Tony Stockwell's interest in becoming a medium started as a 16 year old and visiting a spiritualist church hosting a medium demonstration. Prior to this during his childhood he had always been aware of being able to see people others could not, to hear his name being called and indeed forecasting events before they happened but although realising he was different to other kids he accepted it as normal for him. From then on he developed his skills as a medium and has toured much of the world giving demonstrations, writing books and appearing in several TV shows including four of his own, The Psychic Detective, Street Psychic, Psychic School and Psychic Academy. Stockwell has also appeared alongside many of the world's top mediums. He also lectures and tutors on the subject and offers short residential courses to those interested in developing their own psychic skills. At his own studios in Essex there are also several 10 week courses available dependent upon your own psychic ability, be it an absolute beginner to those ready to give their own demonstrations.
The theatre was filling up rapidly as we took our seats in the stalls with a mixture of the sexes and ages and an air of anticipation. There was a simple stage set, all black with a small high table, a video camera and a backdrop screen displaying Stockwell at work giving stage demonstrations, street action and other information but it was hard to take notice of it prior to the show. During the interval this was replayed and it was annoying to watch as the sound was out of sync with the actual screening and the information was out of date advising one to one consultations were filling in fast for 2014!
The lights dimmed and Stockwell walked onto the stage, asking for the house lights to be put back on and after a very brief introduction launched straight into making a contact. He described a young man, gave certain details and a name and he was acknowledged by just one member of the audience. A microphone was handed to her and her image was then portrayed onto the screen for us all to be able to follow the information about to be given. It appeared to be very relevant to the family there and they did not give out any information that Stockwell could have latched onto so you either believe or figure how does he do it! The message he gave the family at the end from their loved one left many of the audience with watery eyes. Throughout the first half he would mention names and events and just ask if anyone could relate to make themselves known. There were many names I could have related to but as he gave further information I could not make a link. On occasions there were several people all showing interest but he was able to whittle it down to one when he gave out more names or details of hobbies, work or interests. He asked people to just say yes or no if what he said make sense and he honed in on the positives but swiftly swept aside any negative responses and said he was right and they should check out what he said later. On stage he appeared to be 'listening' to his contacts and did not really make eye contact with the audience for long. Before the interval he asked for people to hand any photos they had of any loved ones they would like to get a message from to a member of his team. These were all placed on the table on stage.
After a short break Stockwell returned to the stage and again made contact with 'spirits' eager to give messages to their families in the audience. There were funny memories, sad and poignant ones for many, but each ending with a message which I felt would make those contacted feel more at ease over their loss. He did not rush any messages and gave a fair amount of time to each audience member he linked to. If there was one criticism it would be the sound level of the microphone for Stockwell, it was quite low and when an audience member was handed a microphone they tended to hold it well away, possibly a little overawed at handling one and appearing on the screen behind him! But maybe this is also to add to the intensity of the evening as people strained to hear and gave full attention to what was being said.
Interestingly when he used the photos to make contact he did not reveal any names of those passed over but did appear to know how they died and gave a lot of other relevant information to the families.
Stockwell is quite humorous in his delivery and a likeable character and although he had several books, cd's and other gifts available for sale, did not push sales of them unlike many.
Believe or not? I have seen many psychic demonstrations in the past, on stage and in one to one consultations. I personally want to believe and have been given details that only I could know but then still I question how? Whatever your perception on the afterlife is and making contact with mediums, I would recommend going along to a show if only to prove yourself right...!
Reviewed: 26th May 2016
Reviewer: Lorna Weekes
