talkmagic.co.uk

Hi All,

More magic on the telly marvelous or so you would think.

Bravo are currently running a series of shows (I think these are repeats not sure) called "Close Encounters with Keith Barry". This is after a strange concept of a show called "Street Hypnosis". I am really a great lover of this hit and run magic NOT! Bring back P.D. Magic Show

Now according to the Keith Barry website he is an Internationally renowned magician currently working for A-list celebrities in Hollywood. Now the show isn't bad but it is the selection of tricks that I have a problem with, they are a bit all over the shop. One second Keith is doing an unbelievable mind reading only to follow it the vanish and reappearance of salt (using your friendly TT). Or chink-A-chink (using snooker chalk cubes) to follow it again with a unbelievable mind reading excercise. I may be going over the top somewhat but I do like magic that has a purpose/reason. But the way the show has been edited makes a mish mash of quick tricks and you are not quite sure if Keith is trying to be a Guru or a fun cheeky chappy. Take a look at the the quality guys with there TV specials and they know what kind of persona they are trying to sell. The only reason I feel that I have to watch is to know what has been on the telly and for that time when someone says "can you do that one where the cards appears on the persons shoe?"

If anyone else has seen it perhaps they could pass comment. Or better still if anyone knows Keith perhaps they could shed some light on the making/thinking behind the TV show.

I pretty much agree with you. Some effects which are excellent actually lose a bit of their wow factor due to the odd sequencing and choice of effects which don't run well as a routine. When you compare him to someone like Derren Brown, who makes people believe he has special powers even when he is telling you he hasn't, then this weakness becomes even more apparent.
Saying that, I did like the way he used the brainwave deck with the snooker player. And he did present an amusing alternative handling of colour monte, which also had a lot more audience participation.

my opinion is that it apeared to be..... look at me i can do several diferent styles of magic competently.
its was more like a promotional video than a magic show, that said the magic for the most part was well up there with blain and the mentalism side was close to the calibre of brown just completely mixed up which as you have said leaves you thinking is he trying to be seriose or funny??.