talkmagic.co.uk

Im curious when you include an audience reading (Q and A) in a mentalism set where does it most effectivly lie? As an opener middle or closer? My understanding is that the best way to open is to preform something that involves the entire audience so as to make them realize that absolutly anyone can be selected. This type of sequence to me fits that requirement but it is commonly asserted that this is the most powerful thing a mentalist can preform for an audience which to me also screams closer.
My concern is that by opening with the Q and A that's all people will focus on for the rest of my act, especially those whose questions I did not get to.
What do you guys think.

Casanova

There are several things you can do - suggestibility tests, psychological forces - that use the entire audience and are good for openers. Close on Q&A.

HINT: Watch footage of world class acts that do the Q&A

Then again you could just do like Jerome Finley and do little other than the Q&A for an hour+ show. . . of course, John Edward & Sylvia Brown haven't done bad with that route either. . .

HINT: Watch footage of world class acts that do the Q&A

Then again you could just do like Jerome Finley and do little other than the Q&A for an hour+ show. . . of course, John Edward & Sylvia Brown haven't done bad with that route either. . . Laughing

I have seriously considered doing just that.

Casanova

My Q & A closes the first half of the show. The audience have a chance in the interval to talk about it, but are ready for something else when they come back.

Reader of Minds is essentially about doing an "ungimmicked" Q&A act. Honing cold reading until it seems like you're actually reading minds.

Linky link: http://www.lybrary.com/reader-minds-p-29045.html