This is Absolutely Real

Learn more than TWENTY-FIVE immensely powerful mentalism routines by underground mentalist Thom Bleasdale, designed and engineered to leave long-lasting impressions in the minds of your audiences. From the subtle to the spectacular, each effect in this book is expertly crafted to blur the lines between reality and the impossible.

• Imagine performing an ESP match-up routine where your predictions are laid down first without the need for confusing one-aheads.
  
• Imagine owning the blueprints for a make-at-home impression device so inexpensive it can be left with the participant after the performance and they'll never find the secret.
  
• Imagine having the power to induce a hallucination where your participant swears a wine glass is bending before their very eyes!

All of this, and so much more, awaits you inside.

Thom Bleasdale may not be a household name, but he is a revered figure in the inner circles of mentalism, where his innovative techniques and profound understanding of the craft have earned him the respect and admiration of the likes of Uri Geller, Jeff McBride and Steven Frayne (Dynamo), to name just a few. As a mastermind behind the scenes, Thom has influenced some of the most respected mentalists in the industry, and his life's work can now be yours.

But this book is FAR MORE than just a collection of tricks; it serves as a manifesto for the art of mentalism itself. It is a masterclass in creating genuine connections and authentic experiences, embodying Thom's philosophy that the true magic happens not in the magician's hands, but in the hearts and minds of the audience.

Includes contributions from Banachek and Sean Waters, along with forewords by Jeff McBride and Kenton Knepper.

The release of TIAR is bittersweet for Thom; a health condition has now sadly brought his mentalism career to a close. This book stands as his lasting testament to the craft; it is Thom's parting gift to the magic community that is sure to inspire and influence magicians and mentalists for generations to come.

Compiled over two decades, TIAR is divided into three main sections: Close Up Pieces, Stage Pieces, and "Real" Pieces (full effect list below). Sprinkled within the pages are six additional essays with topics ranging from centre tears to scripting, and from arranging shows to participant selection.

Join the ranks of the world's most respected mentalists and discover the transformative power of authenticity in your performances. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your mentalism journey, Thom Bleasdale's insights and effects will inspire you to create unforgettable moments that resonate long after the curtain falls.

Don't miss your chance to own this essential addition to your mentalism library, because what you do... IS ABSOLUTELY REAL.

Pages: 215
Dimensions: 6x9"

♣ ♥ ♠ ♦

Close Up Pieces

Russian Roulette

Recreate a game of Russian Roulette without the risk, using blank cards and a post-it note. A fun (and safe) routine utilising a simple-yet-devious marking system your participants will never find!

Lost Love

A powerful and poignant demonstration whereby your participant is able to intuit, from a collection of photographs, the ex-love who broke your heart. (Includes an alternative version where the participant correctly intuits your childhood pet.)

Five Card ESP Test

A beautifully bold ESP match-up effect where YOU place down your predictions FIRST. Requires ZERO sleight of hand and NO one-aheads! Grab the nearest spectator and your favourite ESP deck, because you'll be excited to try this right away!

The Light Flame Trilogy

A series of three, knockout effects (plus bonuses) that are underpinned by the same, unique and brilliant method; the ability to identify, from a handful of different cigarette lighters, the exact colour lighter used by a participant to light a candle, burn a billet, or make a wish.  The method is beautiful, but the effects built on top of them are heartfelt and memorable. Includes contributions from Banachek and Sean Waters.

The Close-Up Premonition Induction

A close-up, pseudo-hypnosis piece where a coin and a key become the tools for a mind-bending experience that will leave your participant questioning their reality (and sanity)! A fabulous effect that stands strong on its own, but can also be used as a perfect lead-in to a genuine hypnotic induction.

Identity

Your participant secretly selects a personality type (optimist, pessimist, etc) and is asked to imagine those characteristics apply to the person in a photograph. Not only are you able to reveal the exact personality type your participant is thinking of, you proceed to prove the person pictured is indeed the precise personality type they chose.

The Voodoo Doll

With your back turned your participant is instructed to insert pins into a voodoo doll at positions freely selected moments before. When you turn back around, your white shirt has blood spots in the same places your spectator stabbed. A visceral and unforgettable effect that can be performed both close up and on stage.

The TB Impression Pad

The new and improved "Tommy Pad"; Alakazam's best selling close-up impression device of the mid-2000s is now yours to easily make at home. Utilises updated materials and construction. The perfect close-up pad to carry in your bags and pouches with limitless applications.

Totally Free Will

You introduce three imaginary coins and a face-down prediction. Your participant selects a coin and decides whether it's heads or tails. From the two remaining coins, one is given to you, and the remaining coin is kept by them (they can even change their mind). Despite the process feeling so free and so fair, the prediction is turned over to correctly reveal who is holding which coin, and whether the original coin was heads or tails side up! A fantastic fusion of Richard Busch's Invisible Coins and Deddy Corbuzier's Free Will.

