talkmagic.co.uk

Includes:

Issue 5 includes:
BLOOD TEST: An incredible routine from Dutch bizarrist Vincent which would appeal to the vampires amongst you...
REVIEWS: This issue Raven's effect 'The Oracle' and Paul Voodini's e-books come under the spotlight.
GHOST IN THE MACHINE: Lebanon Circle's legendary spooky device is presented in full with complete instructions in how to contruct your very own Ghost In The Machine. Worth the price of the magazine many times over!
RESISTA'S LIQUID LEGACY: A superb effect from new contributor Mark Thorold
PAUL PRATER returns with some great advice on routining.
INTERVIEW: John Thompson of UK electronic wizards Subversive Circuits is subjected to an MM grilling!
PAULO PRIEST AND SCIENTIST:A wonderful routine from bizarre legend RONI SHACHNAEY
THE WIZARD OF GORE: A fascinating essay on the dark stuff from Madelon Hoedt
THE CHOSEN TABLE: A stage routine from Freddie Valentine

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A quick summary:

Top notch issue.

Blood test gives an excellent theme for a psychometry test. Dan's plans for ghost in the machine are worth the cost of the magazine alone. I had the plans already from the compendium. It's made for a good project building it. I had little experience with making anything of that nature when I built mine and still found it very simple to make. The two reviews of Raven's oracle and Paul Voddini's books are fair in my opinion. Mark Thorold offers a nice method for a light/heavy glass. Paul Prater discusses the creative process for making a routine with a pendulum. A fascinating read that I've found helpful as I'm in the process of developing a new routine. The interview with John Thompson was interesting, while I've known him through his posts on forums for a good while I didn't actually now much about his background. I think I may well be ordering a thumper from him when my next pay comes in. Roni's routine for Paulo and the Priest is an excellent combination of two effects. I saw Roni perform this about two years ago and it has remained one of my favourite performances of a number square. Madelon's article rounds off the article nicely discussing a number of points of the darker craft of magic. The value of the material in here is worth more than the asking price, excellent issue.

Another wonderful issue. Well done guys.

Another fantastic issue, well done chaps!

Thanks for the kind words, chaps.
We are really pleased with this issue and it's been our most successful one yet. Thankfully we have a shedload of great things lined up for the next few issues, so the Mystic Menageries second year is going to be a more exiting one than the first!

It's a great publication!

Another amazing issue, I really enjoyed this one. Ghost in the Machine is by far the stand out piece in the issue. As soon as I read that piece, my head started coming up with ideas for my own spirit in the machine. I've already started getting myself some bits together to make my own and am really looking forward to trying this out. Well done Freddie and everyone involved for your great work.

Thank you! I am pleased this issue is being enjoyed, I feel it's one of our best yet.
There will be a second Ghost In The Machine article in the next issue with further ideas from Dan which will be well worth reading.

The great thing about putting MM together is we often get some really crazy "out there" ideas sent to us and some of these will be popping up in issues from time to time.

We have some GREAT stuff coming up in issue 6 including a great piece from Paul Voodini, more great routine from Vincent and Mark Thorold, my review of the Speed Trance DVD and tons more...

This is the only thread I can find on this publication, its pretty damn shee tot isn't it? The latest issue number 8 is excellent, love the bit about the dolls, truly haunting magic.

Its full of inspiring routines, cant wait to read more.

All the Mystic Menageries have been excellent, both in terms of quality and value for money but each issue tops the previous one, thus defying all known laws of the universe! The Christmas issue is a superb publication full of extremely useful stuff. Don't miss out, go get a copy sharpish!!

I'm planning to buy this issue come payday.

As a side note, the website throws up 3 C++ error alerts with every page accessed in Firefox. Considering Internet Explorer has only a small proportion of the e-commerce market these days, this isn't good. I do web dev for an e-commerce firm and highly recommend making it friendly to Firefox and especially Chrome (winning people over by a long way) so that you make the most out of your venture.

These are always very very good, I've just been skimming through the Christmas edition and it's looking as great as always