Why Those Three Effects described on the previous page?

My little talk before the show and the Feather Psycho kinesis or Damballah sets the tone for the show. While I claim no supernatural powers for myself it lets the audience know that they are going to witness things that cannot be explained with pure science. Perhaps Shakespeare was right when he put the words in Hamlet's mouth, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Then are dreamt of in your philosophy."  

In the second effect, Poltergeist, They feel for the pregnant young wife, they are touched by the death of the very young boy, and enjoy the "Happily ever after" ending.  

They have witnessed two things that defy logic but are not threatened. Their guard is down and I hit them with Pazuzu.

The first is a case of mind over matter and I talk about my interest in Uri Geller. It is something most can relate to.  

In the second, thanks to movies and TV, the theme is something they are familiar with.

To end with Pazuzu leaves them limp. It leaves them with something to think about and talk about, and talk they do. My assistants mingle with the crowd after the show and listen to the audience recreate what they saw, which is ten times better than what I did. You can't ask for anything more.

I talked about my act to demonstrate why it is constructed the way it is. There is a reason for every word and thing I do on the stage and it is something every performer should think about rather than to string together several effects just because they like doing them.

It is our job, both in mentalism and bizarre presentations, to control the minds of the audience. You want them to leave the show talking about you and not wondering how that guy did those tricks. If you can create in their minds that what they saw was real, you have a walking advertisement of your show and you, and every time they tell someone about it, it gets better and better. That is a lofty target to aim for but if you put yourself in the audience position, and imagine what they are seeing, you will be surprised at how quickly the pieces come together.

Another way to add a little something extra to a routine or an act is language that will move the audience. You don't have to be a poet or novelist to do this. If you read, and most Bizarrist I know are avid readers, more so than in any other branch of magic, keep a note pad handy and when you come across a phrase or poem that stirs something in you copy it. You will find a use for it. For instance, if you are doing something with a Vampire theme you may want to open with this:

He comes in the night,
In the pale moon Light,
He comes when the cold wind sighs,
He comes in the gloom
From his terrible tomb.
And to see him smile
.....is to die.

From "And to see Him Smile" by Donald R. Burleston.     

Or perhaps something like this:

Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave.
From "Cradle" by Alan Brennert, quote by Joseph Hall.

Or if you do something on the power of nature, this quote by a Mexican Indian, Leandis, will make them think about our pagan cycles.It is a bit longer than the others but worth making a note of:

"We go out and look at the moon or look at the tree and we say, "This animal is our brother," or "This water is our sister." When the missionary says, "The people are worshiping the sun." that's not what we are doing; we're worshiping the Creator. That sun is just part of the Creator, and we're showing respect for it because the sun gives life. This should be understood. Somebody should understand that we're practicing Christian principles better than that guy that went in there as a missionary.

If we don't do the ceremonies, it wouldn't mean the plants wouldn't bloom that year. It would mean we would stop having respect and giving that praise. Then we stop having food to eat 'cause we would lose respect and cut down the rain forest, pollute the water, and destroy the balance. That's the real truth behind this message.

Life is a circle. Because we do these things, respect is kept alive in the minds of the people. That is what the ceremony is for every year. This is what the white man never understood and still doesn't understand. And he is killing himself and destroying everybody because he still doesn't understand this thing.....this circle."

Sometimes the use of a quote that stirs your audience is the difference between a very good performance and one that is memorable.

So mote it be,
Brother Shadow.