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Intro: 'The Condemned' is not a trick, it is a full 20 minute mentalist routine created by our own Dr. Todd. However, it comes with an academic style book listing the women & men that were on trial for Witchcraft in Essex during the years 1645-1647. The book also has an extremley clever key to a map test built into it. The routine includes a mock interrogation, trial, and several tests to determine if you have indeed found a 'witch'. Included in the set are: a pendulum, cards, & several pebbles to select the 'witch' who shall be on trial. The climax is a sealed verdict that has been in full view of the audience the entire time that matches the audience's verdict. The instructions are clear, and full scripting suggestions with subtleties are included. ( This can also be presented as a stand alone book test.)

A short Review: 'The Condemned'

If you liked Cogito by Dr. Todd then I assure you that you will love 'The Condemned'. This routine has all of the qualifications that make it well worth your investment. Firstly, The topic of the Witch Trials is one that most people are familiar with on some level - this will grab their attention right off the bat.
Second - The audience is instantly involved in the routine as the demonstrations focus on them.

Third- You can customize this routine to fit your own unique style and abilities so that you are free to concentrate on the presentation and the participants rather than the methods. The multi- phases that are presented in this routine will engage and suprise the audience as well as the participants.

Honestly, Dr. Todd has outdone himself with this routine. I firmly believe that he has in fact, created what will be a 'classic'.

The book that comes with 'The Condemned' is a nice quality academic styled appearance with an ingenious method behind the compilation. ( The method for the revelation of the book test is fantastic. You will appreciate the time and work that Dr. Todd put into this.)

One of Chuck Hickock's criteria for the selection of a routine or demonstration is: Multiple moments of amazement. I can think of no better phrase to describe 'The Condemned'. Dr. Todd's presentational suggestions and methodology are superbly written in a clear and concise manner and will provide you with mutiple ideas for making this routine fit your own style.
In the interest of full disclosure -I have not performed this routine yet in front of a live, paying audience... the key word being 'yet'. It will be included in my upcoming shows and adapted to fit the storyline. I say this because that is one of the many things that routine has going for it that make it a worthwhile investment - adaptability.

Drawbacks? There is only one possible drawback that I can find with this routine - It may not suit everyone. ( But no routine does.)
That being said, there are only a handful of manuscripts that invoke visual imagry as you read them. That is, you can see the performance unfolding and the reactions of the audience & participants as they are amazed, delighted, suprised, and astonished as you read it & this is achieved in this routine. In the right hands, and with the right presentation - 'The Condemned' has as much potential as you are willing to invest in it. Dr. Todd's expertise and passion for the subject matter shine through in a way that only a labor of one's own personal insight and meticulous research can accomplish.

Difficulty: This depends on which parts of the routine you perform. There are no sleights required, but it is a Mentalist routine that is better suited for those with experience.

Overall: 10/10


Price: £30 international (includes postage), and £25 UK (includes postage).

Available from: www.metaphysical-magician.com

Just ordered mine, weird really i was just talking to someone about planning a show based about witch trials and this turns up for sale!

Thanks for the review and the order!

This was officially unveiled at my lecture in Reading on the 20th of March.

As an aside, I love the design of your website. Very nice indeed - makes a lot of difference, that. Just thought I'd mention it.

I was fortunate enough to see Dr. T perform this for the Ipswich Magical Society.

It's not just a routine it's a show. It was a wonderful piece of captivating theatre from start to finish.

Thoroughly recommended.

Replicant wrote:As an aside, I love the design of your website. Very nice indeed - makes a lot of difference, that. Just thought I'd mention it.

Thanks for the aside...now may I look into your eye?

Are you dreaming of sheep?

Yes. A recurring dream...

Some have asked if this works for larger audiences and the answer is yes! The routine is suited for six people on stage, and audience participation in a mock witch trial complete with a matching and predicted verdict. You can also scale it down to work with smaller audiences for parlour and after dinner shows.

i am planning a stage version with some matching effects to give a 45 minute show. Then i will have a smaller version. I imagine a large black table with a black cloth on it, bleeding candles and a skull. Guests can come to the table in small groups for a 20 minute show, the show is then repeated for the next group. Imagine performing this outside in an old courtyard by moonlight! my mind is racing at the moment

Nice! You may want to check out the Witches Almanac from Outlaw as well!

I will be performing this as a 20 minute routine in an hour show. It ties in perfectly with the theme, my character and will be the main highlight before Psuedo Psychometry closer. It would also be a booking clincher to perform this as a full show during the Halloween season. If you have this, you already know that Dr. Todd's praise for creating 'The Condemned' is not hype - It is well deserved. & I am jealous because I haven't had the opportunity to see Dr. Todd perform this wonderful masterpiece.

Hi everybody !
I live in France and wonder if this can be applied here in french langage ?!
I read english but do the spectators have to read the book also ? Well I think you know what I mean, thanks for clarifiyng this.

Bonjoour!

The story is about English history and the participant needs to spell English counties (which you could have on a map) and will need to read basic English to understand the entries for each indicted 'witch' in the book. The rest could be done in French, such as the selection of the witch and the different tests and verdict. The witch hunt phenomena engrossed much of Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries and it is estimated that close to 30,000 people (mostly women) were killed. France has a strong link to the Tarot, and the Tarot de Marseilles dates back to 1650, which is the height of the witch hunts, so there are some nice parallels to be drawn between England and France for this effect/routine.

Hope this helps!