Magician & mentalist

Standing ovation in Aston Clinton!

To be self employed in this day and age, with  the words ‘recession’ and ‘market slumps’ on everyones lips, is truly a scary prospect. However, when you get to meet such lovely people  such as the O’hara family and their friends and family, then it makes it all worth while.

I performed  magic and a mentalism cabaret for Pat and Sue’s  25^th wedding anniversary  recently in the lovely part of Buckinghamshire called Aston Clinton.

They had a beautifully set up a Marquee in the garden where I did the table magic and the stand up mentalism show. Fortunatley we had cracker weather for September. I used a number of people in the show to help me out and I do my best to make them feel welcome as most people feel awkward when going up on stage. The audience were all super that night.

Later that week, Pat sent me the following:

‘Hi Ian,

Thanks for your email and for the brilliant ‘wandering magic’ and mentalist show.

Everyone was talking about both after you had left (and the next day when many of them descended on us for breakfast!)

Silver Wedding Anniversary

A couple of weekends ago I was asked by Elaine Kemp to perform magic at her and her hubby’s silver wedding anniversary in South Nutfield in Surrey.

We had perfect weather and so the celebration took place outside with a hog roast and jumping castle and loads of great people.

Elaine kindly sent me an email the following week:

‘Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the entertainment you provided for our sliver wedding celebrations. It really made the evening special. We have had lots of comments from our family and friends who were really impressed and  loads of people asking how we found you. I wouldn’t be surprised to meet up with you again at one of their parties! Thanks once again for helping to give us a day to remember’

Thank you Elaine and your welcome. You were all great fun.

FISM stands for ‘International Federation of Magic Societies’, and was created in 1948.

Every 3 years, FISM holds a championship in a different country, a bit like the Olympics of the magic world. This year it was in Beijing. So my good magical mate  Clive Winterton  and I ( see pic no. 1), went to observe.

The Championships were very close to the the Birds Nest Stadium (see pic no.2) where the Beijing Olympics were held last year in 2008.

The Magic Championships went on for 6 days with competitors from all over the world gathering to try win the prestigious title of World Champion. The UK had one entrant in the close up competition, and he won! The picture no. 1 shows fellow friends and magicians, and we were celebrating Marc’s win. In the rear standing is Paul Brown, and from left to right in front is myself then Marc Oberon (The Close Up Winner) and Clive Winterton.

The pic number 2 is Beijing’s finest being impressed by magic…

Beijing is a huge city and very modern. I’ve never seen so many vast skyscapers before, and most were beautifully designed-bit like Vegas on steroids at times!

Before the championships, I managed to vist a few places like The Great Wall..of course I had to impress the locals with magic on The Wall…(see pics 4 and 5)

…see the Forbidden City, The Summer Palace.. and too practise an Art I am very fond of - Tai Chi..at the very early hours of the morning I might add (pic no. 6)!

What an amazing trip and I have come back with some great ideas, met some wonderful people and have Amazing memories to keep forever.

I performed at the Wedding of John and Sian Hackett last weekend in Hertfordshire. I have never seen so many stunning Wedding flowers at a ceremony ever. I believe the family worked in the importation of flowers, which did explain the amazing arrangements that were everywhere to be seen. Also available were jugglers there to entertain the kids, a  String quartet (see pic) as well as an excellant music  team.

Lucky at Luxters

I was hired to perform at a beautiful Grade 11 listed 17th Century old barn called Old Luxters Barn in Hambledon near Henley-Upon-Thames on Sunday. The couple, Mike and Angie Porter, arrived in a stunningly restored Vintage car (see pic).  It was a lively celebration and it’s not often that the married couple get a chance to see any of the entertainment but I made sure Angie and Mike did. He sent this message: ‘Thanks so much. All our guests were absolutely enthralled by your ’show’ and we will recommend you whenever we get the opportunity.’  Thank you Mike - I really enjoyed meeting you and best wishes to you both.

Tanks for the Magic!

 There are not many venues that have a Tank parked in their back yard but the very beautifully situated Newick Park Hotel in East Sussex does. It’s just for kids to play on and took me back to my youth in South Africa where every park had either an old  Fire engine or Tractor to climb on.

 I was entertaining a 70th birthday celebration at the hotel, which tend to be a challenge for magicians as they have groups of all ages. However it all went smoothly and the final mentalism cabaret went down so well, that I ran out of affects after the encores!

Magic, Gambling and Weddings...

 Last weekend I did a wedding at the lovely Compleat Angler  Hotel again. Apart from being situated right next to the Thames and the famous Marlow bridge, it offers first class service. I really enjoy working there. This wedding had different types of wedding entertainment. There were casino tables (see pic above), a disco, a band and myself performing close up magic.

I think it is so important to have entertainment at a wedding, particularly magic (well I would say that!), as it breaks the ice between strangers, gives them something to talk about and can fill gaps for example, when photographs are taking place.

Masters of Mentalsim

Last week I went into Reading to see the very talented Derren Brown in his latest show, ENIGMA, at the Hexagon Theatre . He has performed several shows over the years, and he keeps getting better and better.

He is a charming and down to earth young man who deserves all his success. I do love his Caricatures!

Magical Cruise

Yesterday I was hired  by the lovely Veronica Cairns to entertain at her husband Ron’s 60th birthday party aboard the cruise barge, The Georgian, belonging to the Maidenhead Steam Company.

It departed at Maidenhead and chugged it’s way through several locks to Windsor Leisure Centre, where I was dropped off. The boat then returned to Maidenhead.

Although the weather was looking disturbing in the morning, and I was wondering whether I should purchase sea-sick pills, the sun made an appearance and it was a lovely afternoon. Apparently the whole affair was a surprise for Ron. The family and guests were great fun and they enjoyed the magic. What a delightful way to spend your birthday!