The Modern Mystic League
JULY 2024
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
A more-or-less full complement of members, along with a couple of guests, turned out to welcome Geoffrey Newton to our July meeting.
Geoffrey, of course, is no stranger to the League, having lectured for us on many previous occasions on a range of topics. This time it was another miscellany of simple but effective tricks – including several from Key Ring; the magazine he used to edit for the British Ring.
In fact, Geoffrey began by ‘bringing to life’ a trick he recently contributed to The MeMeL, in his popular Newton’s Notes column. It was Lucky 13 – a prediction which was subsequently further analysed by Allan in his Train of Thought spot.
Travelling Aces, or The Jokers’ Journey, employed the gemini/rainbow principle to locate a holiday destination, while children were catered for with an effect based upon a fisherman routine, created by Ian Adair and illustrated by Geoffrey in Key Ring. Careful instructions were given about the construction of a special envelope which did the deed and resulted in a ‘caught’ punch-line.
Five A Day relied upon some psychologically clever elimination and multiple outs, while the child who had a birthday near Christmas was not left out in Panto Magic. This employed a very cleverly constructed easel prop which produced the effect of a sand frame without any messy sand; using instead part of a rubbish bag. When pulled out from under a cover (rather than the cover being lifted off – a thoughtful subtlety) the resulting picture showed the child’s choice of pantomime character and revealed a personal birthday greeting, just for them. The child could take the whole frame (just £3 from the Range) home with them as a souvenir. A sure way of impressing parents and encouraging repeat bookings!
Geoffrey, of course, is no stranger to the League, having lectured for us on many previous occasions on a range of topics. This time it was another miscellany of simple but effective tricks – including several from Key Ring; the magazine he used to edit for the British Ring.
In fact, Geoffrey began by ‘bringing to life’ a trick he recently contributed to The MeMeL, in his popular Newton’s Notes column. It was Lucky 13 – a prediction which was subsequently further analysed by Allan in his Train of Thought spot.
Travelling Aces, or The Jokers’ Journey, employed the gemini/rainbow principle to locate a holiday destination, while children were catered for with an effect based upon a fisherman routine, created by Ian Adair and illustrated by Geoffrey in Key Ring. Careful instructions were given about the construction of a special envelope which did the deed and resulted in a ‘caught’ punch-line.
Five A Day relied upon some psychologically clever elimination and multiple outs, while the child who had a birthday near Christmas was not left out in Panto Magic. This employed a very cleverly constructed easel prop which produced the effect of a sand frame without any messy sand; using instead part of a rubbish bag. When pulled out from under a cover (rather than the cover being lifted off – a thoughtful subtlety) the resulting picture showed the child’s choice of pantomime character and revealed a personal birthday greeting, just for them. The child could take the whole frame (just £3 from the Range) home with them as a souvenir. A sure way of impressing parents and encouraging repeat bookings!
STAR LECTURE
GEOFFREY NEWTON
GEOFFREY NEWTON
Book tests were included, Geoffrey passing out six copies of his trick compilation and using a cheap and simple switching box to assist in his revelation. Other methods are available. Two slim volumes were also brought into play for a direct but cheeky page force.
As the title suggests, Are You Both Psychic? used two volunteers to arrive at some puzzling matches.
ESP also made an appearance, with a square shape not only being predicted but also being the only choice in that particular colour.
Finally came an attractively presented piece of DIY apparatus, using the word MAGIC (what else?) in a routine which required specially constructed envelopes; a speciality of Geoffrey, and all carefully explained. This was a ‘must’ for the DIY fan.
So . . . a lot of no-nonsense magic fitted into the space of a couple of hours and with a feast of Carl’s pies and pickle in between. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
Roger thanked Geoffrey for his determination to get here in the face of travel disruption, and presented him with a copy of last year’s MeMeL yearbook, in which he features many times.
Brian Lead
As the title suggests, Are You Both Psychic? used two volunteers to arrive at some puzzling matches.
ESP also made an appearance, with a square shape not only being predicted but also being the only choice in that particular colour.
Finally came an attractively presented piece of DIY apparatus, using the word MAGIC (what else?) in a routine which required specially constructed envelopes; a speciality of Geoffrey, and all carefully explained. This was a ‘must’ for the DIY fan.
So . . . a lot of no-nonsense magic fitted into the space of a couple of hours and with a feast of Carl’s pies and pickle in between. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
Roger thanked Geoffrey for his determination to get here in the face of travel disruption, and presented him with a copy of last year’s MeMeL yearbook, in which he features many times.
Brian Lead