The Modern Mystic League
MAY 2025
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
This month, we welcomed back Matteo Borrini, Professor of Forensic Anthropology and President of the Mahatma Magic Circle.
As our President Paul commented at the conclusion of the afternoon, Matteo delivered a masterclass in elevating basic conjuring principles, such as ‘Out of this World’, multiple ‘outs’ and the PATEO and cross-cut forces, into stunning magic through the power of story-telling and ‘bizarre’ presentation.
Matteo began by lighting two candles to mark out his tabletop ‘stage’, before revealing a vampire archive of stake, blood, crucifix, ring, mirror and holy water.
The five senses came into play as, to the tinkling of a bell to maintain the required pace, modes of death were attributed to ancient pictures and the magician was able to determine the placing of small mirrors. A small vial of graveyard soil acted as a most convincing crib-sheet.
The four elements of earth, fire, water and air also came into play, to patter about the creation of terracotta – the longest lasting material in the world; while the movements of a vampire through a castle by means of an antique map were accurately charted.
Matteo is adept at creating his own props, and gave tips on how to age paper and other artefacts. One very authentic newspaper cutting spoke of the search for a werewolf among the inhabitants of a remote village by using a silver ‘bullet’. He made the point that established techniques can be refreshed and recycled by adapting them to other stories, instancing the wreck of the Titanic.
As our President Paul commented at the conclusion of the afternoon, Matteo delivered a masterclass in elevating basic conjuring principles, such as ‘Out of this World’, multiple ‘outs’ and the PATEO and cross-cut forces, into stunning magic through the power of story-telling and ‘bizarre’ presentation.
Matteo began by lighting two candles to mark out his tabletop ‘stage’, before revealing a vampire archive of stake, blood, crucifix, ring, mirror and holy water.
The five senses came into play as, to the tinkling of a bell to maintain the required pace, modes of death were attributed to ancient pictures and the magician was able to determine the placing of small mirrors. A small vial of graveyard soil acted as a most convincing crib-sheet.
The four elements of earth, fire, water and air also came into play, to patter about the creation of terracotta – the longest lasting material in the world; while the movements of a vampire through a castle by means of an antique map were accurately charted.
Matteo is adept at creating his own props, and gave tips on how to age paper and other artefacts. One very authentic newspaper cutting spoke of the search for a werewolf among the inhabitants of a remote village by using a silver ‘bullet’. He made the point that established techniques can be refreshed and recycled by adapting them to other stories, instancing the wreck of the Titanic.
STAR LECTURE
with
MATTEO BORRINI
with
MATTEO BORRINI
Matteo talked about the development of many subtleties; for example, getting a helper to hold an object in one hand so that they were not tempted to use it when turning items over with the other – and the use of musty aromas to reinforce the illusion of aging. Flash paper also came into its own.
Matteo is obviously immersed in this specialised area of magic, and cited the influences of Tony Curtis, Corinda, Martin Gardner and Max Maven.
His final item, based upon a Sherlock Holmes scenario and incorporating the concept of Russian roulette devised by arch-villain Moriarty, gave full rein to the improvisation and jazzing which Matteo so enjoys in performance. One of five envelopes, each bearing a symbol approximating to the standard ESP signs, contained the word POISON, and by interpreting the answers to a series of questions he was able to pick it out.
Spirit pictures were touched upon, and we learned that the first photograph to be taken for forensic purposes was that of Mary Jane Kelly, Jack the Ripper’s final victim in1888, truth merging with fiction.
Throughout the afternoon, by example, Matteo left us in no doubt about the power of storytelling in the creation of magic – and we mustn’t forget Carl’s feast of pork pies, cakes and pickle, which wove a magic all of their own.
Brian Lead
Matteo is obviously immersed in this specialised area of magic, and cited the influences of Tony Curtis, Corinda, Martin Gardner and Max Maven.
His final item, based upon a Sherlock Holmes scenario and incorporating the concept of Russian roulette devised by arch-villain Moriarty, gave full rein to the improvisation and jazzing which Matteo so enjoys in performance. One of five envelopes, each bearing a symbol approximating to the standard ESP signs, contained the word POISON, and by interpreting the answers to a series of questions he was able to pick it out.
Spirit pictures were touched upon, and we learned that the first photograph to be taken for forensic purposes was that of Mary Jane Kelly, Jack the Ripper’s final victim in1888, truth merging with fiction.
Throughout the afternoon, by example, Matteo left us in no doubt about the power of storytelling in the creation of magic – and we mustn’t forget Carl’s feast of pork pies, cakes and pickle, which wove a magic all of their own.
Brian Lead