As those who have attended some of Kenton's more exclusive and expensive workshops know, "Indirection" is a key principle in Kenton's work. Far more important than "mis-direction", indirection is a subtle way to cause the audience to accept things as true without conscious criticism.
This manuscript details new effects and techniques based upon this powerful principle. From making "standards" truly remarkable (such as the Linking Rings, Egg Bag and even the Lota Bowl) to new works such as Kenton's "Indirection Bowl" direct from the opening of his act, or "Drawing Duplication" from television, many great effects and ideas are examined in detail.
It's hard to get a room full of magicians to applaud a Lota Bowl or hardcore mentalists to be fooled by the use of a stooge. But "Secrets of Indirection" reveals how to do all of this and more. Once you grasp the principle, you'll apply it to nearly everything you do.
Kenton's use of making a compass move while attempting metal bending is in here too. This is not the same thing as "Kenton's Kompass". You'll find Kenton also tips for the first time his "Famous Bottle Vanish" used in clubs, banquets and on full stage. This alone is worth the price of this manuscript to any performer - and it is easy to do. Many more effects are detailed.
This manuscript will change how you look at everything you do in performance. The simple concept of "indirection" will radically alter our magical and mental arts - if we but think and apply this remarkable tool.
The majority of effects described are magical in nature, though some mentalism is of course included. Magic examples make for the easiest and quickest way to grasp the indirection concept, that you may then apply to mentalism and everything else you do. While effects may be magic oriented, this will not dissuade the thinking mentalist who is after principles, not simply tricks.
This key principle upon which Kenton depends in all manner of work and styles of performance is now revealed at last.
This is the latest of the in-depth work by Kenton upon which so many await and rely. You will want to get ahead of the pack and begin reconsidering your act using the power of indirection.
MY COMMENTS:
You've probably seen, or heard of, magicians and mentalists saying things like "I have an ordinary deck of cards" or "This is an empty envelope." When a performer calls attention to the obvious, it does the opposite and adds suspicion. Instead, a performer needs to use actions and, even more importantly, the right words to indirectly state something that the audience should understand as obvious, like an ordinary deck of cards or an empty envelope.
Every mentalist (and magician) needs to know how to be able to do this. In mentalism, especially, with all its subtleties and psychological ploys, the use of this very important principle must be ranked as essential. For experienced mentalists, this principle may be one that has already been learned through experience but Kenton will explain some wonderful finesses and patter suggestions that
will allow you to apply the principle to more than you thought.
This 8.5" by 11" book (52 pages, saddle stitched) is not only one of Kenton's best works, but one that I'd recommend that everyone should get and absorb. You may find yourself reading it cover to cover quite a few times. Even though most of the book contains magic effects, Kenton uses them to
illustrate the many various uses of the principle.
Remember, the effects are not the point; the principle is.
It is left up to you to go through each effect you perform
and alter how you "indirectly" state things. Also, the
principles here will work in any language. Finally, I
should warn you that it may require much thought to apply
this principle to your act at first, but the effectiveness
of your act will definitely be heightened by using the
valuable information contained within this essential text.