Comedy in mentalism
Mentalism is the art of mindreading, predictions and making people believe you possess supernatural powers.
But why is it always so serious and mysterious?
Let’s sprinkle in some laughter and turn you into a comedy masterpiece.
Comedy in mentalism is a bit like juggling chainsaws blindfolded,
on a unicycle while being chased by an angry Octopus.
When done right, it’s breath taking, unforgettable and amazing.
Done wrong, and you might as well be communicating with an Ethiopian spirit guide called Sam!
In this post, I’m going to dip into the ocean of mentalism humour.
I’ll look at when to embrace comedy, when to run screaming from it and how to craft your act so you don’t accidentally turn your mind reading marvel into a birthday clown audition, unless that’s your thing? In which case respect!
Welcome to a slightly unhinged but practical guide to comedy in mentalism.
The power of laughter:
At its core, mentalism is about connection and laughter is the secret handshake of human connection.
When your audience laughs, walls come down, doubt fades and resistance evaporates like cheap perfume in a den of iniquity.
A good laugh makes people trust you, even though you’re manipulating reality harder than a half cut stage hypnotist with a pudding belly.
Using humour in your mentalism act can disarm sceptics.
You know, those people who stand there with crossed arms, willing you to fail and melt like cheap chocolate.
A few moments of laughter could be the difference between: This guy’s just using trickery and What the actual funk, maybe he’s the real deal.
Comedy can buy you time. It can help fill those dead moments during setups, peeks, or secret switches.
Instead of awkward silence, your audience will be too busy laughing to notice that you literally just unzipped their souls and unpacked their brains.
Audiences love to be amazed but that amazement will quickly flatline if every trick hits the same emotional note.
Comedy is like a rollercoaster, it can give your show rhythm.
A musicality of tension and release, wonder and hilarity.
If comedy is used wisely, it’s like adding jet fuel to a sports car.
BUT… There’s always a but!
If you misuse it, you’re gonna crash… Hard.
We already know that comedy can supercharge your mentalism,
but it can also be quite dangerous.
Not HAUNTED OUIJA BOARD dangerous, but close.
Things can start going downhill really fast if you joke too much or at the wrong moments. You then run the risk of telling the audience that you’re not serious, which means the mindreading they’re witnessing must be fake.
Yes, you and I know it’s fake… But they’re supposed to forget that for a while.
It’s the difference between:
Wow, you just read my mind, how is that even possible?
And:
Oh, you’re just doing a clever magic trick while joking around… Cute!
Mentalism lives and dies by how real it feels.
If you wreck that reality bubble with badly timed jokes, you’re cutting your own throat for a quick laugh.
There’s a thin, line between a charismatic mentalist who makes you laugh
and the buffoon in a shiny suit who pulls rubber chickens out of his undies.
If you’re not careful, the audience might be laughing at you, instead of with you and once they’ve decided that you’re a comedian, you’re not getting their awe back, it’s long gone.
In fact your audience will be yawning in morse code.
Mentalism comedy tips:
If you want to mix comedy in mentalism without detonating your show, here are some simple battle tested tips.
Know your persona
Are you playing the ‘All knowing oracle’?
The ‘bumbling psychic’ who gets it right anyway?
The ‘mischievous mentalist’ who delights in revealing secrets?
Your character determines how much and what type of humour fits.
Oracles should use dry wit and mysterious humour.
Bumblers can go for physical comedy and self deprecating jokes.
Tricksters can use mischievous one liners and playful audience banter.
You can learn more about developing your persona from my post which funnily enough is called persona!
Click the picture below:
One rule to live by: Never step outside your character just to get a laugh.
It’d be like Superman suddenly doing stand up about oddsocks, it’s weird, distracting and ruins the illusion.
Protect the climaxes
Comedy is great during the build up and death during the climax.
Once you hit the moment of revelation, the mindreading, the prediction or the impossible memory feat. SHUT THE HELL UP!
I’m not saying that to be rude but just let the moment breathe.
The audience’s jaws should drop, not because you hit them with another punchline but because the magic landed with full weight.
Aim jokes at yourself, not the audience
To me, there’s nothing worse than a performer who roasts their volunteers.
If you choose to embarrass someone who was brave enough to help you,
then you deserve to lose the whole room instantly.
Instead, make yourself the target.
Playfully acknowledge your own weirdness, psychic quirks or dubious life choices that led to a career in mindreading for strangers.
Self deprecating humour = Charming.
Punching down at volunteers = TOXIC!
Match the room
If you’re performing in a rowdy bar, then dial up the humour.
If you’re at a formal corporate event. Keep it clever, clean and classy.
Reading the room is everything. If you’re unsure, then err on the side of caution, add more mystery and you can always add more laughs if you sense the audience wants it.
Examples of mentalists who nailed the blend
Let’s take a moment and doff our caps to the noggin ninjas who nailed the fusion of mentalism and comedy:
Derren Brown
He’s funny but always in character. His humour is dry, British and slightly sinister. It fits the mood perfectly without undermining the miracles.
Kreskin
The classic showman. His humour felt old school but genuine. His audience loved him because he was larger than life and endearingly human.
Bob Cassidy
Bob Cassidy’s mentalism had bite, mischief and quick wit but when it came to the revelations he let them sizzle.
No gags. Just jaws dropping.
Study these legends, they didn’t just slip on banana skins into greatness.
They crafted their mix of humour and mystery with surgical precision.
A useful exercise for mentalists
Want to master comedy in mentalism without wrecking your act?
Give this a try:
Perform twice, once deadly serious and once over the top hilarious.
Record both and watch them.
Somewhere between the two, lies your true persona.
This will help bring you out of your comfort zone and force you to find the balance between awe and laughter that fits your personality.
The secret weapon nobody talks about: Silence
Sometimes silence can be funnier than words.
A deadpan look or an awkward pause.
A slowly raised eyebrow after a ridiculous audience reaction.
These moments can get bigger laughs than any scripted joke.
They also protect the magic by keeping you in character.
So don’t rush to fill every second with chatter.
Sometimes the most powerful moment is the one where you say nothing
and just look psychic!
Here’s the ultimate rule:
Comedy should serve the mystery, not sabotage it.
If your humour lifts the audience higher before dropping them into astonishment, you’re a master.
If your humour blows holes in the suspension of disbelief, you’re just a guy doing tricks and telling jokes.
Mentalism is fragile, an illusion of impossible mind to mind connection.
Treat it with the mischievous respect it deserves.
Because when you do, you’re not just a funny performer.
You’re a hilarious sorcerer who makes people feel something unforgettable.
And that, my friend, is true magic.
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