3SP

Your participant selects an ESP symbol while three business cards are laid on the table. They point to a business card. It's turned over to reveal the exact symbol they're thinking of. The two remaining business cards are turned over - they're blank!

Tripple Thought

A participant is asked to choose a playing card and think of it. They're also asked to think of a simple shape and a random colour. Not only are you able to reveal the card they're thinking of, you also correctly reveal the shape and colour they have in mind (without relying on psychological forces).

Free - 3 - T.o.O

Your participant places any three of their personal items on the table in front of them. After asking them to rearrange their order, you are able to tell them the exact object they are thinking of. A completely impromptu miracle that can be performed anywhere (it can even be performed over the phone!)

Stage Pieces

Don't Staple Your Head

Six identical staple guns and a £20 note are used to create a intense game of chance. Will you emerge unscathed, or will you fall victim to the unpredictable nature of the game?

Blank Image

A bold-and-effective method to force an image on your unsuspecting volunteer. Using a blank page from a pad as a visualization aid, you'll secretly guide your participant's thoughts, creating a seamless and convincing experience for both the participant and the entire audience. A devious dual-reality application for cabaret-size performances.

Premonition Induction

Do premonitions just happen? Or can they be induced? Two volunteers are used to put this idea to the test. Participant A is placed into a trance-like state, allowing them to correctly foresee the future decisions of Participant B! 

Subconscious Chaos Theory

In an experiment of subconscious thought transmission, Participant A thinks of a person's name while Participant B mixes a stack of alphabet cards. From their (genuinely) mixed cards, a handful of letters are removed, and Participant B uses them to spell a name. Impossibly, the name Participant B has freely spelt matches the name in Participant A's mind!

Labyrinth

Can a participant retain information from a briefly flashed image? Yes, and you prove it. Your participant is shown a maze for only three seconds. Yet, despite the brief exposure, they're able to solve the maze without ever looking at it again.

Protection

Your participant writes down the name of somebody they cherish and seals it in an envelope. Pieces of identical paper are placed in matching envelopes and are mixed so nobody knows the location of the loved one. Not only are you able to reveal the name of the person they are thinking of, when held to a flame, all envelopes perish except for the envelope that contains name; it survives unscathed. A powerful and moving piece that's equally effective for close-up performances.

We Went Looking For Those Dreams

Pages torn from horror novels are mixed by three participants on stage. Each helper takes a page and is asked to find a small collection of words that stands out to them. Each participant reads their short phrase one at a time. Despite the words originating from horror texts, when the chosen words are spoken sequentially by each helper, they form a perfect sentence of poetic beauty. But that's not all - you also reveal the full phrase was predicted ahead of time, adding an extra layer of mystery and impossibility to this already powerful effect.

Lipgloss Hyperballad

Four CDs from recognizable bands and albums are introduced, and you explain that one of them contains your favourite song. Through a series of free choices, an album is chosen and a track number is selected. But before the track is played, you'll prove that the participant has intuitively chosen your all-time favourite song. Includes an alternative version by Jack Curtis that achieves the same effect with even less process.

Music 2.0

Another innovative music-themed effect, where random choices become the foundation for a melody. Audience members write down random numbers on index cards, which are then translated into letters and played as notes on a piano or keyboard. The resulting notes are not only tuneful - they produce the theme tune to your very stage show! A remarkable demonstration of prediction and creativity.

Real Pieces

NOTE: The Real Pieces section features a collection of jaw-dropping demonstrations that showcase Thom's mastery of the craft. While these techniques may require a higher level of skill and experience to execute than the book's other sections (they're not surefire), they offer a glimpse into the advanced possibilities of mentalism and provide a roadmap for those looking to push their skills to levels only seen on TV. They will inspire you to think differently about your performances and strive for greater heights.

The Numbers Game

A person thinks of a two-digit number. Through a natural, conversational dialogue you are able to accurately divine the number and tell them them what it is! Nothing is ever written down, no props, just pure mind reading.

Car

Through a rapid-fire series of instructions, you flood your participant's mind with ideas, and then, in a stunning revelation, you pluck an exact image from their mind. A daring and rewarding effect that makes for a perfect opener into a larger routine.

The (Non) Bending Wine Glass

Induce a hallucination in your participant with this unnerving experience. They will SWEAR the stem of a wine glass is bending in front of their eyes! A devious application of suggestion and optical trickery, this effect will leave your participant questioning their perceptions.

Force Choke

Recreate the iconic scene from Star Wars where Darth Vader chokes the commanding officer without ever touching him. This is a masterful demonstration of psychological manipulation and suggestion using nothing but words. You will appear to literally ASPHYXIATE your participant. This is NOT for the faint of heart (chose your participants wisely).