Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

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Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby Magicadz » Jun 24th, '15, 00:23



For a good chunk of the last 15 years I believe the main focal point of the uk's image of magic to be mentalism thanks to a very talented Mr Brown.

Do you believe that magic in the uk has reverted back to a more street magic genre, with Dynamo, Ben Hamlin and Troy?

I think this would be good for mentalism as in it's pure form it is very different. I've heard people like Michael Murray say on podcasts how he believes that mind reading is almost what he believes 'really achievable". I've also had a couple of chats with Marc Oberon and he feels the same thing, about times when he just seems to know what a spectator is thinking!
Novice on Magic Forums but not to say I haven't been writing and performing for a long time.
Any comments would be appreciated.
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Re: Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby Lady of Mystery » Jun 24th, '15, 10:06

Fashions in magic, like in everything else tend to come and go. I think you're right that the 'craze' seems to be moving away from mentalism and back towards street magic. These things usually follow whoever's the big name at the time, we're not seeing as much of Derren on TV these days so it would make sense that people coming into magic would tend towards people like Dynamo.

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Re: Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby mdawg » Jun 24th, '15, 12:37

I think those quotes only show that mentalists are almost as delusional as "real psychics"

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Re: Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby mark lewis » Jun 24th, '15, 14:48

I say, old chap. I am a real psychic and no more delusional than anyone else. As for the two people quoted I kind of know what they are talking about. It is not uncommon for someone who performs mentalism on a very frequent basis to receive intuitive flashes. They often surprise themselves. There is nothing "supernatural" about it and I think I know why it works. It never happens to me when performing but it certainly frequently happens when I do palm or tarot readings for people.

Yes. I am not surprised that mentalism is fading a trifle. And so it should be. It can be exceedingly boring with interminable patter and people taking ten minutes to do one trick instead of two minutes. And of course the popularity is actually self defeating. When there is a mentalist on every street corner the believability factor takes a beating. In the old days when there were only a tiny few mentalists audiences would have wondered if there was something in it or not. Not any more when everybody seems to be doing it.

Mentalism is the best kind of magic when done well but the worst type of magic when done badly. And it is usually done badly. As for Derren Brown I never used to like him until I saw him with a live audience. Then I thought he was superb. However, I have changed my mind again and now think he is absolutely dreadful. Why? Because I have seen him using disgusting profanity when performing. The second you do that is the second you are a bad magician (or mentalist if you want to be finicky).

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Re: Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby Mandrake » Jun 24th, '15, 15:25

Fashions come and fashions go, Paul Daniels had his peak time, the Blaine thing lasted a while but faded, the mentalism thing has done the same. Dynamo is moving on to other styles of performance and the (so called) TV talent shows are now featuring big box or prop magic once again. Big stage shows like the Illusionists and Impossible are selling out regularly.

At this rate we'll all be donning Oriental robes and doing a Chung Ling Fu!

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Re: Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby mark lewis » Jun 25th, '15, 00:41

But children's entertainers NEVER go out of fashion!

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Re: Is Mentalism Moving Back into the Shadows?

Postby Magicadz » Jun 25th, '15, 01:27

Thanks Mark Lewis you really did seem to read my mind, they were my thoughts whilst posting. Agree what you say about the offensive language. That wasn't what got him 2 Olivier Awards so why do it now?

Also other great comments thanks. Mentalism done badly is just the worst kind of magic. I do believe and please don't judge me too harshly on this, that mentalism is very closely linked with mathemagics without sounding too nerdy. I am predominantly a mentalist (other than when somebody will pay me to entertain children) and most of my written routines are along that vain. I do things with Roulette Wheels and Peoples Birthdays not just Think of a Number x2 etc...

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