Tim Brough

The concept is simple: videotape a presentation in front of a studio audience, giving thorough and uncomplicated directions, and then transcribe the affair in a book that you can follow along while viewing the DVD in the privacy of your own home. The second volume in the DemLab series is "Flogging: The Basics and Beyond." Mr. Bean is an expert presenter and more than an expert when it comes to flogging. Having already written a book on the topic ("Flogging," published in 2000), standing in front of an audience and a trio of cameramen is an obvious (and for Mr. Bean, casual) progression. His two attractive subjects allow him to demonstrate the fine art of wailing on your friends. The DVD itself is better than an hour in length, and the book is well apportioned with color pictures. In addition to the transcript of the demonstration itself, there are additional notations. Where this DemLab volume really stands out is the DVD presentation. The final 15 minutes during the flogging of Adam show that, when the chemistry is right, even "The Basics" can go farther and into deeper territory that you plan on. Suffice to say that things between Mr. Bean and Adam get intense, and the crowd certainly got more than it came for.