I’m not just booked as a magician in Nottingham. As 2019 comes to an end and Christmas parties are in full swing, I thought I take some time out to look back over 2019 and some of the weird and wonderful places I have performed at around England, Scotland and internationally and some new and exciting things I have planned for the forthcoming year.
Early 2019 started with a photo shoot for some new promo photos. It was a fun day but unfortunately I didn’t feel the look I was after was captured. I was wanted some mysterious and enigmatic but sadly none of them were particularly usable. That said, a few months down the line, I pulled out my iPhone, drafted up some idea and magical poses and within 30 minutes or so was able to capture some really strong images using an bed side lamp and dimmed lights. I’ll add the photos in here. It just goes to show – you don’t always need expensive equipment to achieve your desired result.
I wanted to talk about some of the fun places I have been performing magic and mind reading this year too. Early in January, I found myself performing for the first time at the crucible. So often acclaimed for hosting snooker championships, I was engaged as a mix and mingle magician to perform for an international company celebrating 25 years in business. The first highlight on the new year was performing some close up magic and mind reading at the Guildhall in London. Hosted by Vernon Kaye, I performed to himself, as well as a plethora of other celebrities including David Seaman and Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge. Performing in the vaults of this beautiful, listed building was a real treat.
Perhaps not the most glamorous of venues, but certainly unique, was a booking for a company who hired the Bierkeller in Birmingham city centre. In my days as a student, before I started performing magic, broad street was a regular haunt of mine, and now returning to perform as a magician in, perhaps, a venue I used to frequent was a little surreal but equally fun. The Bierkeller serves traditional German pitchers of beer down long wooden table much like you would see if you attended Oktoberfest.
In April I was hired to fly to Glasgow to perform at an informal networking event to showcase some of my latest magic and mind reading. This was the first time I had visited Glasgow as a magician and was a lot more attractive than people suggest. I would liken it to a cross between Sheffield and London, but a lot more humble. The event was really good fun and again, was a first for me, performing at the SEC in Glasgow which, much like the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham is a major exhibition centre, hosting many events throughout the year.
Later that month I was hired to roam between guests at the Donnington Park racing circuit as part of one of the season big race meets. I was performing to guests in the family tent and in the arena near the race track and unlike other sporting events I have attended in the past, had a really relaxed family feel about it.
Moving into the month of May, I had the privilege of performing at Fawsley Hall. This is a venue I have never attended, but found myself performing alongside a couple caricaturists. It’s always nice to work alongside other professionals in the entertainment industry as it can often feel a little isolated when you simply arrive at an event (as the outside entertainment) and you are the only one who doesn’t know anyone. Fawsley Hall itself is beautiful and the wedding was of equal beauty.
As you can see, I find myself travelling further afield more and more and recommendations spread around the country. In early may I was hired to represent a company to perform trade show magic at the London Excel. I integrated some Rubik’s cube magic into my act and worked with the client to create a really bespoke offering to entice people on to their stand but at the same time, leave a memorable and lasting impression on the prospective clients. I can be hired as a trade show magician and you can find out more here.
