Magic Tricks

I've always been interested in incorporating a 'criminal/crime' themed routine to my show so when I read the 'blurb' on HTYMR it immediately caught my eye.

Ordinarily I don't pull the trigger and purchase until I've read reviews or had an effect recommended by people I know or if I the creators previous offerings. Suffice it to say I like Looch's stuff and I purchased HTYMR. I'm glad I did.

HTYMR is a performance piece involving you and a participant delving into the psyche of the criminal mind, specifically one 'Mr Gerald Robinson', hence the title.

Via a series of 'phases' in the routine the performer builds up a criminal profile of the participant demonstrating that they have a very criminal mind indeed. In fact the participant is able to divine information about Mr Robinson's crimes that only Mr Robinson himself, or someone close to him, would have been privy to. The upshot/finale is that the participant themselves is revealed as being one of Mr Robinson's accomplices.

The phases involve various props. You have artifacts, mug shots, police psychological profiles, police notebooks, etc. I like the physicality of the props and the way Looch incorporates them into the routine. Their inclusion is logical (and integral to the various methods at work) and they provide an air of authenticity to proceedings. The props and stuff are things you'd have to print out and prepare for yourself which will take a while but is worth the effort.

For me, the value of HTYMR (or other effects like it) is in how it sparks my own creativity. Before I got to the end I had loads of ideas as to how I'd put my own spin on it.

For example, TV shows like CSI (pick your city), Criminal Minds and The Mentalist are a perfect lead-in to the routine. I'd give it more of a 'roleplay' feel with me playing the role of the Lead Investigator and the participant playing the role of a 'Forensic Psychologist' brought in to help 'crack' the case. At the end, rather than the participant being revealed as an 'accomplice' of Mr Robinson as in the original routine, I'd reveal the participant to actually BE Mr Robinson.

All good stuff just as I've come to expect from Looch.

Regards,
Lar.