Carl's News
Keep up to date with Carl's news here.
Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter @carlthemagician
January 10th 2012
Happy New Year! December is now over and here we are in the middle of January already!
I'm delighted to report that I had a busy December with magic bookings. I participated in entertaining at corporate events and family functions for Christmas parties, including a small private party for eight guests and a corporate Christmas function for 300 at the Madjeski Stadium Hotel in Reading, Berkshire. It was nice to catch up with my old chum David Lewis the caricaturist again at the same function; he was drawing and wowing the clients and I was entertaining them making them laugh with some clever magic.
I also had the privilege of working for clients who had hired me in the past, so it was nice to be asked back and entertain at the Christmas Lunch for the Stilwell Partnership at the Red Lion in Horsell, and for Great Haseley Village Christmas party (for the eight time!).
It was great to be asked to entertain some first time clients too, amongst them the guests for the Christmas Party of Fresh Direct, who had their party at a great venue called The Tithe Barn in Launton, near Bicester, Oxfordshire. I was asked also to find another magician for that same event, so Fresh Direct had two magicians, a great jazz band and the food there was fantastic. What a great party!
December 7th.
Yesterdays show went very well, there was a lovely e-mail message from my client when I got home:
Hi Carl,
Absolutely fabulous!!!!
I don't think I have had so many compliments on my choice of entertainment in the 6 or so years I have been in charge of this wonderful bunch of baby-boomers. Even Jean commented on how good you were which is compliment indeed.
Thank you so much for coming to Steeple Aston and entertaining the group and may we all wish you a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
Very best wishes,
Richard
6th December
Another month gone by since my last update!
Today I'm performing my cabaret show for a group of retired folk at Steeple Aston Village Hall, I'll let you know how it goes later.
I had a nice break away in November with the good lady, so not a lot to report on the Magic front, though I did perform my magic for a lovely party for a family who are leaving the country to go and live and work in Malaysia for two years. They got all the friends and family round and had a great send off, the mix n mingle magic was well received.
On Saturday the 3rd December I did an unusual event for a very small party for Chris Larrington in Peterborough. Just 8 people, who where all dressed in fancy dress. The party was in the kitchen/diner of Chris's beautiful house which he had just built. I performed a mixture of my close-up magic and cabaret show plus threw in a couple of magic lesson for good measure. Chris, his wife Emma and their friends where excellent company, it has been along while since I have enjoyed a gig as much as that one, I hope I get a chance to work for them again. I got this message from Chris today:
"...Everyone had a great time, we thought your magic and interaction with everyone was fantastic!..." Have an enjoyable Christmas. Regards, Chris Larrington
I'm fully booked for December, though I do still have New Years Eve available if you are looking for a close-up magician for your event.
5th November, another trip down to Canterbury to entertain with some mix n mingle close, up magic at a fireworks party for the delightful family of Paul and Joy Roberts and guests. This is third time I have worked for them and it is always a pleasure to go there. This is a family that love a party and love to entertain. They still have a signed card on the ceiling that I magically put up there 3 years ago!
Lots of magic work coming in for December, I still have some dates left, so telephone me if you would like some great close up, cabaret, party magic for your Christmas Party.
You can follow me on Twitter. @carlthemagician
Iron House Brasserie, 1 St John Madder market, Norwich NR2 1DQ was the venue for a "Stag Night" for a group of gentleman. I performed my comedy cabaret show for Jeremy and his best mates at the charming restaurant in Norwich. http://www.theironhouse.co.uk/ I received this email the next day; "...Jerry and I just wanted to say a big thank you again for Saturday night. Jerry tells me that his son Alexander and Jane's 4 boys were still raving about your performance the next morning. And the rest of us didn't take long to get over the fact that the "entertainment" wasn't a stripper once you got started. We had a great night and all went home happy..."
7th October. Three day Expo. More magic for Solartech at the Grand Designs show at the Birmingham NEC.
Another holiday in Chicago!
28th October. Wedding party magic at the Holiday Inn, Northampton, a charming intimate wedding, the adults and children enjoyed the small magic show I put on for them. Later that evening a family Magic show for a Halloween party at The Centre at Mawsley, 9 The Green, Mawsley, Northamptonshire.
30th September. Three day Expo. My job was to draw customer to the exhibition stand of Solartech again, at the Homebuilders show at Earls Court Exhibition centre in London. Hundreds of people came to the stand to see Solartech, and it was my job to use my magic to entertain those that where waiting to be seen by the sales team.
