Storytelling, Mystery, and Bizarre Magick - June at My Mind Rocks

Every so often, it’s healthy to step outside your comfort zone.

For many mentalists, bizarre magick is exactly that.

It’s a branch of our art that many have heard of but very few have properly explored. Some dismiss it as dark theatre. Others assume it’s all about skulls, candles and Halloween props.

The reality is something quite different.

Throughout June, My Mind Rocks dedicated an entire month to exploring bizarre magick, looking beyond the clichés to understand why it continues to captivate performers and audiences alike.

We began with The Bizarre Three Some, where Terry Tyson, Jamie Daws and I sat down to discuss what bizarre magick actually is. Rather than jumping straight into methods, we spent time talking about storytelling, atmosphere, folklore, theatre and emotional engagement. It became clear very quickly that bizarre magick isn’t really a collection of tricks. It’s another way of thinking about performance.

Later in the month, Jamie returned for an exclusive live lecture for MMR members.

One of the things I admire about Jamie is that everything he performs has a reason for existing. Nothing feels added simply for effect. During the evening he not only shared several of his favourite bizarre pieces, but also spent time breaking down how one of his recent theatrical shows was conceived, written and refined. Seeing that creative journey was just as valuable as learning the material itself.

If you’ve ever wondered how performers create original shows rather than simply collecting routines, there was a huge amount to take away.

Of course, June wasn’t just about our guest sessions.

The Tuesday Members’ Jams continued every week, giving members the opportunity to discuss ideas, ask questions and explore the month’s theme together. Dave Moses also hosted another of his increasingly popular Sunday Sessions, which have quickly become an enjoyable addition to the monthly programme.

Looking back, what I enjoyed most about June was introducing members to something many had never seriously considered before.

That’s one of the things I love about My Mind Rocks.

Each month has its own identity. Rather than teaching the same style of mentalism over and over again, we deliberately explore different areas of performance, creativity and presentation. Sometimes it’s muscle reading. Sometimes readings. Sometimes television production. This month, it was bizarre magick.

Every one of those subjects adds another layer to your thinking as a performer.

If you’ve been following these monthly recaps from the outside, you’re only seeing part of the picture.

Inside My Mind Rocks, these aren’t just blog posts.

They’re live discussions, workshops, lectures and conversations with performers from around the world, all designed to help you become a more rounded and confident mentalist.

If that sounds like the sort of community you’ve been looking for, we’d love to welcome you.

Join My Mind Rocks.