Category Archives: Party Entertainers

New Year’s Eve is fast approaching!

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New Year’s Eve – a great excuse for you to invite the friends and family around, indulge in some more drinks and snacks, and celebrate a fresh start. Don’t worry if you haven’t sorted out any entertainment for the evening yet, there is still time to book and there are plenty of interesting acts for you. Take a look at our top 10 last minute ideas for your New Year’s Eve entertainment.

1. Magicians

Hire a Magician, another great ice-breaker for large events, but also very versatile and can perform at much smaller events for New Year’s Eve. Magic might look amazing on television, but there is nothing like seeing live magic being performed right in front of your eyes. Close-up magic is great to get guests actively involved and keep them amused during the quieter times of your event.

2. Pianists

Of course, New Year’s Eve events can be very classy, requiring some sophisticated entertainment. A Pianist is a really good option if that’s the type of event you have in mind this year. Most pianists are happy to discuss set lists with you in order to create the type of show you are after. Live music adds that extra spark to any event, especially New Year’s Eve when your guests are expecting to see the year out with a bang.

3. Rat Pack Singers

Rat Pack singers cover all the greats, from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennet, to more modern music from Michael Buble. This is a great entertainment option if you want to entertain all ages for New Year’s Eve, and Rat Pack singers can be hired as solo acts or with a band.

4. String Quartets

Another classical option for your New Year’s event, but still able to adapt to your theme! String quartets are a good option if you are on a tight budget but want that big band effect. Most quartet groups have options for trio, duo, or solo performances too, so it’s always worth asking for other options. Some quartets even boast electric instruments which can make the show even more impressive.

5. Vintage Singers

If you fancy a singer but you are looking for something a little bit different for your spectacular New Year’s Eve event, look no further. A vintage singer could be the right act for you! Vintage acts can perform traditional vintage songs, wartime songs, or more modern songs in a vintage jazzy style – it’s entirely up to you! Most vintage acts will also have a range of themed costumes available to wear if you are going for a full-on themed party.

There are plenty of party entertainment options for New Year’s Eve that you may not have already thought of. Just remember to book quick as time is running out!

How to plan the perfect party

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When planning a party, it is crucial that you choose a venue that is easily accessible. By choosing a good venue, you will greatly decrease the amount of time and effort it takes you to dress it up. Whether you are planning a Bar Mitzvah, Christmas party, wedding, corporate event there are plenty of interesting venues to choose from.

To show your guests how much you appreciate them coming to your event, greet them with a drink. This gives you a chance to welcome them, set a positive vibe, and get your guests in the mood to party.

When booking your venue, it is important to get a confirmation of the number of bar staff that will be included. You will need to be certain there is an adequate number of bar staff to ensure a fast turnaround of drinks at the bar. Otherwise, your guests will spend most of their night standing around waiting for a drink.

It’s a good idea to book a venue where the bar is in the same room as your party. If not, your dance floor will rarely be more than half full. If the bar is in an entirely different room, people will end up congregating there to talk.

To encourage mingling, start the party off with some exciting party entertainment. This is a particularly good time to break the ice in those awkward moments when you have only just met other guests and family for the first time. Red Masque directory has something completely unexpected, such as a magician, fortune teller, celebrity lookalikes, or a caricaturist. Guests will be drawn together to discuss what is going on, which will get them interacting with each other.

If you choose a caricaturist, it also creates the opportunity to send your guests home with a truly unique party favour.

You can’t go wrong by hiring a live band. While it’s true that most guests are content with a party DJ, anyone who has ever attended a party with a live band will tell you that it made the night so much better. In fact, it is not unusual for guests or even the person the party is honouring to admit that a live band is what made the night truly unforgettable.

After all, live party bands will get your guests excited and pumped up. While not everyone likes to dance, even the most ardent anti dancer won’t be able to stop themselves when a great live band is performing classic and modern party songs.

This is your party, so you need to be right in the middle of your guests having just as much fun as they are. Don’t spend the night running around trying to organise everything. If you are having a good time, everybody else will too. If you are having a miserable, stressful night, expect that vibe to rub off on your guests.

Venues in Manchester for your event

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Here at Red Masque directory, we like to give you ideas for different cities that you could hold your event. Today we are taking about Greater Manchester:

We provide a directory for you of fun entertainment ideas and equipment hire.

Why host your event in Manchester?

Crowned the world’s ‘Best Sports City’ in 2012
Ranked as Europe’s Top city for business competitiveness in 2010
Started Manchester Enterprise Zone
Third most visited city in the UK by foreign visitors

If you’re interested in organising a corporate event in the city but want a venue with a difference, here are 10 unique places to choose from:

1. The Palace Hotel, Oxford Road

What could be better for a conference, wedding or charity event than an iconic, Grand Victorian luxury hotel?

