The Modern Mystic League
SEPTEMBER 2025
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
Although a number of our regular members were unfortunately unable to attend this month, an enthusiastic group assembled for the eagerly awaited visit of Vinny Sagoo, Proprietor of Neo Magic and all-round nice guy.
Vinny began by telling us a little about his background, influenced by Roy Walton and visits to Tam Shepherds in Glasgow. Reassessing his life as a solicitor following a car crash, he retired from the law and turned to his passion of magic, founding Neo Magic in 2017.
Throughout the afternoon, Vinny presented a wide range of his original items, all of which are well produced and very practical to use. He has a great interest in mathematical magic, so began with ‘Quadratic’ – an amusing effect based on random numbers given by the audience and ending up with the birth dates of both himself and his wife. The book Mind The Maths Magic, of which Vinny is justifiably proud, has been used in schools and his been very influential in helping children to learn maths. Written during the Covid lockdown, it features 45 tricks, 12 video links and 6 pdfs.
‘Perfect Match’ uses large matches and two sets of cards, with two spectators creating matching choices.
‘Turkish Delight’ is a close-up ‘sandwich’ effect using two queens, which can also be used in stand-up. It can be found in Vinny’s book Beyond Limits.
In ‘Buzz’, the spectator cuts the deck into three piles, but the chosen card is still found.
‘Spin It’ is a badge which reads ‘Magician’, but when rotated reads ‘Ace of Spades’, which is an amusing revelation after forcing that card.
Vinny began by telling us a little about his background, influenced by Roy Walton and visits to Tam Shepherds in Glasgow. Reassessing his life as a solicitor following a car crash, he retired from the law and turned to his passion of magic, founding Neo Magic in 2017.
Throughout the afternoon, Vinny presented a wide range of his original items, all of which are well produced and very practical to use. He has a great interest in mathematical magic, so began with ‘Quadratic’ – an amusing effect based on random numbers given by the audience and ending up with the birth dates of both himself and his wife. The book Mind The Maths Magic, of which Vinny is justifiably proud, has been used in schools and his been very influential in helping children to learn maths. Written during the Covid lockdown, it features 45 tricks, 12 video links and 6 pdfs.
‘Perfect Match’ uses large matches and two sets of cards, with two spectators creating matching choices.
‘Turkish Delight’ is a close-up ‘sandwich’ effect using two queens, which can also be used in stand-up. It can be found in Vinny’s book Beyond Limits.
In ‘Buzz’, the spectator cuts the deck into three piles, but the chosen card is still found.
‘Spin It’ is a badge which reads ‘Magician’, but when rotated reads ‘Ace of Spades’, which is an amusing revelation after forcing that card.
STAR LECTURE
VINNY SAGOO
VINNY SAGOO
‘Mind Waves’ and ‘Scrabble Snap’ are two beautifully produced packs of cards – one employing symbols and the other apparently drawn by a child of eight! These features add an intriguing new dimension to revelation effects.
By special request, in the second part of the afternoon Vinny demonstrated and explained half a dozen Tenyo effects from his extensive collection, all agreeing that the ingenious methods were as entertaining as the tricks themselves.
‘Invisible Zone’, making part of a pen invisible when pushed through a frame, was of particular interest as it had changed hands at our last auction, and Donald was inspired to give it a new lease of life following this presentation.
‘Oh no!’ was the visible severing of a finger using a strategically placed mirror, while ‘Zone Infinity’ was a penetration effect using a key and a coin, one passing through the other in a frame. A similar modus operandi was used in ‘Mr Danger’, in which the plastic figure of a man was penetrated by a series of swords.
‘Crystal Pyramid’ was perhaps the most ingenious of all, allowing a coin to be transferred into a box under the protection of a transparent pyramid, while ‘4D Surprise’ recreated the appearance, rather than disappearance, of a miniature Statue of Liberty.
As Paul mentioned in his closing remark, this had been a wonderful afternoon with something for everyone, enhanced by the warmth and charming personality of Vinny Sagoo.
Brian Lead
By special request, in the second part of the afternoon Vinny demonstrated and explained half a dozen Tenyo effects from his extensive collection, all agreeing that the ingenious methods were as entertaining as the tricks themselves.
‘Invisible Zone’, making part of a pen invisible when pushed through a frame, was of particular interest as it had changed hands at our last auction, and Donald was inspired to give it a new lease of life following this presentation.
‘Oh no!’ was the visible severing of a finger using a strategically placed mirror, while ‘Zone Infinity’ was a penetration effect using a key and a coin, one passing through the other in a frame. A similar modus operandi was used in ‘Mr Danger’, in which the plastic figure of a man was penetrated by a series of swords.
‘Crystal Pyramid’ was perhaps the most ingenious of all, allowing a coin to be transferred into a box under the protection of a transparent pyramid, while ‘4D Surprise’ recreated the appearance, rather than disappearance, of a miniature Statue of Liberty.
As Paul mentioned in his closing remark, this had been a wonderful afternoon with something for everyone, enhanced by the warmth and charming personality of Vinny Sagoo.
Brian Lead