THE BLURB:
In this much-anticipated DVD series, Barrie Richardson, the
diabolical mind behind the best-selling books Theater of the
Mind and Act Two, performs his creations for a stunned and
mystified audience and then takes you behind the curtain
with Michael Weber to explain his exceptionally clever
methods.
"I can safely say that at least one Barrie Richardson
creation has been an integral part of literally thousands of
my professional performances." - Michael Weber
VOLUME ONE - PLATFORM MAGIC
Ovation Position - A surprising opening routine that
involves the entire audience and ends with the production of
a huge glass of water - and no gimmick is required!
Impossible Knot Routine - A metaphor for how most of us say
something is impossible when in fact it can be done, the
performer ties a knot in a length of rope without letting go
of the ends. For the gasp-getting finale, the knot is untied
under equally impossible conditions.
Airplane Cards - A Cards Across effect that generates huge
audience responses as three thought-of cards travel between
two spectators. No false counts, gaffed cards, or gimmicks
used. In fact, this can be done with no preparation with any
cards in almost any situation.
Mind Control - A message sealed inside of an inflated
balloon is found to contain the thoughts of five audience
members. A fun-filled routine with a lot of audience
interaction that seeks to answer the age-old question, "Are
women easier to influence then men?"
The Inexplicable Bill in Lemon Effect - A reputation-making
effect where a bill, marked in three completely different
ways, is found inside of a lemon taken from a small, sealed
box that was in the possession of a member of the audience.
This is one of Barrie Richardson's most commercial effects.
What's more, the routine is virtually self-working!
The Incredible Water Glass Suspension - A metaphor for how
important it is to let go of things in our lives if we wish
to change, the performer dips a wooden spoon into a large
transparent glass of water and then removes his hand,
leaving the heavy glass suspended in space.
A Gift to the Audience: To Risk - A poem by Hedda Gold - If
Barrie only had five minutes and had to make a choice
between performing a trick and reciting a poem that had
meaning for most of the audience, he would choose the
poem�and this one is one of his favorites.
VOLUME TWO - THE MAGIC OF YOUR MIND
Choices Have Consequences - A Bank Night effect with
meaning, three envelopes are presented to two spectators yet
the performer is left with the big prize. Nevertheless, the
performer is also forced to learn that choices do, indeed,
have consequences. No gimmicks, no forces - just a fun
routine that can be performed anywhere.
Second Spot - Barrie's version of Fogel's classic
psychometry routine is performed in the context of the
amazing story of the Uruguayan athletes who survived a plane
crash in the Andes Mountains. The owners of five borrowed
objects are successfully divined with plenty of laughter,
fun, and mystery.
Mesmer's Pencil - A demonstration of �animal magnetism.� A
pencil resting on the performer's hand rises as a female
audience member draws near. She then discovers, after the
performer suggests that the pencil is now very heavy, that
she cannot lift it. After she changes the image in her mind,
the pencil becomes light again and it is given to her as a
souvenir. This routine has been used by some of the most
distinguished mentalists in the world.
Dollar Divination - The performer demonstrates his ability
to determine six of the serial numbers from any borrowed
bill with only his fingertips. He then has one spectator
mentally transmit the last two digits to another with total
accuracy. Versatile for close-up or stage.
Angel's Flight - Even though the performer is at quite some
distance, he reveals the playing cards the audience members
are thinking of. Finally, the entire audience, using their
collective imagination, divines the number of cards that
were previously hidden away. A wonderful mystery wrapped in
a true story that also utilizes a totally novel - and very
deceptive - deck switch!
Thoughts with Wings - A newspaper section is torn into small
pieces by a spectator, who then selects a single piece. She
is then asked to mentally select a single word from the page
and with absolutely no questions asked, the performer
correctly reveals the chosen word. A stunning display of
what can only be actual mind reading.
VOLUME THREE - MENTAL AEROBICS: MEMORY AND METAPHOR
Quartet - Playing cards are fairly shuffled by a spectator
and yet, when the cards are distributed to four
participants, the performer reveals them with stunning speed
and inerrancy. This is an extremely commercial effect that
looks and feels like a genuine demonstration of
extraordinary memory power.
Zebras and The Magic Square - A magic square routine that
serves as a metaphor for how people too readily accept an
easy answer while discounting other options. The audience
interaction makes this demonstration a lively and memorable
experience with none of the participants likely to ever
forget what not seeing a zebra means.
