Richard Mark has dedicated himself to developing innovative routines and techniques...He understands why certain routines work, and others do not work, and his thoughts are valuable to any performer of this type of entertainment."
- From the second edition foreword by Ken Weber, author of Maximum Entertainment.
If you are one of those who hasn't yet discovered the ingenious, almost diabolic, manner in which Richard Mark approaches his craft, then you are in for a surprise. Imagine: You show a sealed envelope (from the "Fantasy House Clearing Sweepstakes") which remains in full view. An audience participant freely selects and names aloud a celebrity and three sweepstakes prizes. He is given the envelope - no switches - to open and read the contents. The letter inside announces, in typical advertising 'hype', that the participant is a finalist in the sweepstakes and that the celebrity named will present one of three prizes - the very same prizes selected by the participant!You tear a page from the daily newspaper into dozens of pieces. A participant indicates which of the pieces is to be used, takes that piece, and points to a word on it. He opens an envelope, in view before he selected his piece of newspaper, and reads the letter inside which perfectly predicts the selected word!Secret celebrity identities are assumed by three audience participants. While your back is turned, each helper freely selects, from a box containing a large assortment of plush stuffed animals and gag gifts, a present for himself and conceals it in a paper bag. Without asking a single question, you can name not only the celebrity personality assumed by each helper but also each particular gift chosen!These routines (and many more) are revealed in this volume. Many of these impressive and creative presentations have previously been available only to Mentalism insiders, who often paid more than this book's price for a single routing!
