The Modern Mystic League
JANUARY 24th 2026
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
The MML Showteam were out in force a couple of weeks ago presenting magic to our good friends at Chorley Bowling Cub. It has been a long-standing engagement for us, and it was a poignant return given that Ron Baron, who originally organised the shows at Chorley, is no longer with us. No doubt he was watching over us to make sure we ‘did him proud’.
It was a big turnout with seven tables, so our performers, Roger Woods, Paul Guy, Allan Clarke, Carl Pearson, Craig Docherty, Donald Monk, Brian Berry, Richard Blackie supported by Martin Seed and Francesca Docherty were kept busy for over two hours. Unfortunately, our resident compere, Brian Lead, was feeling under the weather, so could not be with us for our first show in over 18 months.
The sixty strong audience were very receptive, especially since this was our 14th visit to them! Some good-natured interactions and plenty of laughs powered us through the evening. Many of our performers presented what might be called ‘act as known’, but given the range of effects and the variety of performing styles it was hard to call it the ‘usual stuff’.
Some new(ish) performers tried their hands in this very welcoming environment, including Craig and Carl, now adding his mentalism to our menu of offerings. Martin kept us on time as well as ’having a go’ at one of the tables, and Francesca had tagged along to see how things ran and to grab a few photos of the action.
It was a big turnout with seven tables, so our performers, Roger Woods, Paul Guy, Allan Clarke, Carl Pearson, Craig Docherty, Donald Monk, Brian Berry, Richard Blackie supported by Martin Seed and Francesca Docherty were kept busy for over two hours. Unfortunately, our resident compere, Brian Lead, was feeling under the weather, so could not be with us for our first show in over 18 months.
The sixty strong audience were very receptive, especially since this was our 14th visit to them! Some good-natured interactions and plenty of laughs powered us through the evening. Many of our performers presented what might be called ‘act as known’, but given the range of effects and the variety of performing styles it was hard to call it the ‘usual stuff’.
Some new(ish) performers tried their hands in this very welcoming environment, including Craig and Carl, now adding his mentalism to our menu of offerings. Martin kept us on time as well as ’having a go’ at one of the tables, and Francesca had tagged along to see how things ran and to grab a few photos of the action.
CHORLEY BOWLING CLUB SHOW
There was plenty of action, too; with cups and balls and poppit beads on show, a raft of ESP themed effects, coins, cards, mentalism, predictions and a ferret-powered illusion, there definitely something for everyone.
With seven tables and eight performers, some were able to take a break to re-charge and enjoy some of the performances.
We started at 7pm, and with a five-minute break between acts kept the audience well engaged for a good two hours of magic. Each table got ten minutes from each of the team, and by the end would have seen all eight performers, give or take. With such a good crowd it was hard not to overrun the slot, but it worked out in the end as it always does.
Christine, who organised the event, has been a strong supporter of the MML and has got the organising off to a tee, providing a great supper for us at the end.
All in all, a great night of magic with a very appreciative audience, . . . and the MML added some much-needed income for our finances.
Allan Clarke
With seven tables and eight performers, some were able to take a break to re-charge and enjoy some of the performances.
We started at 7pm, and with a five-minute break between acts kept the audience well engaged for a good two hours of magic. Each table got ten minutes from each of the team, and by the end would have seen all eight performers, give or take. With such a good crowd it was hard not to overrun the slot, but it worked out in the end as it always does.
Christine, who organised the event, has been a strong supporter of the MML and has got the organising off to a tee, providing a great supper for us at the end.
All in all, a great night of magic with a very appreciative audience, . . . and the MML added some much-needed income for our finances.
Allan Clarke
