World renowned Mentalist Lior Suchard is heading to Australia this month for another national tour. Following sold out shows in 2015, Lior is back again to blow minds with his incredible techniques. I was lucky enough to chat with the Master Mentalist about his newfound fame, his world travels, and growing up with a strong sense of intuition. Find out how Lior rose to prominence, appearing multiple times on ‘The Tonight Show’, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, and performing in over 50 countries worldwide!
What led you on the path to becoming a mentalist?
Growing up, I always knew that I had a talent very different to others. It was when I was about six years old that I noticed I had a very strong intuition about people. I could tell if someone was lying, or if their intentions were good or bad. I didn’t see this as reading minds, but I developed my abilities to a point where I could play the game of ‘pick a number from one to ten’. From there it turned into ‘pick a number from one to 100’ and now, I can figure out whatever number someone is thinking of. It was a process of working, developing; practicing that has led me to becoming a mentalist. I also liked the stage since I was very young.
The combination of this and learning the different aspects of the human mind from psychology, non verbal communication, body language reading and more –led me to become a mentalist
Mentalism to a degree is based on psychological principles, although some would say it looks like ‘magic’. How do you feel about the comparisons, and do you personally believe people can possess somewhat supernatural abilities?
I am not a magician – I don’t do magic tricks and I think people are being reductive when they call me ‘magic’. What I do is something that is highly skilled that is more than just tricking people. I don’t know how to saw a woman in half and how to produce a rabbit from the hat. All my live experiments on stage are based on mind abilities. Do I believe people can possess supernatural abilities – definitely! I would say I provide entertainment that is supernatural because it goes beyond the natural, or what we know as natural.
Mentalism is definitely psychological. In my work I use a variety of techniques from psychology as well as non-verbal communication, sensitive intuition and deduction. I also use many more underground techniques to create my experiments on stage.
What are you most looking forward to about visiting Australia?
I love Australia. This will be my third time visiting in a year! The first time I came I performed seven shows at the Sydney Opera House – and when I left, my team and I were getting so many Facebook messages and e-mails from people asking me to come back. So we worked on something and I came back in November to promote it, it was so much fun.
I’m looking forward to coming back in January and February because I get to travel to different cities in the country. People have told me so much about Brisbane, Canberra, Perth… it will be good to see them. I always laugh because in Australia people say ‘no worries’, and I think that after some of the Australians saw me on TV or on the radio they had some worries!
How has fellow Israeli illusionist Uri Geller inspired you?
Uri is a huge inspiration for me. I was actually named his successor on the TV show The Next Uri Geller. Of course I take a lot of inspiration from him, but I think it’s important that I work on my craft so that it develops and becomes my own thing. I don’t want people to go to my show and think ‘oh he’s just like Uri Geller’, I want people to leave my show and go ‘wow, there is no one like Lior Suchard’.
You’ve performed for quite a number of celebrities, tell us a story of a particular meeting that stood out to you.
Everyone asks me this question! I think it’s because celebrities try to be so private and then I am able to read their mind and shock everyone! I think a highlight from this year was when I was performing at Leonardo DiCaprio’s Foundation gala in St Tropez. Apart from involving Leo in an act, I was able to guess Sylvester Stallone’s first love – his wife couldn’t believe it, until I guessed her first love too – then she wouldn’t believe it!
Many of your live shows are based on audience participation. Have you ever had an instance where things have gone horribly wrong?
Haha no I have not! Although I think sometimes some audience members are so skeptical that they end up wasting time or looking foolish trying to find clues or evidence of me rigging it. I do acts that involve a small group, to acts with just one person. The people who are trying to prove me wrong at every turn don’t make it harder, they just make the final result more worth it because they end up having their mind blown! The show is fun! That’s the key. It’s not just about the “mind tricks” it’s about people experiencing wonder and laughing all the time.
You’ve mentioned previously that you’ve had very strong intuition ever since you were a child. How does that effect your every day life?
It is something I have crafted and worked on for nearly my whole life and I have learnt to use it for my work. This does mean that I am constantly aware of things and sensitive, but I’ve learnt how to switch it off. I still don’t get a lot of sleep, and I can’t relax very well, but I’ve been doing this for long enough to know when to take rest when I can.
How does it feel to finally gain recognition as a world renowned Mentalist? Do you feel like fame has changed you?
I enjoy the recognition, not because it makes me feel special but because I love that I can do something that encourages, brings joy and allows people to realise the power of their own potential. I love being able to make people laugh – entertaining people with my performance. I wouldn’t say fame has changed me but it has definitely allowed me many amazing opportunities performing for amazing people.
You’ve performed in 42 countries around the world. Do you find that some are more receptive than others? How does your audience differ from country to country?
I’ve actually performed in over 50 countries now! Some audiences are definitely more receptive – that’s just because some have heard of me before, or are aware of what I can do so they are more open. Some countries, especially those in the Western world tend not to have such an openness to the supernatural, so they can be harder to convince or perform to. I’ve really enjoyed performing in countries like India and Russia. And of course, Australia!
What are your plans for the future? Other than world domination of course!
World domination sounds great! Of course I just want to continue to perform all over the world, bringing joy and laughter to people with each show. Many adventures, many amazing projects, and of course – finishing this Australia Jan-Feb tour and preparing my next visit to Australia.
Lior will begin his tour in Melbourne at The Comedy Theatre on the 27th of January.
www.ticketmaster.com.au/Lior-Suchard-tickets/artist/1513695
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