The Palace Hotel features a beautiful glass-domed lobby, stunning art deco interiors and 885 metres of space for up to 900 guests- so there’s plenty of room for entertainment equipment.

2. Audit Room, Chetham’s School of Music

Chetham’s School of Music is the largest specialist music school in the UK and the only music school based in the North of England.

If you’re organising an event and looking for a vibrant atmosphere in a setting with gothic windows and 17th century doors, what better venue than a building that is nearly 600 years-old and truly magical.

3. Players’ Lounge, Hotel Football

Want to say that your event is in a building founded by the infamous Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville? The Football Hotel is a unique venue situated yards from the Old Trafford stadium.

The Players’ Lounge is a great space that can accommodate up to 200 standing and 100 guests seated.

4. Main Gym, Evolve

Work up a sweat by hosting a fun, innovative event at Main Gym!

The venue has the capacity for up to 200 people and the combat sports facility comes complete with boxing ring, trapeze, gloves, shin pads and more.

5. Rovers Return, Coronation Street

If you’re a big Corrie fan, take to the Manchester cobbled streets by hiring out the nation’s famous pub.

The venue tour can hold up to 250 standing guests or 80 dining, and you get wine and dined in the main studio, surrounded by the iconic sets.

6. Zombie Shack

Just the name of it is unique and cool!

The Zombie Shack, near Oxford Road Station, is the loudest and wildest Tiki Cocktail Paradise in Manchester. Please note it’s only available to hire midweek.

7. 2nd Floor; K2 Karaoke Nightclub

One might associate a nightclub with an evening of music, drink and dancing but it can be so much more with a cocktail bar on hand and a dance floor space that’s ready for you to throw out some shapes!

The K2 Karaoke Nightclub, located in the heart of Manchester’s China Town, plays host to corporate events and private functions on a weekly basis.

So if you want somewhere different to host your event (and also get your groove on), this place is ideal

8. Chill Factore

The Chill Factore is home to the UK’s longest indoor skiing and snowboarding slope and is a brilliant family day out but it’s also a great place to hold an event whether that’s a team building experience with your business or a conference.

It’s situated just off the M60 so it’s super accessible too!

9. The University of Manchester

It’s not just a place for learning! The University of Manchester offer fantastic conference and event facilities all year round.

Its inspirational heritage and convenient location make it an excellent choice and some of their venues are suitable for up to 1000 delegates which is perfect if you’re planning a large scale event.

10. Museum of Science and Industry

Situated on Liverpool Road, the Museum of Science and Industry is a truly unique venue with gorgeous galleries and state-of-the-art function rooms.

The historic building offers an amazing backdrop for events and conferences and it can accommodate a variety of event sizes from 50 to over 300.

The last day of freedom

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If you have the task of organising a Hen or Stag night, you are going to have to ensure it is a memorable one – in a good way! Of course you will know the Bride or Groom well and you’re aware of what they possibly would like to have. You probably have a list of ideas already bubbling away and you may even have some possibilities of a venue. However, if you aren’t sure what to do or you want to add something different into the mix, Red Masque entertainment directory may be able to help take some of the strain away as we have some great suggestions for Hen & Stag night themed evenings. Before you start you might want to consider the following factors:

Before you book anything, firstly, you need a good idea of guest numbers. Ask the Bride or Groom who they want to be invited and show them the list of names before you fire off an email so you are sure everyone who needs to be is included.

Theme – When deciding on the theme, try not to surprise the Bride or Groom too much of course, there should be an element of surprise but make sure that what you choose is something they will enjoy. For an example, your shy, retiring Bride might not want a male strip-o-gram or similarly a Groom with a love of opera may not want to spend the weekend riding on a bucking bronco.

Budget – the money that is spent is very important. Canvas the guest list and find out what everyone wants to spend. Don’t start sharing amounts with all the guests as some can afford more than others. Take an average and suggest that be the limit. It’s normal for everyone to contribute (if they can) but the Bride or Groom should not have to pay. At the same time as organising the budget, suggest suitable dates in advance. Once you have decided the guest list, date and budget you are ready to decide what to do! A good tip is not to make the hen or stag night too close to the wedding; leave at least a week for recovery time!

You could include some extra entertainment ideas you can have a real point of difference… How about some gorgeous female or male singers who will waltz into the venue, maybe posing for a few pictures and bursting into song! Or think about have a celebrity lookalike to join you, especially if you know the Bride has a thing for Brad Pitt or perhaps the Groom likes Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian? All can be organised to make the Hen or Stag one he or she will talk about for years to come!

Make it a night to remember with a Cocktail Night, which are just perfect for Hens or Stags! You can either decide to head into town or visit the best cocktail bars or pubs in the area. Or hire a cocktail waiter. As an example, enjoy a plush venue and spend the evening with a few cocktail games. Blow all the budget on champagne or even consider a cocktail making masterclass where you will be taught by a mixologist how to concoct great tasting, potent cocktails before drinking them! Don’t just turn up at a series of bars or pubs, do the research first so you have an itinerary to avoid not knowing where to go next.

