You walk on a moonless night through a dark alley in the middle of an unknown city. At first, trusting the map, you believed it was a shortcut. Then, lost and disoriented, you were sure of it. Yes, a shortcut... but to hell! On both sides of the narrow passage, the houses look lifeless, sunk in silence and sepulchral stillness. Behind you, as you walk with fearful steps, you leave nothing but fog and darkness. You don't know how you mustered the courage to pass through such dense blackness, but you're certain you'd never do it again. Forward, only forward, as if shadows were chasing you. Almost at the edge of despair, fighting against the dense fog that flooded the place, rays of light herald an exit ahead. Hope!
You walk a few more meters, and no... they don't seem to be the lights of the main street. It's a shop! And it's open! Reaching the window, your terror gives way to amazement: a toy store! A beautiful toy store, with items that seem from other worlds! Lit like a circus, but with impeccable taste, and with a multicolored sign that reads Grand Illusions over the half-open entrance door, inviting you to enter. Strange toys from other times and dimensions parade through the windows, evoking warm memories of your childhood. You no longer feel fear. Only joy! Without hesitation, and no longer interested in finding the exit, you enter the place, which welcomes you with light and warmth. Doubt and horror are left behind. The toy store overflows with games and toys of all kinds. Curiosities you never dreamed existed, now there, all together, dancing for you. On the other side of the counter, with no trace of malice and with a soft and kind voice, an eccentric old man greets you cheerfully: Welcome to Grand Illusions!
Tim Rowett and the Grand Illusions Channel
That's what Tim Rowett evokes, the gentle host of the Grand Illusions channel. It resonates in the same way as the oriental merchant who sold the Mogwai to Randall Peltzer in the classic Gremlins. A true gentleman, who seems to come from one of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone. And Grand Illusions is a true playful oasis of oddities and curiosities among all the emptiness and darkness that swarms and pursues us on YouTube. A quality channel, where Tim takes the time to explain how the toys and curiosities of his collection work.
A Collection of Curiosities
With more than 25,000 pieces in his collection, among toys, trinkets, and various oddities gathered over 50 arduous years, Tim has material for a long time. Retired today, living alone in an apartment in the city of Twickenham, Tim is a reserved guy who isn't on YouTube for glory, but to show his amazing collection. The videos of Grand Illusions are usually not very long, and in each one 'the toy man' explains and shows how each of his rarities works, even explaining the context in which they were created, all with an unbeatable English accent, with patience and true enjoyment.
Behind the Scenes
Tim, besides being a collector, is an expert storyteller and an amazing magician. His videos, simple in appearance, have a lot of work behind them. They are filmed in a small studio and are produced and edited by two BBC veterans, who partnered with Tim to see how the 2.0 adventure would go. With 447,346 subscribers and more than 116,557,740 total views, it can be said that this adventure was a success, especially considering that many of the toys Tim shows on camera can be bought in the channel's online store. Cha-ching!
More YouTube Recommendations
If you're one of those who 'collects' good YouTube channels, who likes to separate the wheat from the chaff, avoiding common places and kids with more ego than talent, the windows full of wonders at Grand Illusions are a must-see. Want more YouTube recommendations? Survival rations tasting, a crazy Norwegian, primitive technology, and a hydraulic press. Enjoy them!
