It was another great night at the Mystics. Alan Mylecraine told members about the forthcoming charity show at the BPL bar in Blackpool airport. We will be working tables and providing a short cabaret for members with proceeds going to the North West Air Ambulance. Next month we will be holding our annual Close-up competition and posters had been produced advertising the event so that a good sized lay audience might be with us. Steve Eastham reported that one of our most respected members. Ken Ashburn was in poor health and everyone signed a card to wish him a speedy recovery.

Paul Joyce who is performing in the Children’s Show at the Northern Magic Circle Convention performed a short item in order that members could give feedback on the effect. Paul was undecided about its use but several good ideas were discussed and Paul was encouraged to include it.

Alan Mylecraine then introduced Brian Sefton, well known to many of us in the society and as well as being one of the UK’s foremost manipulators he is also a quiet, self deprecating and unassuming man. That said, what developed next was absolutely astounding. Brian performed his award winning manipulation act which has clearly been honed to perfection over many years. Perfection it was too, with flawless productions of silks, effortless card fans, a very clever thimble routine, a mesmerising billiard ball manipulation and a variety of appearing, vanishing and transforming canes.

Brian then carefully reset his act while explaining in great detail, how the effects worked and how they were loaded for performance. The attention to detail was phenomenal, no doubt as a result of countless performances, each aspect of the load, steal and routine, perfectly balanced with the music. Brian explained the logical thinking which has gone into the careful planning and strategic placing of each load. It is evident why it takes so long for a manipulation act to be born. He also discussed the music side, which was given as much thought as the effects themselves. It was interesting to hear that a number of his props are no longer manufactured so he faces a constant search for any that may pop up at auction. Brian then went through the performance again so that we could follow it and even when you knew what was going to happen next it was just as astounding. He explained that it took him three years of dedicated practice, altering the load location by a few millimetres a time until it all just flowed. The second half of the lecture saw Brian explaining his thinking behind a number of effects, this included one of the best ‘Vernon’ ball and cone routine with many added subtleties I have ever witnessed. There were explanations on how to make various load holders and demonstrations of how these varied from those purchased from dealers etc. The evening finished with Brian’s presentation of the zombie ball, which is a piece of pure magic in itself. There were a number of displays which served to obscure the mechanics, once more defeating the trained eyes of the audience. It was agreed that the lecture was amongst the best we have seen at the Mystics and while many of us would find the work needed to produce such a fine display of manipulation rather daunting, we were unanimous in our appreciation of a true master of this particular art. Highly recommended, if you get the opportunity to see Brian lecture, it is one not to be missed. Photos HERE.

With 13 members in attendance, Alan Mylecraine opened with a few notices and a discussion on an opportunity to move meetings to another venue. The members agreed that the suggestion was worth pursuing and Steve Eastham was to make further enquiries. To get the evenings magic underway, Alan introduced new member Stuart Bagot (Baggy to his friends!) who ran through a number of impromptu card tricks with a shuffled deck. Baggy started with a Four Ace production and proceeded through a number of clever tricks with predictions and matching pairs being found along the way. There was a feeling that he could have continued all evening, but keen to let everyone else have a turn, Alan M called his audition to a close and opened the meeting to the rest of the members. This was to be A NIGHT WITHOUT CARDS! and it was not without significance that Ken Ashburn stepped up to the plate and delivered a stunning opener with a cap in bottle effect. Paul Davis slid onto the stage with an excerpt from one of his kids routines centred around a rabbit in a hat and a sweeties to silk effect. Alan M showed a clever Tenyo item called the Crystal Pyramid where a coin was transported into the pyramid under cover of a handkerchief. Paul Joyce showed a nice disappearing tumbler effect with a sucker finish and was followed by his son Jonathan Joyce who demonstrated a nice multi- coin penetration. Ron Wilson was again full of DIY magic showing us a nice paddle item and a variation on ‘Block Off’ he had constructed. Jack Clarke then went mental with a correctly divined prediction with three coins. Allan Clarke ran through another ‘mental’ item centred on reality and perception where the colour of a freely chosen pen was correctly determined. Mel Wilson then demonstrated his grasp of the Chinese Sticks with a nice change in patter which he then followed with a deft T&R newspaper effect. Steve Eastham performed a Wayne Dobson effect called ‘No Chance’ where two spectators freely choose an envelope each leaving the Magi with the only one containing real money. George Jennings was practicing a kids routine using a block that would stop on a rope at any pre determined position. Next up was Kelly Ann Chester who for her first meeting performed another multi coin penetration effect. Alan Chester, Kelly’s dad took to the stage and showed another Tenyo item where a heart and oval shaped cases containing coloured balls magically transposed. Baggy came back to the front and ran through a nice paper cutting effect with a kicker finish. Ken Ashburn presented his second effect which was another clever idea from Collectors Workshop using a pocket watch which was magically restored from a jumble of bits initially shown. Paul Davis then previewed a Square Circle routine from a Christmas Kids show while Alan M gave us a nice ‘Uncanny Silks’ routine. Paul Joyce made some coloured ropes magically join together while Jonathan made a ball in an egg cup disappear. Ron then showed us an Xmas version of the Chinese sticks, again made by his own fair hand. Jack Clarke followed this with a funny C&R rope routine while dad Allan performed a ‘Houdini’s Grandmother’ effect from an Abra magazine. Steve Eastham demonstrated another Wayne Dobson effect using some Chinese coins and American quarters which magically change places in the spectators hands. George Jennings closed another great evenings entertainment with a quiz routine heavily weighted in favour of a home made change bag. With so many members wanting to perform we are going to have to extend the 2 hour session to cope, maybe our new venue will give us more scope. Keep watching this space for details. Pictures HERE.

