Bizarre Magick UK Archive
Doomsday Gathering 2010 Review
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The Bizarre Magick UK 2010 Doomsday Gathering was organised by Roni and Laraine Shachnaey, and took place at Sneaton Castle in Whitby (where, from the shipwrecked Demeter Dracula emerged to prey on England) a fantastic location for a Bizarre event!
The event sold-out within two weeks of being promoted online last year – and we were not disappointed …
The informal Friday evening had an introduction of thanks by Roni and he was followed by Michael Diamond with wonderfully haunting music and his ‘performance-stration’ of effects from his Book of Shadows and Locked Book of Secrets. Anthony Jacquin followed with a ‘bizarre hypnosis’ routine; an intriguing mentalism effect involving the audience and cleverly incorporating his trait speciality - hypnosis. The final performance of the evening was by Paul Voodini, who from the ‘shut-eye community’ provides traditional psychic entertainment with the use of minimum gimmicks. Very entertaining, his séance sequence with spirit of the glass was ‘violently’ successful!. A very enjoyable relaxed evening.
Michael Diamond was the MC for the main Gathering on Saturday.
Frank Allen, in his guise as Alain the Storyteller performed the opening ceremony. Alain created a theatrical atmosphere with careful prose, a sword and smoke effects. Further effects followed that included a self lighting candle and production of coins from the flame that were still alight when moved away, as though having been forged in the flame. A wine glass was emptied, then filled with smoke, later jumping off the table. Riveting presentations from his new Ferryman DVD’s – and setting the bar high for the rest of the day!
Next up was Roger Curzon and (his secret gem) lecture of the convention. He covered effects and ideas from his Pentalism and Sublimations creations, also some practical table top magic and mentalism with business cards. Some bizarre presentations followed which were just as interesting, easy to understand and well explained. His Coinomancy and Uncle Isaac’s Numerological predictions were note worthy (or was it Uncle Albert he could never make up his mind throughout the routine, which was quite amusing) Roger also must have shares in Office World as he had so many different pens for different routines, It became a running joke.
After lunch, to lighten the mood we had a performance by Brian Maxwell, what can I say... it was the funniest thing I have seen for a while. Very tongue in cheek bizarre routines with props and a ‘puppet’ he had obviously made himself. He came on and nearly fell off the stage backwards which had us all on the edge of our seats. Brian cleverly adapted a rope through body effect with a phantom of the opera premise, a levitating table séance and a funny twist on a ‘coins for the ferryman’ premise. Brian Maxwell is a very unique act, and in the words of our Michael Diamond “An Enigma”!
Frank Allen again returned to provide us with a lecture of remarkable coin and card work with a bizarre premise – right out of his Ferryman DVD’s. A highly recommended professional performer.
Following an interval, Jon Randall briefly took to the stage to announce that he would be launching a forum to complement the Bizarre Magick UK website.
Next up was (Dr) Steve Murray, with very cleverly conceived ideas, as well as some beautiful artefacts as props to illustrate his story telling. Opening with the simplicity of a levitating feather to enhance a story, his subsequent effects were typical of his brilliant Seven Shades book. One presentation involved an aged spirit cabinet with spirit bell and musket ball, used as part of a séance. He opened another routine about a witch hunt using hypnotic suggestion and subsequent series of predictions to narrow it down to one person. Each story cleverly linked through a series of effects – and with so many diversions he held the audience captivated throughout.
Finally Leslie Melville graced the event, performing as the dapper Gothic storyteller William Warlock – adorned in a Victorian garb, a long coat, top hat and cane and much other attention to detail. He presented an excerpt from his latest stage show (which he will be presenting at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool on the 30th and 31st of October this year.) Leslie is a story teller – with magic of coincidence. (His book “Magictales” is highly recommended). To end the convention Leslie performed a new routine based on finding Jack the Rippers murderer via female intuition. Displaying a large old police incident board he involving the females in the audience to randomly select photographs of victims pasted onto card. When turned around they spelled out the name of the killer. Leslie also performed a wonderful routine about his Aunt Edith and her 13th glass that she used to contact the spirits. Once again a beautiful prop even the box he kept it in was very apt. He performed a spirit glass routine in which the glass hung from a rod on a thread and would chime when the spirits answered. Leslie ended on a very funny light hearted story of the lady with big Red lips and long black nails …… only by seeing Leslie will you understand how captivating his ‘tales’ are …..
The day was closed by Alain, again as theatrical as the opening affair – bidding us reflection, grace and blessings for our onward journey. A very enjoyable Gathering.
A final closing speech by Roni revealed that Doomsday 2011 will be held at the same place for 3 days on May 27th, 28th, 29th. For tickets and more information please contact Roni@bizarremagickuk.com
Dealers who attended were Aquarius magic who were selling all kinds of bizarre and mentalism effects. Dan Baines of Lebanon Circle Magic also held a stand, promoting new and old bizarre effects and some truly amazing props – all individually hand made. Dan also makes special one off commissions, his website is www.lebanoncircle.co.uk. All other lecturers/performers from the day had various notes and items for sale.
Review courtesy of Andrea Wilson . Mystery Magazine.
[Edited by Steve Drury]
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