Standing ovations give Keith a magical feeling...
Mentalist Barry on audience response to his new show
MAGICIAN Keith Barry admitted he’s never satisfied with a gig unless he gets a standing ovation.
The mentalist, who is on the road with his nationwide show Deception, admitted he’s a perfectionist in his work.
He told the Irish Mirror: “The tour is going great, I’ve got a standing ovation every night. Somebody even ran off the stage a few weeks ago they were that freaked out, so it’s going well.
“But I get very annoyed at myself I don’t get a standing ovation.
“I’m a perfectionist like that. I’m not happy unless I get one.”
“I set standards for myself and with every new show I expect to meet them.”
The Co Waterford hypnotist has brain-hacked some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Bono and if Morgan Freeman, and has also made appearances on prestigious US shows such as The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
However, he said he still experiences nerves every time he goes on stage.
The 42-year-old added: “I don’t get nervous that something will go wrong, but I do get nervous when I am standing on the side of the stage, before I go on.”
In the world of magic and illusion there will always be sceptics, but the seasoned showman said he loves to bring his own non-believers centre stage.
Keith added: “I love sceptics, in fact I encourage them to come and
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especially encourage them to join me on stage. They are my favourite because they are the easiest to fool.
“You know exactly what they’re thinking and how they’re hoping to catch you out, and don’t want to believe. “They are actually easier to fool than anyone else just there to enjoy the show.
“It’s easy to click in and know how the mind is working.”
And in a world where technology has opened up a new generation of Youtubers and online influencers who are becoming as big as TV stars, he said he isn’t threatened by their version of magic. Keith added: “Many have a massive following, but can’t stand on stage and perform, plus they often rely on a lot of camera work and special effects.
“I much prefer to be performing live on stage.
“TV is much more restrictive anyways and it all depends on what time of day you are going to air or the audience, whereas on stage I get to be me and involve the audience too.
“I can’t say just yet but the screen again soon.
“I can’t say where or what it will be at the minute, but I will definitely be back on TV. All will be revealed later, pretty much after the tour ends.” ■ Keith Barry’s nationwide tour ends in Cork with three shows at the Everyman on March 14, 15, and 16.
I’m a perfectionist I set myself standards and I expect to meet them KEITH BARRY
I will be on