Mentalism & Hypnosis - Ian Rowland - The Cat Test
Description & Effect
Unleash Astonishing Mind-Reading with 'The Cat Test'
Step into the world of genuine, impromptu mentalism with Ian Rowland's 'The Cat Test' – a brilliant concept designed for magicians and mentalists seeking a powerful, practical, and incredibly flexible routine. This isn't just another card trick; it's a masterclass in psychological subtlety and clever misdirection that allows you to demonstrate unparalleled mind-reading abilities in virtually any casual setting. Imagine yourself in a relaxed environment, perhaps a coffee shop or a friendly bar, when the perfect opportunity arises to showcase your extraordinary talents. With 'The Cat Test,' you're always ready to impress.
The Power of Pure, Unforced Choice
What sets 'The Cat Test' apart is its commitment to absolute fairness. A spectator is invited to look through a regular deck of cards and simply *think* of one – there's absolutely no force, no control, and no sleight of hand involved in their selection process. You, the performer, are seated a distance away, completely disengaged from the cards themselves. The spectator can even hold the deck in their own hands, ensuring they feel in complete control. Once they've memorized their chosen card and hidden the deck away, you turn to face them, ready to pluck their secret thought directly from their mind. You never touch the cards, ensuring the illusion of pure mental connection is perfectly maintained.
Limitless Presentation, Endless Possibilities
One of the most compelling aspects of 'The Cat Test' is its incredible adaptability. From the moment you begin your performance, you already know the spectator's chosen card, leaving the rest entirely to your creativity and acting prowess. You can present this as a profound display of telepathy, genuine ESP, or clairvoyance, captivating your audience with a serious, mystical demeanor. Alternatively, you can play it light and humorous, claiming you're just incredibly good at guessing. Ian Rowland provides the framework; you supply the theatrical flair. This inherent flexibility means 'The Cat Test' isn't just an effect; it's a tool that will serve you well for years to come, offering countless opportunities to entertain in diverse 'impromptu' situations, including over the phone or internet.
Original Specs
The CAT Test is a fun idea for magicians and mentalists to enjoy using. It’s not really the sort of item where it makes sense to state the Effect and then reveal the Method, for reasons that will soon become clear. However, for those who insist, here’s the basic idea. Imagine an informal, impromptu setting. You’re hanging out at the coffee shop or in the bar with friends. An opportunity arises for you to demonstrate your amazing talents. A spectator looks through a regular deck of cards and merely thinks of one. There is no force or control. You are seated a short distance away and have nothing to do with this selection procedure (the spectator can even have the cards in her own hands). Once the spectator has memorised one card, and she has hidden the cards away, you turn to face her. You can read her mind in any way you like and identify the card. You never touch the cards or handle them in any way. If you really wanted to, you could do this without any cards being involved, although I think the version with actual cards in play is better. You genuinely look away while the spectator chooses and thinks of any card, and the cards are out of sight by the time you begin your demonstration. You can dress this up however you like. You know what the card is as soon as you start your performance so the rest is just up to you and your acting ability. You can play it very straight and serious, or just present it as a bit of a laugh. You can say it’s telepathy, ESP or clairvoyance, or just claim that you’re quite good at guessing. You can dream up literally any presentation you want. What’s more, over the next few years you will probably find yourself in all sorts of ‘impromptu’ situations where you can have fun with this idea. In some circumstances, you could even perform this effect over the phone or the internet
