It's all in the mind, or is it? One man who will be plumbing your inner depths will be mind reader or mentalist Marc Paul.

In his one-night show at the Beck Theatre, Mind to Mind, Marc will be plucking thoughts from people's minds and revealing information ranging from favourite films and birthdays to family pets and car registrations.

But Marc, who first started exploring mentalism at the age of 12, insists this is a learned memory skill, rather than a gift from God.

He said: "I am not a psychic. I do not have a God-given power from above. When I was 12 I read this book: How to develop a Superpower Memory which opened my eyes.

"There are various things you can do with your mind that are not taught in school: short cuts, techniques to develop your memory."

Integrating the psychology of perception, persuasion and 'sleight of mind', he has created a stunning show on the cruise circuit and just started a six-week UK theatre tour last week at Epsom.

Marc, a 40-year-old father-of-two from Hampshire, says: "I get people on stage and test their ability to lie using various techniques. It's not scientific. I can also do rapid calculation and show others how to do it too. On the cruises the teenagers really love it and it's fun for all the family."

He worked in retail when he left school, but never wanted a traditional career so gradually built up his contacts in the entertainment world. Marc says: "There is a real appeal learning about our minds. We spend billions of dollars exploring outer space and we don't know about inner space. We don't know about ourselves. This taps into people wanting to know more about themselves."

* Mind to Mind is on at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes on January 24 at 7.30pm. Book on 020 8561 8371.

Some of Marc Paul's 'secrets' revealed

1. Quick calculation: What is 11x17? Add 1+7 = 8. Put 8 between 1 and 7 which makes 187, which is the answer.

2. Character analysis: Draw a Q on your forehead. If you draw the tail to the right that is how you perceive yourself and what you present to the world, ie you are honest. If you draw it to the left you manipulate people's perceptions, ie you are a good liar.