If you've been curious about Paul Voodini's stuff I can't imagine a more pleasant or cost-effective introduction.

My first encounter with Paul's work was "Reader of Minds" quickly followed by "Pure Q&A" both of which presented a world of mentalism that was thrilling and terrifying, a kind of stand-up mentalism.
And yet, surprisingly practical.

The lecture was a gentle introduction to that world of "doing it for real". Filled with readings and pendulums (pendulae?) and drawing dupes but all with a reassuring and theatrical structure to support the performer and entertain the audience.

Having seen so much of the same kind of mentalism lecture for the past few years (some excellent, some tedious) this was something new and fresh-- somebody more prone to hyperbole might say "revolutionary". If I was to warn people about the material my caution would be: it might be too "audience-centric" for some. We often pay lip=service to audience centred material but it can sometimes literally be "hit or miss". At it's best the performer is a guide for the audience having amazing experiences-- but what it offers can't exceed what the audience brings to it-- meaning if you have a poor/inattentive/skeptical audience you could have a long night ahead of you... but you might be the host of the most memorable night of their lives.

Those of you who have Voodini's work probably won't find anything new, but it was a fascinating study to see how a room with a handful of magicians reacted and imagining what the reaction of a room full of laypeople would respond.

Congratulations Paul.

I am glad that Paul made this lecture. We need more of this approach in terms or realism and exploration in our community.

Thanks for the review Dave!

Thanks for the kind words, Dave & Pablo. I appreciate it.

The lecture was a lot of fun to do.

Hello Paul,

I have never purchased your works so far. But I am trying to pick up some of your material. Kindly advise me. As a first time reader of your works, is it better to buy your Penguin lecture as the first buy or some of your other stuff which I was browsing on Lybrary. Thank you so much in advance.

I would be interested in Paul describing his own works, approach and material (type and who it's for?)

My work is based around cold reading (or perhaps more accurately, simply 'readings') and its application to mentalism and magic.This concept is thoroughly explored in Reader of Minds, Magicians Guide to Palm Reading, and Pure Q&A.

I also perform in a gimmickless sense, that is providing shows that explore the wonder of the mind without out-and-out trickery. I rely more on readings (again), pendulums, past life regressions, and 'genuine' mind reading. There are many books out there in which I explore these concepts, but perhaps Pure Q&A and Midnight Side of the Mind are the two that contain the most potent routines.

For a long time I also presented 'ungimmicked' seances and ghost hunts, and the Paranormal Entertainer would be the first stop with that kind of work.

Fantastic! Thank you so much. I think that is quite helpful to any and I wish more guys that released material would take the time and make the effort to properly explain themselves, their material and who it is best intended towards.

I've always heard good things abut you and your work, but have also felt it likely wouldn't be for me or my interests and was always afraid to buy anything only to be disappointed, not in you or your material, but as it would pertain to my interests and use. I like the organic sound of your approach. It seem nice as opposed to the common trickery approach of so much mentalism today. Thanks.

Clearly one of the fresh voice out there

Plus, I just discovered that you are a very humble performer able to make time fly very quickly during a three hour lecture

Thanks for the review!

Pauls palm reading routine from the lecture is fantastic and a great introduction to doing readings. I highly recommend this lecture.

I recommend anyone into mentalism watching this lecture. Palm reading skills and perhaps some pendulum, should be in the arsenal of many mentalists, considering the more and more popular new age area

This is a very different kind of a lecture. This is not full of the usual 'tricks and methods' but is based on a 'feel and process' approach. Lot of new perspectives, especially for the 'pure' mentalist. Personally, I gained a lot from this. Thanks Paul....and Penguin.

I'll check it out.