Barrie Richardson – Magic and Mentalism (3 DVD)

When Barrie Richardson’s Theater of the Mind was published in 1999, it drew immediate acclaim from mentalists and magicians, professional and amateur alike, and quickly became a bestseller. His Act Two was just as popular, and now he brings a 3-DVD set to show you how his magic should look.

Richardson, a longtime professional performer and speaker, exhibits an unerring track record for fashioning astonishing effects and routines, dressed in powerful and engaging presentations and supported by ingenious, practical methods.

These DVDs are full of great material!

Magic and Mentalism of Barrie Richardson – Volume 1

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.

Magic and Mentalism of Barrie Richardson – Volume 2

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.

Magic and Mentalism of Barrie Richardson – Volume 3

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!