26th September. After a long holiday in the South of France, I returned 3 weeks later to entertain clients of the Cambridge Building Society for a photo shoot at the studios of Reeve Photography, Rectory Farm, 1 Brewery Road, Pampisford, Cambridge CB22 3EN. The advertising agency wanted to achieve natural laughter and reactions from the subjects, so I was hired to work behind the camera to distract the customers from the camera and photographer. You can see the results on the website: http://www.cambridgebs.co.uk/ . All those people laughing on that site are laughing at what I'm doing. The advertising agency is http://www.mobas.com/
3rd September. The Terminal Building, Shoreham Airport, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5FF was the unique venue for the surprise 60th birthday party for Dianne Pearce. Her husband hired me as surprise entertainment for her. They had seen me last year another 60th party and called me up to see if I could work my magic again. We all had a great time and I received a nice letter from Frank a few days later "...you were even better than last time and everyone thoroughly enjoyed your act..." It's great to get good feedback.
On the 30th August I did a lovely show at a retirement folk's day centre in Bicester, Oxfordshire. A forty five minute cabaret show at 11am in the Morning! They all thoroughly enjoyed it as did I, so much so; in fact we are doing it again in December.
25th August. Believe it or not Christmas Bookings are coming already. If you are having a Christmas Party, you better start booking your entertainment now. You can follow me on Twitter. @carlthemagician.
21st August, An unusual one this one in terms of the venue; The Walled Garden, Basing House, The Street, Old Basing, Basingstoke was hired by a Media company called Amber Fin. Another summer B-B-Q, with bouncy castles, a very very good traditional Punch & Judy, live music in a marquee and me ice breaking with close - up Magic. This is what they said; "Good show - great icebreaker - thank you! Good to meet you and hope we'll cross paths again. All the best, Thelma"
20th August. Despite the quiet summer period when people are on holiday, I have had quite a busy August. Another highlight was preforming an hour of Magic for a small but intimate 21st birthday party dinner at the private home in Brill, near Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire.
6th August. The Be-Wiser insurance company hired The Weyhill Fayre, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire for a company summer barbeque for the staff and guests, amongst other attractions including bands, circus performers and bouncy castles, they hired me to be the roving magician. It was a great fin event and with some fantastic reactions to my magic including some W.T.F., moments!
4th August. Didi Pullara's wedding party at the beautiful St Michaels Manor Hotel, Fishpool Street, Saint Albans, Hertfordshire. A small intimate wedding with about 40 guests, I was hired to entertain with close at hand magic during the drinks reception. There was a mixed audience of adults and children and folk of different nationalities, the magic was a great ice breaker, and was received very well.
31st July. Magic show at a family christening party in Cherwell Edge Golf Club, Chacombe, Banbury, this seems popular venue for christenings, this was third one I've done here in as many years. Great crowd I had a very enjoyable show.
23rd July A private party for a family in Chieveley, near Newbury, Berkshire. Celebrating the 40th and 50th birthday's of a couple and their 10th wedding anniversary making that 100! This is what they said; "Hi Carl, Just wanted to thank you again for your magic on Saturday afternoon, you went down a treat and received lots of good comments back from our guests some even asking how wide an area you cover?! I have directed them to your website!! Thanks again Helen"
22nd July, RAF Benson, Magic in the Officers mess, can't say too much, very hush hush you know!
17th July, Entertained the guests and children with magic and comedy at a private Christening lunch in Newbury Berkshire. The client had seen me entertain at another function and booked me on recommendation, which is nice.
10th July, The British Grand Prix. My family magic show and Mix n Mingle close-up magic at the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited, Brackley Northamptonshire. A huge event for the staff and guests of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited, whilst those that wanted to see the race, I entertained those that didn't! Quite a few of them surprisingly!
9th July, Mix n Mingle close up magic at Monkey Island Hotel in Bray, Near Windsor, Berkshire. I entertained the Sargent's, Officers and guests of the Royal Fusiliers, a lively bunch, great fun.
2nd July, A private 60th Birthday party function in Oxfordshire. I'm in luck once again, working in another old stately home, but this one is now a hotel and business conference centre, set in stunning grounds, Middle Aston House in North Oxfordshire. The family cabaret magic show went down very well, the audience where very nice.
26th June, the weather holds up once again at Wormsley for another magic gig at the Getty Cricket Ground. This venue is truly stunning, and if you ever get a chance to visit or walk the many public footpaths through this private estate, you should take advantage of it, the estate is truly stunning.
25th June, Cliveden again entertaining the queues and the crowds at the famous gardens of the world famous stately home, another beautiful day and I had some great reactions from the children and adults today.
19th June, Another trip to the Getty Estate, Wormsley, to entertain the folks at the Cricket Ground for the Big Group Consultancy, it was a lovely hot summers day, and the mix n mingle magic went down well with the Pimms!
5th June 2011 Another busy week of enquiries and magic shows. I am getting enquires already for December for Christmas parties and company functions. Clients are asking for quotes for close up magic and magic shows! It's not even Midsummer Day yet!
On Saturday I provided magical entertainment for a couple of hours on a boat up (or was it down) the River Thames, starting at Runnymede near the Runnymede Hotel. The event was for a private client who was celebrating a significant wedding anniversary, with just 60 guests for dinner on the boat. It was a lovely relaxed party and the guest were good fun and all seemed to enjoy the magic.
