Banachek
Banachek is an influential mentalist, magician, author and consultant, known for refined psychological illusions and practical mentalism.
Banachek, born Steven Shaw in England in 1960, grew up in South Africa and Australia before moving to the United States. He became internationally known through Project Alpha, an experiment with James Randi that demonstrated how apparently paranormal phenomena can be created through deception and performance techniques.
As a performer and creator, Banachek helped shape modern mentalism. His books, including Psychological Subtleties, and his PSI Series are valued by magicians for their clear thinking, subtle methods and strong audience impact. He has also worked as a consultant for major magic productions and performers. His work combines psychology, theatre and carefully constructed illusion while treating mentalism as entertainment rather than a claim of supernatural power.