Hecklers steal a slice of the limelight and challenge the speakers’ presumed authority. Described as “snipers,” “quality control,” “discussants,” “destabilisers” and “enquirers,” they enliven the atmosphere. Their heckles come in all shapes and sizes: insightful questions that raise the level of debate, cutting one-liners, hackneyed ‘mother-in-law’ jokes, or simply bellowing until the speaker gives up.

Audio clips about the hecklers

“Hosting snipers”