Mark Stone Mentalist

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long have you been doing shows?

I've been entertaining audiences for close to 40 years, although it only seems like 36.

2. Are you a psychic?

I don't think of myself as being a "psychic". To my way of thinking, a psychic tells people what will happen to them in the future, helps them find lost objects, makes contact with those in the spiritual world, etc. I don't do any of those things.

3. Do you really read minds or is it some sort of a trick?

Maybe I read minds.  And then again, maybe I don't.  I make no claims to having any special ability, and it's that aura of mystery that makes what I do so intriguing.  On occasion people have come up to me after a show and told me that even though they saw it, they just can't believe that I really read minds, but they just don't have a logical explanation for what I do.  I ask them if they were entertained, and the answer is always a resounding "YES!".  So it doesn't matter if I'm "for real" or not.  I'm hired to entertain, and if they were entertained, I did my job.

4. What makes your show different from that of other mentalists?

Most of the mentalists I know, including myself, can do some pretty amazing and mind boggling things.  I feel that my show is different because of the comedic content.  In a typical one hour presentation you will probably hear 50 to 60 one liners.

5. I've seen your show and love when you tell random members of the audience things that they are thinking about. Does someone give you information ahead of time about those who will be in attendance?

Absolutely not!  I perform my show "cold". A few times in the past I have had someone representing a group contact me and ask if I'd like information about those who will be at the show and I tell them "Thank you, but that will not be necessary!"  That leads to another frequently asked question.

6. Time permitting, would you be able to read the minds of everyone in the audience?

No!  Just as a hypnotist will have 20 people come on stage to be hypnotized because he knows that only about half of them will fall under his spell, I too can  only work with a fraction of the audience. There is also a percentage of the people who will offer strong resistance to what I do.

7. Can I read the minds of people I see while I'm just walking down the street?

As much as I'd like to say "yes", I have to answer "no". I need to have a good warm up to perform and those I'm working with have to make some effort also.  You may not even realize it, but even though the first thing I do in my show is very amazing, it's something I use just to get me rolling.

8. What about your wife?  How does she live with you since you can always know what she's thinking?

Wouldn't it be nice if I always knew what my wife was thinking about? However, when it comes to knowing what she's thinking, I'm no different than all other men when it comes to the woman in their life.  I never know what my wife is thinking but she always knows what's on my mind.

9. Can anyone do what you do?

Sure, with years and years of practice.  Remember, at every show you'll see me do mindreading, but there are lots of other things I do.  You might see me make a prediction about something that will happen during the show.  Or, you could see me read with my fingertips while blindfolded.  I could possibly demonstrate clairvoyance or psychokinesis or super memory.  You might have the ability to do similar things.  If you do, that's great!  But I have to be able to get in front of an audience amd do some amazing things "on demand".  I have to be able to get audience members involved, I have to be funny, and the show has to have a nice flow to it.  It's not just about being able to "do it", it's being able to present it.