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Abberline's Repository
Produced by Lebanon Circle
Reviewed by Roni Shachnaey
I received my Abberline's Repository on
Monday and immediately started to play with it. It soon became apparent to me
that it is far from the usual. I took it on a test run the next day at friend's
house. The first comment was "where did you get this box?"
They did not connect the box with magic and that pleased me no end.
When I opened the box and started talking about Jack the Ripper showing them the
supporting evidence that was supplied with it I felt as if I had already
started the show. For about half an hour my friends examined the police evidence
the newspaper reports and Jack the Ripper letters. Until you witness the
interest those papers create it is hard to explain people's reactions to the
whole thing and the mood it creates. It was awesome for me to watch their faces
-
I loved it!
My first item was the now well known effect 'From Hell'. I performed it in a
slightly different way and with only one candle light. With every one of my
friends having to decide which picture was either a victim or non victim. It was
a very eerie experience! I put the pictures now separated into two piles back in
to
the box, victims on one side, non victims on the other side of the partition and
asked my friend Rachel to put her hands on the lid explaining to her that cold
means death and warm means life. She closed her eyes and touched the lid with
both hands. Rachel is a very level headed individual that runs her own business
so I didn't quite expect the reaction I got from her, it was unreal! It took few
seconds for Rachel to calm down before she pointed at one side saying this side
felt cold. I opened the box to show Rachel that she was right as I showed her the
back of the pictures. I could go on and on, but I'll only say that I could hardly
move on. Somebody jumped and put the lights back on. They examined the pictures
whilst saying that they have separated the pictures themselves etc. and asked
Rachel what she felt on her palms. I simply could not continue for good few
minutes and was very pleased that they could examine each and every picture.
The other effects were also very strong and again I performed them with a single
candle light. It is a very long time since I had such strong reactions
especially since my friends know that I am a magician. The comments where that
this is not magic as they know it. It must be something else. The diary note
inside the key was another talking point. I must say that we had a good few
moments of laughter when I gave them an old penny each, saying that they will now
play the part of the ladies of the night, especially when three pennies where
given to my men friends to play the ladies of the night.
By that time they demanded that I do the séance I had promised to do. I
would like to thank Paul Bell for a great scripted Jack the Ripper Séance.
When I got to the part when I used the Ghost in the Machine you could hear a pin
drop and gentle screams when Jack apparently replied to questions by ringing the
bell from the dark side!
I had a great evening that lasted nearly three hours - all from one box!
I never thought I would say this, but as a pro I think that Dan should charge a
lot more for this (I simply don't want others to buy it!).
All can say is that it does what it says on the box and to my mind much more!
I can't wait for Lebanon Circle to bring out other projects. I am saving my
pennies already.
© Roni Shachnaey, July 2010