Paul Brook and Colin McLeod – This Way Up

Audience:

‘This Way Up’ is a unique collaboration between Paul Brook and Colin McLeod, featuring two distinct effects rooted in the same powerful principle, each with its own impactful application.

Paul’s Contribution (Close-Up)

Engage with a group and discuss the significance of memories, highlighting how our first and favorite experiences linger throughout our lives. Invite a participant to think of a memory, allowing her the freedom to change her mind if desired. Without any prompting, you accurately describe the emotions she feels and their physical manifestations. You then vividly recall specific images from her memory, astonishing both her and the audience as you name the exact memory she is contemplating. The participant confirms that your descriptions align perfectly with her thoughts.

This effect can be repeated with the same participant or another volunteer, showcasing the versatility of the routine. This creation has been a staple in Paul’s close-up repertoire since its inception, remaining a closely guarded secret shared only with a select few of his closest friends.

Colin’s Contribution (Stage)

On stage, you face the audience and invite three individuals to stand. Each is asked to think of something different: one a location, another a film, and the last a time. Without any fishing for information, you reveal what each person is thinking, providing intricate details that suggest genuine mind reading.

To heighten the effect, three more audience members stand, and a fourth participant joins you on stage. Again, without any coaching, this audience member accurately reveals the thoughts of each individual, adding precise details that seem spontaneously generated.

Colin regards this as one of his most powerful creations, having performed it in prestigious venues worldwide, including the Magic Castle and the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. It’s his go-to effect for leaving a lasting impression, whether in a full-length show or a brief performance.

Key Features of ‘This Way Up’

• No writing down of thoughts
• No cueing involved, as in some of Paul and Colin’s other routines

Both performers have modernized a classic method, making it accessible and breathtaking in execution. The simplicity of the technique ensures that anyone who reads the book can master it.

Additionally, Paul and Colin are renowned for their powerful psychological subtleties, and ‘This Way Up’ exemplifies this reputation.

This limited edition book is restricted to just 200 copies, each hand-numbered to guarantee exclusivity. It promises to be not only a valuable resource but also a collectible item for enthusiasts.