Roslyn Walker, the British escape artist who has said he can duplicate David Thompson’s act, left a comment on this thread. Since not everyone may have seen it, I’m posting it here.
It’s clear that Roslyn is more skeptical about psi than I am (and as far as spoon-bending is concerned, I don’t think magic tricks can account for the hundreds of PK parties hosted by Jack Houck). Be that as it may, I have no reason to doubt that Roslyn can escape from flex-cuffs. That’s what the man does, after all.
Roslyn’s Web site, which includes contact info, is here.
Also, commenter David Craig has pointed me to a discussion of escaping from flex-cuffs in this forum. (Scroll to "Physical Mediumship" and look for the entry on flex-cuffs. You have to join the forum to see the thread.) Escapologist "Wolflock," who has also said he can duplicate Thompson’s feats, makes an appearance on the fifth page of the thread.
Anyway, here’s Roslyn:
Hi,
Thought I’d drop by and introduce myself in person.
My name’s Roslyn Walker and I’m an escape artist and variety performer.
I’ve been training in the art of escapes, sideshow and circus for the past 12 years now and I’ve had an interest in seances, mediums and psychics since I was a kid.
As a child I used to be fascinated mainly by the physical phenomena produced by psychics, and for years I used to rub that spoon wishing it would bend… it never did.
Until I started practicing the art of deception that is. Now I can make that spoon bend anyway I want… but its all just a trick.
Since learning how to bend a spoon using magicians techniques I’ve tried to discover other possible methods to duplicate what mediums claim they can do by getting in touch with spirits.
I’ve never publically exposed any medium or psychic in the past as being fake mainly because I never saw the harm in what they do… however, what really got my goat about Thompson is the fact that on his UK tour he’s going to be demonstrating psychic surgery.
This I absolutly HATE!
Not only is he taking the gulible for a ride, but he’s claiming he can heal them. I strongly believe this to be the most evil thing a person can do to another.
It disgusts me.
So I decided to make it known that I can free myself from zip ties AND resecure myself without the aid of spirits (although I am partial to a G & T now and then), trained assistants, fake chairs, fake zip ties, fake arms… I think you get the message.
Thompson claims to use borrowed chairs and all real stuff to hold him down, so I have done the same and I can still get out.
So, anyway, that’s who I am and that’s my position with the whole David Thompson thing. If he or anyone who knows him reads this I would be honoured to meet him when he comes to the UK, swap ideas and share escape techniques. In fact, it would be an honour to witness what he does and for him to see what I do.
Let me know, I’m contactable through the site.
Roslyn Walker