In the late nineteenth century, London’s Golden Age of Magic emerged, transforming magicians into celebrated entertainers. Figures like Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and John Nevil Maskelyne utilized technology and theatrical techniques to captivate audiences. The rise of Spiritualism also inspired magicians, fostering a collision between entertainment and belief. Magic became a respected art form, paving the way for its future.
Category: Art
The Night London Rioted Over a Man in a Bottle
In January 1749, Londoners packed the Haymarket to witness an apparently impossible feat: a man climbing into an ordinary wine bottle. The performer never appeared. The audience did, however – and when they realised the trick had already been played on them, things got spectacularly out of hand.
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“The Haunting of Widow’s Leap Farm”
A Review of the Premiere of Joe O’Byrne’s new play; “The Haunting of Widow’s Leap Farm. A Tale from Paradise Heights”
Burnley Mechanic’s Theatre 26/07/26 7:30pm.
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Review – ‘Rank – A Tale from Paradise Heights’
Take a ride tonight with the Dogz of Paradise Heights
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The Audience of The Dead – Kirst D’Raven
In a stormy Buxton, a folklorist encounters an elderly gentleman who recounts the tragic tale of John Kane, a celebrated comedian who died from accidental poisoning after a performance in 1799. Kane’s grave faces the audience in St Anne’s Churchyard, symbolizing his enduring legacy amidst local folklore and memory.
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Anthony Head (1954–2026) – A Watcher Leaves the Library
There are some actors who become famous. There are others who become familiar. Anthony Head belonged to that rarer category still. He became trusted.
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I’m Frank Morgan: RewiRED – A Review
Review of “I’m Frank Morgan: RewiRED” by Joe O’Byrne.
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Strawberry Jack – Review
A review of the play “Strawberry Jack” by Joe O’Byrne. Buxton Pavilion Arts centre, Buxton 22nd June 2025.
‘The Crow’ – A Love Letter to Loss and Revenge
“The Crow” is a film that somehow transcends cinema. It speaks to anyone who has ever lost someone, who has ever yearned for justice, who has ever wished for a chance to set things right. It’s a story of love and loss, vengeance and redemption…
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Rune Lore.
Rune lore explores the ancient alphabets used by Germanic peoples, with symbols carrying wealth, strength, and wisdom – So, runes: not just ancient letters, huh?
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Australian Folklore.
Australia, with its vast landscapes and ancient Aboriginal heritage, is home to a rich tapestry of folklore that weaves together Indigenous Dreamtime stories, colonial history, […]
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From Teen Spirit to Tragedy: The Life and Legacy of Kurt Cobain.
Kurt Cobain, iconic frontman of Nirvana, left a mark on music before his tragic death in 1994. He faced personal struggles and fame’s pressures. The debate over his death, ruled a suicide, persists due to conspiracy theories and a documentary challenging the official investigation.
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Religion’s obsession with Relics
Why do millions of religious people travel around the world every year, to look at and pray to severed toes, old pieces of cloth and pieces of old thorn?
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Paranormal, Ufological, and Cryptozoological Phenomena in Snowy Climates.
In the frigid landscapes of snowy regions, mysterious phenomena captivate the imagination. From sightings of UFOs amidst the Aurora Borealis to enigmatic creatures like the Yeti, the frozen expanses hold tales of unexplained disappearances and peculiar ice formations.
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Crop Circles – A Brief History.
The history of crop circles dates back centuries, with accounts of circular patterns linked to folklore and superstition. The 20th century brought widespread attention to these formations, sparking varied theories. These include natural phenomena, elaborate hoaxes, extraterrestrial activity, and spiritual symbolism. Despite ongoing research, crop circles continue to mystify, challenging our understanding of the world.
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Kelpies – Shapeshifting Water Spirits of Scotland.
THE KELPIES – Where legend becomes steel.
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Pareidolia – An Exploration of Cognitive Patterns.
Pareidolia, the tendency to see faces in objects, is rooted in complex neural processing. It extends to diverse patterns, impacting art and technology. Ethical challenges arise in AI integration. It influences daily life and beliefs in the paranormal. Interdisciplinary research promises deeper insights, highlighting its impact on cognition, art, and technology ethics.
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Films that have changed society
In the UK this last couple of months, there has been vast social change demanded by the public, concerning the treatment of several hundred Postmasters, […]
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Illusions in the Skies: Unmasking UFO Hoaxes and the Intriguing Role of Pepper’s Ghost Effect.
In the realm of UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters, the use of visual effects, including the Pepper’s Ghost technique, has added a layer of complexity […]
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Israel accidentally finds ‘impressive’ ancient mosaic
Israel will present to the public for the first time this week an “impressive” mosaic accidentally discovered in what was a wealthy neighborhood in Roman […]
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Quarried
Colin Shaw’s photography gives a different perspective of the local landscape than the usual pristine views. His large scale images of mineral extraction in North […]
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Artist – Rebecca Bentley
Becca is an independent, self taught freelance artist, having been inseparable from pencil and paper from a very young age! She has gained experience working […]
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Why ancient Roman graffiti is so important to archaeologists
Pompeii’s graffiti is the world’s most frustrating goldmine. When it comes to ancient Rome, the vast majority of insights into their world we have are […]
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William H. Mumler and the Art of Spirit Photography
The art of spirit photography took off in the 1860s and has as a main focus photographing ghosts, or spiritual entities. It was basically used […]
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Animal heads carved into rock may been used for ceremonies by Iron Age Bulgarians
At first glance, there seems nothing unusual with a group of craggy rocks in eastern Bulgaria – but then you start to notice creepy carved […]
