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Wish I had been up there long enough to see your show Pete. Sounds like I missed a good one!

I went to see a "mentalist" called Hank Stone at the Fringe. His show was an absolute joke and was actually only stage hypnosis that utterly failed on a stage full of volunteers. We walked out halfway through in complete boredom and disbelief that he was still trying. I hope for his sake it was just an off day but it was severely lacking in the mentalism department whatever the case.

As there is a chance I will be living in Edinburgh next year, I hope I can catch some quality acts such as your own.

Weird...

A couple of other mentalists (one of whom is now quite well-known in the community) arrived at the show last nightafter it had started. They then announced their presence halfway through via the Q&A slips I was using. I'm jumpy about performing for other magi at the best of times, let alone when they introduce themselves secretly mid-show!

I don't recall any comment about the show from them either - they left pretty promptly, leaving me with the impression that they absolutely hated it.

It's interesting, because I've had magicians (not mentalists) talking to me after shows, and being much more friendly. Is there something different about mentalists in general?

Anyway. That would have crushed me for the evening, had it not been for the fact that my brother made a surprise appearence in the audience. He drove up from London especially. I'll be seeing him and his family at this afternoon's show too. Happy Pete.

Don't worry about the other mentalists Pete - you know what they're like! Most of them are lovely people but one or two tend to like everyone well enough who they view as "below" them, but they get a bit uppity if they think you're reaching their level (and overtaking them). Add to that the pack mentality (as it were) of several mentalists hanging out together, and it's just a recipe for childlike behaviour!

There really was no reason to make themselves known to you via the Q&A slips, and arriving late (and making an entrance no doubt) was just plain rude.

They sound silly. Name & shame, I say!

Alternatively, perhaps they loved the show but didn't want to bug you!?

Depends on who it was, but have you checked out their review if they were performing there ?

I have on several peeps and ya know, ya did good babes !!

Im so chuffed for you x you totally deserve it x

Forgot to add, you really are one of my inspirations and i am a huge fan of your stuff.

Go Petey !!!

It's interesting, because I've had magicians (not mentalists) talking to me after shows, and being much more friendly. Is there something different about mentalists in general?

Funny thing is, Ive sometimes found the exact opposite is true..
A gathering of magicians can be .. well you know... a bit "Blackpool" present company excepted.

I won't name & shame, as I don't know for sure that they were being mean-spirited. Even if I firmly believe that they were.

Anyway, I'm getting towards the end of the run now, and Edinburgh on the whole seems to be quietening down. I've got tonight off, so my next evening show will be Friday - that's always a fun and busy night.

Pete

they may of had a mad dash to the next show.. no time to chat.

you should send them a " lovely to see you, shame we didnt have time to talk " email.

I saw Hank Stone twice at the Edinburgh Festival, the first time was amazing! he had 20 people on stage doing the most amazing things. He had everyone in the audience pick a number, then look under their seats and there was a envelope taped to the bottom of their chair with that number! I was blown away! There was like 300 people, 300 numbers?!?! I bought tickets to the next night. I got to meet him after the show, he told me he had some bad haggis and wanted to cancel but couldn't He was really slow at the start but about half way into it the show really started to get good. It was a much smaller crowd on the last night. But when the show got underway, dam it was good! Don't know what you saw,, but you did leave?

Thats like leaving a movie during the opening credits and saying you saw the movie,,

DaveM wrote:Wish I had been up there long enough to see your show Pete. Sounds like I missed a good one!

I went to see a "mentalist" called Hank Stone at the Fringe. His show was an absolute joke and was actually only stage hypnosis that utterly failed on a stage full of volunteers. We walked out halfway through in complete boredom and disbelief that he was still trying. I hope for his sake it was just an off day but it was severely lacking in the mentalism department whatever the case.

As there is a chance I will be living in Edinburgh next year, I hope I can catch some quality acts such as your own.

Steven360 wrote:I saw Hank Stone twice at the Edinburgh Festival, the first time was amazing!

Your first post, eh, "Steven"? Aaargh! My spider sense is tickling!!

Yeah I'm new to magic, but I've been a fan for a while. I got this really cool book called "not just for beginners" and it had some really good tricks. I'm thinking of doing my first show, but don't know where to start?? any ideas??

Steven360 wrote:There was like 300 people, 300 numbers?!?!

There were around 12 people and a lot of empty seats in the show I saw.

Despite this, I was eager to volunteer and see what it was like to be hypnotised. I was very open to the idea and was looking forward to being a part of the show. Unfortunately, I felt unaffected and had to leave the stage. I didn't mind this part as I know it doesn't always work.

However, he had failed to hypnotise everyone and you could tell it was going badly by the looks on the audience's faces.

Perhaps it was a bad/unlucky night... I don't know, but I am very convinced it wasn't going to be an entertaining last hour and I left to reclaim my evening. Hardly the opening credits.

I am sure Hank has had many successful shows and I'm sure he wouldn't be doing a show at the Fringe if it never worked. However, the show I saw was not entertaining after 1 hour in and I (plus a couple of other people) had had enough.