What is svengali doll

I read on Derren's blog that the last couple of nights at Oxford they were chopping and changing so I'm not sure if I saw the show pre- or post- the changes. It was a bit hesitant at times and I was very surprised at how often Derren forgot the names of those coming on stage. Even if they do change the show significantly I imagine it'll be difficult to remove the doll since it's called Svengali and presumably the whole show is based on that fact.

That's a bit bizarre since it's easily the weakest part of the show! How impressed would you be if Derren got out a remote control car and had it drive over letters to spell out the answer to questions?

At the end the request for a 4 digit random number is so rubbish that you'd not expect it to have any significant contribution to the finale but it appeared almost central. At ours it was but with some tweaking of dates it could change from show to show - it's just thet the selection of the number ".. But it doesn't. The slapstick ending is funny and it gained, deservedly, a standing ovation. Derren is good but I think he's been better; much better. James -- I think your comment conveys the general sentiment.

Although Derren's new show has it's moments, most diehard fans are disappointed. I blame it on the change in writers.

I think derren show were great till evening of wonders. Enigma wasnt that good either.. But I think derren is more into presentation n aesthetics. Content really isn't that interestin n I believe derren himself know it too.

Nevertheless derren has something pleasant in his personality that people no longer go to see his feats but rather people go to see him n autograph.. Hero 3oooo feets was a blot on derren show brand. I wish he shouldn't have done it. But gotta appreciate him greatly of his new show miracles for sell.

That was really a come back. I love you again derren : and indeed he is looking super sexy and super slim and trim in that show. It disappoints me to see so called fans ruining his show. I went to see it last night and i am still baffled by the way he performs his shows to perfection. Oh and Suegali that may be your opinion. But how do you explain how everything he did worked out?

Why can't you just appreciate his work and the job he does, which he does amazingly. Why feel the need to be so negative. Because what he does obviously is tricks of the mind and illusions.

I'd like to see you people do what he does. Whatever way he does what he does, the man is a genius. Without doubt. Laura, Here is my challenge to you: Produce one person for whom Derren's show was "ruined" because of on-line spoilers. The spoilers are there for people who want them, not for mythical people who cannot enjoy otherwise entertaining shows after viewing a particular webpage.

To those saying it could be remote controlled doll,check out Maskelyne and Devant's "Psycho". No electronics and very much similair to Derren's effect. Laura Bondage Thanks for calling us all idiots!! I , as one 'idiot' have tried to look into the history of it, as I find the back story fascinating, to no avail. Perhaps, as you've found more than I, you would kindly provide a link or two?

Much obliged. I enjoyed the show very much. Perhaps not so much on a par with Enigma, but thoroughly entertaining all the same. I saw this show last night. I have to say am left a little confused! Some of the tricks were obvious. Don't want to say too much to give too much away but how on earth does the doll know what name to spell out from a random audience member?

Hello all of you. I just found this page today, and I am glad. Four days ago I travelled from Denmark to London just to watch the show Svengali. Today, I just got home from London So, when I said "glad" If I did, my experience monday evening at the Novello Theatre in London would have been less enjoyable. It can only be a result of fault expectations! The shows and all from Chanel 4 and every time he states that it ".. I agree. But the doll is only a part of the tools and the scenery.

And, in my opinion very clever and powerfull. That was, in other words, the part called "showmanship". Not to be "figured out". Did you really believe, that DB wanted you to believe that? My God No wonder, you where disapointed! Still the best show around!! I watched it on Channel 4, and it's obvious that the majority of his show is his usual confidence tricks.

The Svengali doll however was truly remarkable. I was sure the guy was in on it or knew what to do. However the whole way through the poor bloke looked terrified and that was what sold it to me! Truly remarkable! Derren first asks the entire audience to think of the initials of someone they know. He says Svengali doll will transmit the initials on the handkerchief this way - i. However, most people forget about this part. When the subject is on stage, Derren somehow finds out i. Perhaps a stage assistant does this while Derren is talking to the audience.

This also reminds the subject who they were thinking of so it is fresh in their mind. This would be cut from the TV version or, at least, we get an "audience shot" while it is happening. The initials are added to the handkerchief once the crew know the name of the person the subject was thinking of. The rest just happens. The important part is that Derren first asks the entire audience to think of the initials of someone they know.

This is key, as he never comes back to this and never reminds us about it. The subject is a stooge in my mind - the illusion is created by saying no stooge is used. If you pay attention, the doll-puppet participant is the only participant in the show who is not chosen at random, he is chosen directly by Derren. Once the stooge participant theory is accepted, the rest falls into place. Watch this section again while applying the stooge theory; the doll's movements are pre-programmed and the stooge acts them out.

Yup, I just watched it as well, and my mind is blown. However, I actually want to believe in magic, so the fact that there have been no explanations yet, pleases me :. You can see the devils tail the first time you look at the poster its obvious as soon as you look at the poster it doesn't just appear after. It's a load of bull poop! The picture gained a devil's tail on Derren for me Perhaps the person was an actor and already knew what letters the doll was going to point at, because it was programmed to only point at those numbers by someone off stage.

Daren said the words 'Devil' and 'sinister'. I think that was what the suggestive part was. He has done that before after all, remember the episode where he asked Simon Pegg what present he wanted?

What are they talking about at the start of this article. The poster didn't change Personal Finance. Welcome to HubPages.

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