By Lonnie the Theater Lady
“Shane Patrick in The Oracle” opens in a darkened theater, where the only sound is the soft tinkling of a small bell Patrick rings for a few brief moments. He then shifts his focus to the audience in the dim, now silent theater. He effectively engages every audience member by making slow, deliberate eye contact with each one. This builds a somewhat uneasy yet thrilling anticipation for what’s to come.
He relates a story about Illiana, an oracle and vaudeville performer in the early 1900’s. Her mind reading and predictions of the future astonished audiences. Her unfortunate, tragic death cut her career short. She was found hanging lifeless from the rafters of a theater. Some speculated that Victor Gonzalez, a man who was desperately in love with her, ended her life after he became distraught when she didn’t return his love. The mystery of her death was never solved.
Patrick’s fascination with Illiana prompts him to conjure up her spirit and recreate her captivating act, “The Oracle.” He gives audience members a cup containing one die. They shake the cup to tumble the die, then look at the number showing on it. They then look at a written list of numbers from one to six. Each number has a topic written beside it—examples: career, love, health, etc. The person holding the die is then told to focus and concentrate on the topic that matches the number on the die. Amazingly, Patrick then accurately identifies the number on the die with 100% accuracy several times with different audience members. Uncanny. It leaves one asking, “How?”
Another part of the act involves psychometry, the word that describes the energy left behind on inanimate objects after having been touched by a person.
Patrick digs into a fishbowl filled with folded papers on which audience members have written their names and other information. (Thus, leaving their energy on the papers) Patrick holds the folded paper in his hands, reads the energy, and identifies an audience member, first by initials and then by name. He answers questions that haven’t been verbalized. One particularly funny exchange happens when Patrick says, “The answer to your question is about four hours.” He continues with, “Does that make sense to you?” The surprised audience member bursts into laughter, answers in the affirmative, and continues laughing. His question: “How long will it take me to sober up?” So funny!
Other astonishing telepathic feats include telling people their astrological signs and birthdates, identifying what worries them, knowing a person’s favorite color, using Tarot cards to describe one’s personality, and other stupefying, seemingly impossible bits of knowledge Patrick intuits.
Most of this amazing show features soft, piped-in background piano music that creates a soothing yet somewhat mysterious tone. Perfect!
Patrick is a personable, likable performer who engages smoothly and comfortably with the audience throughout this immersive show. His mind-reading ability is truly remarkable and fascinating to behold. He makes it easy to believe the spirit of Illiana is present, and she makes her presence known subtly but without a doubt.
Thoroughly enjoyable best describes this engrossing show, which mesmerizes from the moment the jingling bell opens the show until the jingle of the same little bell closes it! Spellbinding!
LTL
The show runs until October 17 at Liberty Magic, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh 15222
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