On Sunday another select family affair for the thirty-tenth birthday party of Kate Adams in Boxford, near Newbury, Berkshire at the Bell Inn. A one hour magic show was what was required by Kate for all the family, children and adults all took part in the show, and a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all.
31st May 2011 - A busy weekend of birthday parties and weddings, with families, friends, more politicians and a Lord.
This Weekend I performed magic at two family parties and a wedding. On Saturday I did a one-hour family magic show for a birthday party in a village hall in Somerton near Bicester in Oxfordshire where there were children and adults of all ages. I'm delighted to say the show was very well received (well I would, wouldn't I!) and everyone joined in with show which was a magical family cabaret with the emphasis on making the adults and children laugh. I included in my act amusing magic for the children and some more sophisticated award-winning magic for the adults. I know that I enjoyed myself, and I am sure that the audience did too. I also did a very similar show at another family party in Camberley, Surrey on Sunday. One of the guests there enjoyed the show so much that she has asked me to perform at another event in July.
Then in the afternoon I went to a wedding in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, where I was booked for five hours! I was charged with entertaining the Bride and Groom's guests for the two-hour champagne reception, which was outside and in a marquee. I mixed and mingled with the guests, who included people from Germany, Switzerland, USA, the far North of Scotland and Birmingham. I performed magic for farmers, accountants, lawyers and politicians, and a Peer of the Realm; Geoffrey Howe, Baron Howe of Aberavon, CH, QC, PC; the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Deputy Prime minister. There was lots of laughter and amazement from the guests, just what was needed for the long drinks reception whilst the Bride and Groom, Bridesmaids and Page boys were having their photographs taken. Then there was an interval for me, because after the wedding breakfast, I performed a 30-minute magic show for the children. This was given as surprise to the children as a gift from the Bride and Groom. The age range was 3 to 13, it's quite a task entertaining children with such a large age difference, but the show was very well received and the kids had a thoroughly good time. Weddings can be a bit dull for children so my show was probably a welcome break for them.
You can follow me on twitter if you have nothing better to do. Tweet me @ Carlthemagician
23rd May 2011 - This weekend was a busy one. On Friday I entertained the clients, their guests and visitors of the Mentaur Ltd Day Care Centre in Northampton. I performed mix and mingle close-up magic whilst invitees visited the day centre. The guests included managers and owners of the day centre, local authority employees and the Member of Parliament for Northampton North, Michael Ellis MP.
On Saturday evening I had the pleasure of working again for a client that had hired me last year. Phil O'Keefe's 60th birthday was a family affair with about 60 guests at the Banbury House Hotel, Banbury, Oxfordshire. I started with mix and mingle magic at the reception party upstairs whilst guest where arriving and having cocktails. This was a great way to get Phil's party warmed up as some of the guests did not know each other, this type of magic show works well as an "ice breaker". Later when everyone was called down to dinner, I performed close-up magic around the tables, this allows the guest to sit and relax and enjoy some clever, entertaining magic in a more relaxed environment. Phil's guests are a great crowd and we had lot of fun laughter, just what Phil wanted at his 60th birthday party.
On Sunday evening I had the honour and pleasure of performing my comedy cabaret magic show for the members and guests of the Zodiac Magical Society at their 65th Birthday party, one of the oldest magic clubs in the world. The Event was held at Drayton Court, West Ealing London. My 30minute show, which is a sit down show in a cabaret style, was well received amongst the other magicians and their families and guests, and we all had a lot of fun.
15th May 20011 - I had the honour, privilege and pleasure of entertaining at the birthday celebrations of one George Critchell and family on Sunday at the Swan Hotel in Streatley, Oxfordshire. A small event of just fifteen close family members having Sunday lunch, the remarkable thing about this party though was that the birthday boy was 100 years old! George is a remarkable man still living in his own home and independently and he still rides his bicycle down to the shops. A fun time was had by all and I really enjoyed entertaining George and his charming family.
11th May 2011 - Blimey! A booking for November already! November 2012 that is! A Diamond wedding anniversary party in Cambridge. Now that's what I call forward planning.
28th April 2011 - It's nearly Royal Wedding day! I'm performing magic at a Street Party in Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, tomorrow. Why don't you join me there?
22nd April 2011 - Happy Easter!
21st April 2011 - I'll be tweeting from now on so follow me on twitter, @carlthemagician. Took part in a course today, very interesting and entertaining course on how to get the most out of twitter for business.
17th April 2011 - Performed magic for the guests at a corporate cricket match at the estate of John Getty in Wormsley for the BIG Group.
9th/10th April 2011 - Outdoor mix and mingle magic, entertaining the crowds and the queues at Cliveden for The National Trust. Entertained over 300 people!
27th March 2011 - Magic at the NEC Homebuilder's Exhbition for Solartech. Attracted a lot of customers for the sales guys to talk to.