This booklet is almost entirely devoted to the idea of prop free mentalism through analytical reasoning and observation. Discussed within is how to develop powerful prop free direct mental routines that you can come up with almost on the spot. Also discussed is ideas on how developing your memory could help to improve your routines and your act in general through less pocket space, you’ll never need another stacked deck and actually performing memory routines themselves, and also why the creation of a memory palace is a good idea for any mentalist to consider.
As well as all this i have included my original SHERLOCKIAN routine that granted does use 1 prop but it is just for a cool theatrical premise. As well as my work on the 3 truths and a lie game that uses nothing but your ability to spot the fibber’s in the room. Included is what to look out for and why, which could have taken a booklet to itself as it is something of a passion of mine.
review in from irish vagabond entertainer of liamoneilentertainment.com
'You know the kind of routine you read and half way through you have to leave the house to find some unsuspecting person to try it out on, well that’s what you get with SHERLOCKIAN. The routines are very good and explained in great detail; you can tell that Ben has put a lot of hard work into each step but it’s the subtleties of the body language and the idea of just paying more attention whichmake a good read a great one.
As I read each step I start to think of ways that I could use these techniques to freshen up some of my own performances, as well as how these routines could fit into what I already perform.
After you have read through the works of Ben you will findyourself too entering into the mind set of Sherlock Holmeshimself or even Jason Bourne, as you pick apart every personyou meet.
A great read and a very interesting look at prop free mentalist, if you perform any mind or body reading this is a must have as it is full of useful information tried and fieldtested by a great performer and a genuinely nice guy.'
Review from Anthony Jacquin, world renound mentalist and hypnotist and CEO of Head hacking:
''Some people do puzzles, some people do good tricks but Ben Cardall tells you everything about yourself by glancing at your shoes! He his extraordinary and you should hire his services if you want smart Sherlockian entertainment. Elementary, no **** Sherlock'
Snippet from Atlas Brookings review on ementalism :
"Have you ever played a game where you look at something or someone, and then look away and try to answer questions about the scene that you so avidly studied?
So why do I bring this up? Why should you care?
The simple answer is because real deductions can be made – ACCURATELY – by observation of the world around you. The trick is to know what to look for.
I recently read a few books by Ben Cardall.
In the field of Mentalism, he is, in my opinion, at the forefront of the deductionist subculture. He is one of a small group who are not satisfied to simply make their revelations appear both real and impossible. Instead, these men strive to genuinely read people in their surroundings and cleanly derive accurate conclusions. They'll take a shortcut when they need to, but they strive to minimize those moments.
They are looking for the real thing.
If you are too, you should check out Ben's work.
The Sherlockian is an excellent place to start and blends traditional methods with genuine data-mining for subsequent rational conjecture and feedback. Ben's advice here is Peter Turner-esque as regards his approach to reading a situation and presenting ideas with confident abandon while garnering credit at the appropriate moments. The Sherlockian is great place to start, but Smug Guesswork is a smorgaspord of excellent guidance. Though, sadly, the latter book is not available on this site.
When you read something like this, you begin to pick up threads that lead you to moments like the one I described with the young couple above – and your knowledge base is more robust and credible, with the result that what you do becomes more real with every passing day.
So, yeah…If that sounds good to you, then start with The Sherlockian and see where Ben's ideas take you.
Best,
Atlas"
