by Mat Churchill

I first met Nicholas Tweedy, the mentalist, yesterday as he handed me a business card from his wallet that burst into a ball of flame in his hand. Not your average introduction.

Nick learned his art as a boy growing up in Japan.  His father was a marine for the U.S. Army, and his mother taught English to the local children to help bring in a little more income. It was there where he met one of the children's fathers, a mentalist who would soon become his mentor.

So just what exactly is a mentalist?

"Mentalism is a specialised form of illusion. The best way to explain the difference between being a magician and being a mentalist is the old sawing a woman in half trick," Nick said. " If the crowd saw a magician do it they would know that, even though the woman appears to be in two pieces, she is ok and perfectly healthy. If I did it the audience would actually think she was dead."  

But don't let that sense of realism stop you from seeing him. Nick's 'Touch of magic' shows at the Sheraton Mirage over the next week are family oriented (although he does perform adult content shows that sound very intriguing).

"I don't use massive $20,000 props in my shows. Mentalism is all in people's heads." he said, and adds that "I find Australians are the most skeptical people on the planet. If they don't like you straight away you'll know about it, but if they do like you they'll be the best and most energetic audience."

After only five minutes of being in Nick's company it's very hard to be skeptical, and there are four very confused lads at the Newsport still trying to work out just how he does it.

Nick will be performing in the Glade at the Sheraton Mirage (the Mirage sounds like a pretty appropriate place for it) on Sunday 4 July, and Wednesday 7 July. Doors open at 7pm and shows kick off at 8pm.

Tickets cost $25 for adults and just $15 for children, and can be purchased by calling 4099 5888.