It’s hard to imagine that the thriving club that is the Fylde Mystics have come so far in just 12 months. Last Tuesday night was the first anniversary of the reformation of the society and was celebrated in style with a special ‘birthday’ cake provided by Alan Mylecraine. Whilst we have no formal committee, we thought it prudent to have a ‘mini AGM’ to receive the accounts from Steve Eastham who has kept our finances on track for the last year. All was found to be in order and the accounts were adopted. Next was an audition from the society’s newest (and youngest) member, Jonathan Joyce. This very confident ten year old had clearly put in a lot of practice in a perfect delivery of the ‘cups and balls’ routine, varied on the way by a neat production of the balls needed from a drawer box. Jonathans entry marks the 18^th member to join the society thus far. Having celebrated the event, the evening was given over to Mark James who was delivering his first ‘professional’ lecture. Mark has been a resident performer at Manchester United for a number of years as well as being a successful children’s entertainer and former demonstrator with JB Magic. Mark was promoting his latest DVD packed with commercial effects and getting rave reviews in the magic press. ‘Supercharged’ Vol. 2 follows on from the successful release of his first DVD last year. Mark opened with a slick chop cup routine straight from his table hopping repertoire. His comedy presentation, with a couple of twists was explained in all it’s subtle detail and sprinkled with anecdotes of those ‘bad nights’ we all get. Next was ‘card under cup’ again with plenty of attention being paid to the off beat moments that are key to this powerful effect. Mark explained a number of out’s he uses as well as a ‘performers eye view’ of his palming techniques. From here he went on to his variation on the ‘Ambitious Card’ routine. There is plenty here to keep the lay spectator puzzled including a nice card to pocket segment and an ‘Omni deck’ finish. Marks misdirection, clearly gained over many years was masterful to watch. After a brief interval, Mark continued with a few of his cabaret style effects. A great favourite with audiences, Mark ran through a very funny ‘Mental Epic’ style ‘Mind Reading Orange’ routine with a clever ‘card in fruit’ closer. Next was a well thought out book test with some interesting variations that made use of previous effects. This was followed by a fairly standard sponge ball routine livened up with some nice vanishes. The second half was closed with Mark’s ‘Quadropener’ routine based on ‘fine print’ by Jay Sankey and encompassing a very nice colour changing deck and diminishing card switch. A few stories of his exploits brought a very funny and entertaining evening to a close. Judging by the comments from the audience, I’m sure Mark will be pleased with his first outing as a lecturer. Pictures can be found HERE

