Scots mentalist Fraser Penman stuns Still Game's Isa and Tam with mind-bending stunt ahead of Fringe show
Scotland's answer to Derren Brown wowed Still Game stars Isa and Tam with mind-bending 'Hide-and-Seek' stunt ahead of his Edinburgh Fringe show.
Visually impaired Albino mentalist Fraser Penman delivered an unforgettable twist on the classic game at the capital's Dynamic Earth this week.
The acclaimed East Kilbride performer used an astonishing feat of mind reading and psychological skill to locate a personal item hidden deep within the centre's tropical rainforest by Still Game actors Jane McCarry and Mark Cox.
The Fringe performer - known as PENMAN: The Imaginator - used the rare art of Hellstromism (or muscle-reading) to perform the jaw-dropping stunt.
Without sight, but with heightened senses, Fraser placed his hand lightly on Jane's shoulder and guided her through Dynamic Earths immersive galleries.
He then homed in on the hidden item – H.G. Wells novel 'The Invisible Man' - using subtle psychological techniques. Fraser made a final connection with the popular TV actors before pinpointing the exact hiding place of the novel, secretly hidden beneath the rainforest canopy.
In a dramatic finale, Fraser unveiled an envelope with a note inside correctly predicting the name of the book, leaving those who witnessed the moment in awe.
Blending ancient play, Hide-and-Seek was first documented by Greek writer Julius Pollux in the 2nd century - with cutting-edge mentalism, the stunt offered a glimpse of what audiences can expect from Fraser's debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, PENMAN: The Imaginator - YOU, at the Gilded Balloon.
Fraser, 30, lives with the most extreme form of Oculocutaneous Albinism, meaning he is visually impaired. His Fringe act fuses mind reading, hypnosis, and comedy, inspired by his journey to transform a childhood coping mechanism into a remarkable skill.
Fraser, who describes himself as a 'Psychological influencer', said: 'I grew up just like other children across the country playing Hide-and-Seek, But I played it differently, as I was born with a severe visual impairment, which meant I had to learn to sense things another way.
"And that's what today's stunt at Dynamic Earth was all about, learning to sense differently. To imagine differently and be able to influence people's thoughts.
'Using a little-known technique called Hellstromism, also known as muscle reading, I didn't just read where Tam and Isa went to in Dynamic Earth, I also gently influenced where they would go, before they even knew.
'By simply touching both their shoulders again and using the same psychological methods, I was able to go deeper into their mind to find the exact spot in the rainforest area where they had hidden the book.
'With so many different attractions, Dynamic Earth was the ideal venue for a fun game of Hide-and-Seek with a twist. Today's stunt was a taste of YOU, my live theatre show premiering at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
"A show about breaking beliefs, finding inner superpowers and discovering just how extraordinary your own mind can be."
Jane McCarry chose the novel, The Invisible Man, as the 'hidden item' as it's very personal to her, having been given to her mum in 1941.
She said: 'I thought choosing the book, The Invisible Man, was very appropriate for the stunt with Fraser. I have always had a fascination with magic and I want to believe it's real, so it was amazing to be up close and see Fraser in action.
"I can't imagine for a second how he knew where the item was and then guessed that it was the book I had brought with me.'
Mark Cox added: 'The whole stunt was mind-boggling and baffling, Fraser blew me away with his performance. I have no idea how he managed to find the item and predict in advance what the personal item was. I'm still scratching my head how he did it.'
Suzie Holligan, visitor experience and events director at Dynamic Earth, said: 'It was a real pleasure to host Fraser for this one-of-a-kind experience. Dynamic Earth is all about inspiring curiosity and encouraging people to see the world differently, and Fraser's incredible skills brought that to life in such a unique way.
'We're proud to be an official Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue, providing a spectacular setting where science meets storytelling. We're thrilled to have been part of this special event and wish him all the best for a fantastic Fringe debut.'
Fraser has previously hypnotised pop star Callum Beattie, some of Scotland's top TikTok social media influencers and renowned Scottish comedian Gary Faulds.
With more than 2.5 million views on TikTok, he is determined to change the perception of those with Albinism and hopes his Fringe stage show will act as an inspiration for people with the condition.
Fraser added: 'When I was training to be a primary teacher in my 20's I was inspired by Derren Brown's storytelling and showmanship, I must have watched a DVD about hypnosis a thousand times.
"Once I read a few books and looked into the neuroscience behind it I realised that I had the ability to hypnotise someone almost instantly. It was like having a superpower, I was blown away.
'I had a difficult childhood growing up with Albinism, so having this gift has allowed me to turn around my life and chase my dreams of one day having my own residency at Vegas.
'Many people with Albinism are confined to the house wearing dark glasses but I'm determined to change that perception. I want to inspire others that if you can see it in your imagination anything is possible, or even when you don't believe in yourself you can still believe in your dream.
"After being bullied at school I was determined to change my mindset, and it ended up saving my life.
For the past six years, Fraser has been holding down two jobs while honing his craft with performances at venues around the UK. His new Fringe show is the first time it will be performed before audiences in Scotland.
Fraser will be appearing at the Gilded Balloon between July 30 and August 24.
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