The Human Movie Projector - The performer demonstrates an
uncanny mental ability by memorizing 46 playing cards from a
fairly mixed deck. The audience is helped to realize their
own potential as they are able to correctly remember the
order of the other six cards.
The Suspended Rice Jar Metaphor - While weaving a tale of
the ancient Chinese priestesses, the performer suspends a
large jar of rice with just a single thin chop stick. No
magnets, wires, or gimmicks - just magic!
Sun and Moon Memories - A routine that utilizes concepts
with far-reaching applications for mystery workers, the
performer demonstrates how words, numbers, and pictures can
be communicated, not by mind reading, but by using just the
power of touch.
The Memorized Time Magazine - A current issue of Time is
torn in half and the pages distributed to members of the
audience. Any page number is called out and the performer
immediately is able to reveal the contents on the selected
page, including detailed descriptions of the articles, in
addition to intricate details such as phone and credit card
numbers. No electronics are used in this dramatic
demonstration of the creative powers inherent in everyone's
mind. This one's a true audience pleaser!
MY COMMENTS:
There's really not much to say. Barrie Richardson's
material has been praised to no end and rightfully so. His
two books are considered must-haves for any mentalists
library.
These DVDs contain presentations of what is debatably the
cream of the crop from the two books. I've seen Richardson
lecture quite a few times and I've seen him perform at the
Magic Castle (he appeared twice there in the last decade).
So, I've seen him perform most of these. Memorized Time
Magazine, Quartet, Ovation Position, Airplane Cards, Dollar
Divination, and Thoughts with Wings are just a few of the
gems I've seen him perform and that are presented on this
DVD. And, like Michael Weber (who appears on volumes 2 and
3 to discuss the material), at least one of Barrie
Richardson's routines I perform fairly regularly. (Like
Michael, I also will keep mum about which one.
These three videos are a showcase for the variety of
wonderful mentalism routines created by Barrie Richardson.
And it's about time these were released. If you haven't
already added at least one of his routines to your
repertoire, then you probably don't own his books or these
DVDs. And, of course, you should. The set is definitely
recommended.
In this much-anticipated DVD series, Barrie Richardson, the
diabolical mind behind the best-selling books Theater of the
Mind and Act Two, performs his creations for a stunned and
mystified audience and then takes you behind the curtain
with Michael Weber to explain his exceptionally clever
methods.
"I can safely say that at least one Barrie Richardson
creation has been an integral part of literally thousands of
my professional performances." - Michael Weber
VOLUME ONE - PLATFORM MAGIC
Ovation Position - A surprising opening routine that
involves the entire audience and ends with the production of
a huge glass of water - and no gimmick is required!
Impossible Knot Routine - A metaphor for how most of us say
something is impossible when in fact it can be done, the
performer ties a knot in a length of rope without letting go
of the ends. For the gasp-getting finale, the knot is untied
under equally impossible conditions.
Airplane Cards - A Cards Across effect that generates huge
audience responses as three thought-of cards travel between
two spectators. No false counts, gaffed cards, or gimmicks
used. In fact, this can be done with no preparation with any
cards in almost any situation.
Mind Control - A message sealed inside of an inflated
balloon is found to contain the thoughts of five audience
members. A fun-filled routine with a lot of audience
interaction that seeks to answer the age-old question, "Are
women easier to influence then men?"
The Inexplicable Bill in Lemon Effect - A reputation-making
effect where a bill, marked in three completely different
ways, is found inside of a lemon taken from a small, sealed
box that was in the possession of a member of the audience.
This is one of Barrie Richardson's most commercial effects.
What's more, the routine is virtually self-working!
The Incredible Water Glass Suspension - A metaphor for how
important it is to let go of things in our lives if we wish
to change, the performer dips a wooden spoon into a large
transparent glass of water and then removes his hand,
leaving the heavy glass suspended in space.
A Gift to the Audience: To Risk - A poem by Hedda Gold - If
Barrie only had five minutes and had to make a choice
between performing a trick and reciting a poem that had
meaning for most of the audience, he would choose the
poem�and this one is one of his favorites.
VOLUME TWO - THE MAGIC OF YOUR MIND
Choices Have Consequences - A Bank Night effect with
meaning, three envelopes are presented to two spectators yet
the performer is left with the big prize. Nevertheless, the
performer is also forced to learn that choices do, indeed,
have consequences. No gimmicks, no forces - just a fun
routine that can be performed anywhere.