A veritable 'coach party' had arrived to sample the delights of a huge 'Jacob's Join' buffet and some first class entertainment. Five intrepid members of the MML had volunteered to join us in Cleveleys and provide the entertainment for what turned out to be a riot of magic and humour. After a couple of 'parish' notices from Alan Mylecraine, the show got underway. Brian Lead, the Leagues concert secretary and strolling Compere, got the audience warmed up with the help of Baskerville the hound. It transpired that Baskervile could speak and not only that, speak in foreign tongue. After a host of corny gags, Brian introduced the first act, Roger Woods, chairman of the League who mesmerised everyone with a special deck of cards all of which had differing back designs. With an uncanny choice, Roger guided a spectator into discovering the only two cards that were identical. Roger then demonstrated an escape trick based on his hero, 'Houdini' who once again managed to free himself of the handuffs, even thought they were only finger sized. From here, Roger armed himself with a regular deck and had the specator discover a chosen card using a 'lie detector' routine. From here the deck was used in a clever diary trick where the spectator managed to find the very card selected from a special day in the diary. Roger closed a very tight set with his trademark Chop Cup routine with a very fruity ending. Brian Lead returned with more laughter as he demonstrated the centuries old 'Indian Rope Trick' and tried his hand at mentalism courtesy of a predicted word and an animal which need to 'look round'. Next act was Past President Ron Baron who was introduced as for better or 'verse' due to the rhyming patter that accompanied his act.  Ron opened with a cautionary tale of his schooldays illustrated with a ring and rope to great effect. Next he told a tale of cowboy builders and a chimney that needed a 'Block Off'. Pulling out a piece of rope and a spectator, Ron bewildered the audience with a linking scissor routine culminating in the spectator becoming a real 'star'. At the break, the audience were treated to a sumptuous buffet assembled in a blink by the members of the Fylde Mystics. Opening the second half, Brian Lead checked that the magic was present before bringing on Paul Guy who at first wasn't sure which society he was supposed to be entertaining. All was put right with the help of a few alphabet cards correctly assembled unseen by a spectator.  Paul then had the audience in fits with a variety of sight gags from 'Spot On', a sponge ball and silk routine which produced presents from an otherwise empty bag and a very funny rope segment where the spectators eventually managed to 'repair' a cut rope. Brian reappeared, this time with a monkey who had everyone in stitches with his antics. The final act was introduced as 'Donald the Average'. The irrepressible Donald Monk who decided he would show the audience how one of his tricks worked. A piece of tissue paper was torn and restored to demonstrate the trick. Afterwards Donald ran through the trick again, only to bamboozle the audience by restoring the final torn pieces again. Donald moved on to a very funny faulty follower' routine, completely fooling his assistant, even when all the moves were made by him. Next Donald introduced a couple of slates and with the aid of one of the audience, managed to demonstrate how freely drawn symbols could be magically transferred between the slates. Don finished by introducing a new book he had written, 'Slim with Donald'. This funny limerick brought a great evenings entertainment to a humerous close and no doubt had eveyrone laughing all the way home. The MML had set a very high standard and our challenge was to equal this on a reciprocal visit to Blackburn next year. It's not going to be easy! Pictures can be found HERE.

The Fylde Mystics got competitive last night when 8 members threw down the gauntlet to find out who would reign supreme in the first ever re-formed Mystics Close-Up competition. A large crowd had gathered to witness the event, some old friends and some new faces who’s curiosity about the Mystics may have got the better of them. Steve Eastham acted as host for the evening and got the proceedings underway by outlining the running order and how the judging would work. We were pleased to have three magical judges on hand, Paul Guy and Donald Monk from the Modern Mystic League and Richard Blackie who is the current editor of the club magazine for the Order of the Magi in Manchester. Ron Baron was also on hand to present the awards.

Paul Davis AKA ‘Chubbz’ drew first out and had the difficult task of warming up the audience. Paul opened with ‘Jam Jar coins’, ‘twins’ and Nicholas Paul’s ‘13’. Paul was followed by our youngest member Jack Clarke who only turned 14 last week. Jack opened with Lewis Ganson’s ‘Tiny Trio’, a close up linking ring routine, a nice version of a Cut & Restored rope, the ‘Sidewalk Shuffle’ and closed with a classic Cups and Balls routine. Alan Mylecraine hit the ground running with a load of gags and a ‘Cell out’ opener, swiftly moving onto a diary trick combo. His closing Chinese coin matrix was perfect. Allan Clarke opened with some classic ‘Ring & Rope’ through to a mentalism item called ‘X’ marks the card, an ESP card effect using a couple of spectators and closed his set with a ‘memory deck’ card routine. Ken Ashburn engaged a couple of spectators and opened with a card to money effect before going on to a wide ranging card trick set comprising "Pimpin", ‘White Trash’, ‘Back to Earth’ and ‘Lazer Aces’ along with his trademark ‘Poppit’ bead routine. George Jennings dry humour supplemented a patter set with a ‘Phil’ type named card effect and another nice ‘Diary’ effect. Paul Joyce set the scene for a closing mentalism effect before working a reversed card revelation, a matching card routine using Tarot cards and a very funny credit card transpo. Paul closed by correctly ‘reading’ the selected card from the beginning of his set. Ron Wilson drew the last spot but first showed us a small ‘automaton’ he had made some years ago, it showed of his woodworking skills and attention to detail. Ron went on to perform some very funny sight gags with hand made props notably a clever ‘propeller’ effect and a nice ‘This, That and the Other’ card routine.

After some no doubt difficult judging and collating of marks, Steve Eastham announced the award winners as Ron Baron congratulated everyone on a good nights entertainment and handed out the trophies. It was another magic packed evening which everyone seemed to enjoy. Pictures are HERE.

