On 2011-07-01 01:13, Rotten wrote:

My point being before we cast stones at entertainers who have had such challenge's during a show perhaps we don't understand what was going on in their mind. It's easy to point out other's mistakes. I've had my share. It's called live theater for a reason.

I'm sure you saw his audience turn on him. So he dealt with it wrong. Who knows what was going on in his head. So much to think about.

On 2011-07-01 00:09, troppobob wrote:
G'day Eduardo
This is a sensitive and complex issue and you have approached the topic with respect.
Choppingboard makes an excellent point, people with a disability of any kind are just that - people first.
It is no wonder that the performer who made jokes (I presume) about the person with the disability (and making fun of them) lost the respect and the potential money from his audience.
Most people have a personal connection with someone who has a disability whether it be them-self, friends, family or neighbors etc - so to ridicule a person from this section of any society will offend many in your audience.
Jokes that put the person down and ridicule them are not appropriate and will not help your situation.

To address the rest of you original post question:
"How to Deal With people with a mental handicap in the crowd?"
I understand here that your concern is about a person who is causing a problem for your performance in a similar way to:
# A drunk person
# Or perhaps a rowdy group of teenagers affected by to much red bull drink and peer group pressure
# Or even an 8 year old whose uncle showed them a "TT" and they call out something unhelpful as you do your best silk vanish

These people have at least one thing in common - they all have poor social skills (reflected in unhelpful behavior).
It is unlikely that you will be able to help them develop more appropriate social behavior as a result of interacting with you in your street performance.

From my experience
I treat any person with poor social skills with a mix of respect and caution (any person with poor social skills can be a bit unpredictable).

For the exhibitors of poor social skill listed above I expect that we have all developed methods of dealing with them (and some times some humor with some in those groups can be effective).

However for a person with a disability (that appears to be affecting their social skills) I do my best to keep them on side. And if I can develop a connection I may even invite them to play a part as a volunteer where they are able to be seen in a positive light by the rest of the audience - if this does happen I am sure to make my instructions very clear and simple. Or I will make a point to interact with them after the show. I have found that being openly accepting of people with a disability and including them can help them to feel more relaxed in this unusual social setting (the street performance)and can help the rest of the audience to feel more relaxed as well.

And just like working with drunks (or any one else with poor social skills) I recognize there are times when our interaction is not going to result in a positive environment conductive to my entertainment being enjoyed by an audience. If that is the case then it may be time for the modified version of the show and allowing that person to move on and then start again.

Thanks for your question Eduardo - as I reflected on it I realised that there was some depth of feeling on the issue for me.
I hope my reflections are of some value.

Bob Latta (aka Troppo Bob)

On 2011-07-02 00:45, Rotten wrote:
So you shouldn't ask them if they left their helmet in the car?