planned, but just a genuine heartfelt desire for him to stop hurting my brain and leave the stage hopefully forever. To his credit he did, and I like to think he never attempted comedy ever again.

Quote: Nat Wicks @ March 4 2011, 8:46 AM GMT

No thank God I haven't yet. I've seen anchor few if them, though. I'm sure I'll get one soon.

Do you have a plan for if it happens?

I remember I was giving a eulogy at a friends funeral and this woman shouted "Dear God-Make it Stop!" I was so upset I left.

Mind you she was chuckling to herself through out the service and made a comedy trombone noise when the coffin slipped in the crematoria.

Quote: zooo @ March 4 2011, 12:02 PM GMT

Do you have a plan for if it happens?

Would you heckle Nat?

Personally I'd stick on the Cthulu mask and eat their soul.

Quote: zooo @ March 4 2011, 12:02 PM GMT

Do you have a plan for if it happens?

No not really- it all depends on the type of heckler. There's a good chnce there will be a known heckler at my next gig on Sunday, so I might put a couple of prepared ones in the bag just in case.

Why not practise now?

"Oi Nat you stink of cats! Boooo!"

No, that's just your mum's pussy.

BOOM BOOM.

*shame*

(LEAVES AUDIENCE IN SHAME HAS SEX CHANGE AND JOINS NUNNERY)

HOORAY! Nat 1 Heckler 0!

I only ever 'heckled' once: on April 20, 1989.

The guy up singing suggested birthday requests, and I shouted:

'HITLER!'

[it really was the 100th anniversary of his birth, widely reported in the papers that day]: this raised a few bellylaughs from the audience.

The singer looked at me and retorted:

'Did you say: 'Hitler?' ----I know what Hitler only has one of'.

-----then, like a real pro, he resumed singing like a good 'un.

A real professional.

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