    The Fylde Mystics welcomed not one but two new members through its doors this month. Ron Wilson who had popped in to see us last meeting and Joe Gilmour who had been invited along by Steve Eastham earlier. It’s reassuring that the performance of magic is still highly regarded by the members. Alan Myclraine outlined plans for the forthcoming auction and confirmed the Shawn Farquhar lecture in May. The planned competition for April will be limited in the first instance to Close-up work. After a couple of parish notices Alan handed over to Allan Clarke for the first of the two workshops. Ring and Rope routines have been popular with magicians and laypeople alike so Allan ran through the routine he had put together for his Magic Circle audition last year and went on to explain some of the moves and the thinking behind them. Starting with a classic ‘hunters bowline’, ‘threading the needle’ and onto a number of on and off rope moves attributed to a variety of magicians including Vernon, Darryl, Tony Griffiths and others. Brian Taylor then took to the floor and in true Blue Peter style had packets of papers, tapes and glue for all the members to have a go at the classic Torn & restored newspaper routine. Brian performed the effect first and then went on to explain in detail not only how to make the props but also the subtleties in his own particular presentation. Great fun was had by all as reams of paper and glue flew in all directions culminating in a synchronised Tear and Restore by all present. A great spectacle unfortunately not captured on camera. The fun continued as members then performed the usual round of effects. Joe Haslem demonstrated his card following skills, correctly identifying a thought of card in a matrix fashion. New member Ron Wilson, gave an impromptu display of a number of effects using objects from his pocket. A nice selection of Coin effects, rubber bands, Safety pins and string. Jack Clarke came up with a prediction effect where the selected card was found to be one of a number of cards on his prediction. Applying a little heat then revealed the true selection as the others vanished. Allan Clarke demonstrated a poker effect where the choice of hands was entirely with the spectator who promptly loses. Jared Stoker went into a nice Egyptian prediction using Tarot cards and an Ankh mirror to foretell a chosen card. Paul Davis demonstrated an impromptu prediction using a shuffled deck where the spectator selects two cards that are shown to match the two predictions. Joe Gilmour had a slick routine combining a diary trick with a very clean selection of a card which proved to match a card displayed in the diary. In a night of predictions Steve Eastham had not one but three predictions as the spectator managed to choose a card that matched the three on the table. George Jennings tiptoed through a nice bit of patter with a card effect originally marketed as ‘Escort Cards'. Alan Mylecraine closed another great night with a very clever coin and card matrix where cards then coins vanished and re-appeared building to a giant coin production at the climax. Photo's as always HERE.

    The January meeting proved to be a puzzling time for the Fylde Mystics. Not the usual, ‘why are we here’ or ‘what’s it all about’? More along the lines of ‘who is credited with inventing ‘Mental Epic’’? or who’s real name was David Wighton? The new year quiz, developed my Brian Taylor was a real brain teaser. After the usual parish notices from Alan Mylecraine and a short video of Jared Stoker performing Cliff Lount's "This is the Queen", the quiz began. Sixty questions ranging from sublime to ridiculous split into several categories. There was a section on Magic Posters another section focussed on negative images of well known magicians while another featured Magic Book authors. There was a great deal of ‘Oh I know this one… now what was his name’? After the answers were revealed, the winners received grand prizes, generously donated by Alan Mylecraine and Brian Taylor. Top of the list was George Jennings with 35, closely followed by Steve Eastham with 34 and in 3^rd place (with a bit of help from his dad), was Jack Clarke. Booby prize went to Joe Haslem, our new Junior for his valiant attempt. The rest of the meeting was spent performing magic. We welcomed a prospective new member Ron Wilson who offered up a nice version of ‘Dots Impossible’. Steve Eastham spent a few minutes with a dual prediction effect called Nomen Omen. Alan M followed this with a short routine based on Bill Thompsons diary trick, which started out by changing the colour of the deck then having had a diary date selected, proceeded to find the predicted card at a freely named number. Joe Haslem then showed everyone his latest effect, the classic ‘Cards Across’. Allan Clarke then demonstrated a prediction effect using a set of dominoes to determine the final two digits identified in a prediction. Paul Davis then ran through a nice routine with a packet of sweets and a few silks. The sweets vanished from a tube and were replaced by a chosen silk. The sweets were then found in the silk bag. A nice routine that should play well. George Jennings had us in stitches again with a ‘blind date’ routine, successfully identifying the name of Brian T’s blind date. Jack Clarke demonstrated a nice ‘Egyptian’ effect using 3 mummies and a wooden sarcophagus. The freely chosen mummy was correctly identified by Jack. Brian Taylor closed the evening’s performance with another Alan Warner item, a transposition effect called Pharoe's Curse. Well, 2009 had opened with another good nights entertainment flashing by in no time at all. Workshops next month by Allan Clarke and Brian Taylor. Pictures as ever HERE.