Second Spot - Barrie's version of Fogel's classic
psychometry routine is performed in the context of the
amazing story of the Uruguayan athletes who survived a plane
crash in the Andes Mountains. The owners of five borrowed
objects are successfully divined with plenty of laughter,
fun, and mystery.
Mesmer's Pencil - A demonstration of �animal magnetism.� A
pencil resting on the performer's hand rises as a female
audience member draws near. She then discovers, after the
performer suggests that the pencil is now very heavy, that
she cannot lift it. After she changes the image in her mind,
the pencil becomes light again and it is given to her as a
souvenir. This routine has been used by some of the most
distinguished mentalists in the world.
Dollar Divination - The performer demonstrates his ability
to determine six of the serial numbers from any borrowed
bill with only his fingertips. He then has one spectator
mentally transmit the last two digits to another with total
accuracy. Versatile for close-up or stage.
Angel's Flight - Even though the performer is at quite some
distance, he reveals the playing cards the audience members
are thinking of. Finally, the entire audience, using their
collective imagination, divines the number of cards that
were previously hidden away. A wonderful mystery wrapped in
a true story that also utilizes a totally novel - and very
deceptive - deck switch!
Thoughts with Wings - A newspaper section is torn into small
pieces by a spectator, who then selects a single piece. She
is then asked to mentally select a single word from the page
and with absolutely no questions asked, the performer
correctly reveals the chosen word. A stunning display of
what can only be actual mind reading.
VOLUME THREE - MENTAL AEROBICS: MEMORY AND METAPHOR
Quartet - Playing cards are fairly shuffled by a spectator
and yet, when the cards are distributed to four
participants, the performer reveals them with stunning speed
and inerrancy. This is an extremely commercial effect that
looks and feels like a genuine demonstration of
extraordinary memory power.
Zebras and The Magic Square - A magic square routine that
serves as a metaphor for how people too readily accept an
easy answer while discounting other options. The audience
interaction makes this demonstration a lively and memorable
experience with none of the participants likely to ever
forget what not seeing a zebra means.
The Human Movie Projector - The performer demonstrates an
uncanny mental ability by memorizing 46 playing cards from a
fairly mixed deck. The audience is helped to realize their
own potential as they are able to correctly remember the
order of the other six cards.
The Suspended Rice Jar Metaphor - While weaving a tale of
the ancient Chinese priestesses, the performer suspends a
large jar of rice with just a single thin chop stick. No
magnets, wires, or gimmicks - just magic!
Sun and Moon Memories - A routine that utilizes concepts
with far-reaching applications for mystery workers, the
performer demonstrates how words, numbers, and pictures can
be communicated, not by mind reading, but by using just the
power of touch.
The Memorized Time Magazine - A current issue of Time is
torn in half and the pages distributed to members of the
audience. Any page number is called out and the performer
immediately is able to reveal the contents on the selected
page, including detailed descriptions of the articles, in
addition to intricate details such as phone and credit card
numbers. No electronics are used in this dramatic
demonstration of the creative powers inherent in everyone's
mind. This one's a true audience pleaser!
MY COMMENTS:
There's really not much to say. Barrie Richardson's
material has been praised to no end and rightfully so. His
two books are considered must-haves for any mentalists
library.
These DVDs contain presentations of what is debatably the
cream of the crop from the two books. I've seen Richardson
lecture quite a few times and I've seen him perform at the
Magic Castle (he appeared twice there in the last decade).
So, I've seen him perform most of these. Memorized Time
Magazine, Quartet, Ovation Position, Airplane Cards, Dollar
Divination, and Thoughts with Wings are just a few of the
gems I've seen him perform and that are presented on this
DVD. And, like Michael Weber (who appears on volumes 2 and
3 to discuss the material), at least one of Barrie
Richardson's routines I perform fairly regularly. (Like
Michael, I also will keep mum about which one.
These three videos are a showcase for the variety of
wonderful mentalism routines created by Barrie Richardson.
And it's about time these were released. If you haven't
already added at least one of his routines to your
repertoire, then you probably don't own his books or these
DVDs. And, of course, you should. The set is definitely
recommended.
Barrie Richardson
THE MAGIC AND MENTALISM OF BARRIE RICHARDSON
$95 (3 Volume Set)
Suggested Retail Price $104.95