I look for a sceptic because I’m sceptic myself, we should question everything
Cash for anyone who can beat magician’s Mind Games
BY
MENTALIST Keith Barry is seeking sceptics who can beat the brain hacker as part of his new show.
The world-famous magician is offering money to anyone who can withstand his mind-reading powers live on stage.
The Waterford illusionist, 46, reckons those who question everything might be the most likely to outdo him.
There’s cash in it for anyone who succeeds at his show Mind Games, which is touring the country until March.
But it won’t be easy to block out Barry, who can tell people the PIN code of their bank card or the name of the first person they kissed.
Keith told the Irish Mirror: “I’m offering cash if someone can beat the brain hacker.
“There are eight mind games and in one, I take on the sceptics. And I want the sceptic to take on me.
“There’s nothing supernatural about what I do. A sceptic can be on guard to subliminal influences I am trying. It’s just a person watching what I am doing astutely – and using it in reverse on me.
“I look for a sceptic because I am a sceptic myself. I think scepticism is healthy. I don’t like cynicism – there’s a big difference.
“Cynics are poisonous but scepticism is good. We should all question everything in life.”
He’s ready to lose. “I have lost money before on previous tours, so it can happen.
“I haven’t tested out this particular mind game, but in another instance I lost €1,500 on stage.”
He’s not afraid of failure “Failing is healthy. Everyone should push to failure. You don’t want to fail often. Fail and then learn quickly and forget about it.”
He reckons the world needs magic now, with pandemic, war and inflation.
Living in the digital world means there’s less intrigue and mystery.
Keith added: “I’m getting away from explaining and getting back to the mystery. Everyone is stressed, we all have high levels of cortisol.
“The world needs mystery in an age where everyone is putting up how everything is done online. We think we can Google the answer to everything.
“After 20 years on tour, I’m not going into it anymore. You can come up with your own concept.
“We need magic, child-like wonder, excitement and fun.”
Keith, whose celebrity fans include Ellen degeneres, Woody Harrelson and
Nicole Sherzinger, has performed deathdefying stunts throughout his career.
He brought broadcaster Kathryn Thomas on a blindfolded drive around country roads and for one trick, set in Collins Barracks, he caught a fired bullet in his mouth.
So what’s next?
He said: “It varies. A few years ago I was underwater every night, or
€1.5k
I see a shift in demographic.. teens come straight from school in their uniforms
KEITH BARRY SPEAKING TO THE IRISH MIRROR ABOUT HIS SHOW
hanging upside down outside RTE with cling film on my head and a straitjacket on.
“I don’t think too much about it, I just go by gut instinct and don’t limit myself.”
He’d like to do a largescale motivational show to bring people to peak mindset.
“I do small, corporate seminars on this – hacking into your own subconscious mind for a life of productivity and positivity. I’d like to bring it to the masses in a big theatre.”
A veer into victimhood culture has been bad for people, he reckons.
Keith said: “There’s a mental health crisis and I feel people need to take accountability, looking at it from a self-help perspective.
“Too many people are living in victimhood mentality and what has happened in the past. It
comes down to programming their subconscious mind.”
Maybe this inspiring vibe is attracting a whole new generation to Keith, for the first time in his career.
Mind Games is a family friendly show, suitable for age 12 up.
Keith said: “I see a shift in demographic with this show – teenagers coming straight from school in their uniforms. Normally, it’s people in their 30s and 40s.
“I’m not looking for this generation per se, but they’re coming. Maybe their parents have introduced me to them.”
■ Keith Barry’s Mind Games tours Ireland until March. Up next is The Lime Tree on February 10, followed by The Helix in Dublin on February 11. For information, see keithbarry.com.