As far as entertainment goes, you could hire a caricaturist to draw a group caricature of all the hens which can be then be framed as a lasting memento. Or the Stags might enjoy a cool, contemporary mind reader or a magician/illusionist to keep them entertained and completely blow their minds!

Plan ahead for your New Year party

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A Roast of the Past Year​

Everybody loves a good laugh! Instead of roasting the guest of honour, hire a Comedian to roast the past year. In this day and age, pop culture is inescapable, so your guests will be roaring with laughter as they look back at the year they’re leaving behind.

​From the year’s most famous celebrities to the moments that will go down in the history books, looking back (and making fun of) the year you’re leaving behind is a great way to commemorate the year and prepare for the next! You and your guests will laugh your way into the new year!

Red Carpet Party ​

​With a long red carpet, some velvet rope, a photographer, and your closest friends dressed to the nines—it’s amazing how a space can turn into a black tie affair! Get ready to ring in the New Year in style—and don’t forget the bubbly!

​For all of us who have practiced our Oscar’s acceptance speech into a shampoo bottle, here’s a chance to make it feel real. You and your guests can arrive in style in a limousine, walk down the red carpet and have photos taken by the “press and paparazzi,” and party like rock stars straight into the new year.

Casino Party​

​They say that the house always wins, so why not bring the casino to your house?

​Renting Casino is easy at Red Masque! Invite your best friends, hire a Barman to keep the drinks flowing, and test your luck for the new year! With slot machines, Blackjack, Roulette and everything in between, your guests will never forget the New Year’s Eve when Vegas came to them!

Disco Party ​

​With a 70’s Disco theme, your party will be “Staying’ Alive” with funk and retro dance steps! Put on an afro wig and your tallest pair of platforms, and you’ll be grooving’ all night to some Disco hits.

​Folks in the 70’s really knew how to party. It’s time to bring back the dance fever! Hire a DJ for some classic Disco hits and hang up a disco ball for the full effect. Break out those old lava lamps, some glow bracelets, and if you’re feeling brave, strap on those old roller skates! A Makeup Artist can match your glitter jumpsuit, and a professional Hair Stylist can really pull your look together with some Farrah Fawcett feathering. Now, let’s boogie!

Cirque du New Year​

​What better way to say goodbye to one year and hello to another than throwing your very own Cirque du Soleil—New Year’s Eve style! A circus-themed party is a feast for the eyes, perfect for corporate event entertainment and is sure to leave your guests raving about their start to the new year!

​From Aerialists to Fire Performers to Stilt Walkers and everything in between, you will find exactly what you need on Red Masque entertainment directory to make your Cirque party a hit.

Times Square Party ​

​So, you couldn’t make it to actual Times Square to watch the ball drop. That’s okay! We can bring the feel of New York City to you.

​Recreating the ball drop isn’t the easiest thing to do. But, here’s the next best thing… make a homemade confetti drop to line the ceiling. This can be a net, drop cloth, or other large cloth with ropes attached to release the confetti when the time is right! Invite all of your friends; it won’t feel like Times Square unless your party is packed. Party all night with your favourite 2016 tunes by hiring a DJ or Cover Band to perform. When the clock strikes midnight, have your noisemakers ready and pull the ropes to release the confetti! For a true Times Square experience, have your loved ones write down their wishes for the New Year on pieces of confetti and create a Wishing Wall!

A Vintage Circus Party

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Ever since “Water for Elephants” hit the theatres, we’ve been in love with the Vintage Circus party theme. The idea has been around for a while, but it’s still one of the most visually exciting party themes out there! Plus, you can add all kinds of amazing live entertainment to take things up a notch. We have a few ideas to bring your Vintage Circus party to life.

Decorations

Stripes are an easy way to incorporate that circus feel into your party. If you can’t have the actual big top tent, bringing the red and white stripes into your decor will do the trick. Hanging a backdrop of alternating white and red scarves or sheets can mimic the tent, as well. Try and find faded red to add to the vintage theme. Banners with alternating flags are another simple yet effective decoration. Luckily, balloons are inexpensive and fit beautifully into a Circus theme. Hang balloons from the ceiling and pair with white lights or scarves for a simple, yet gorgeous setting.

If your budget is a little higher, you could have marquee letters with lights spell out “CIRCUS” (or maybe the name of the guest/guests of honour).

Invitations are really fun for this theme. Create and print postcards announcing “The Circus is Coming to Town” with all of your event details.

Refreshments

What foods do you love at the circus? hot dogs, or candy floss? All great ideas for your Vintage Circus party! Set up a self-serve table with all of your favourites and let your guests take their pick. Or if you’d rather have someone else take care of the details and add an element of authenticity, try bringing in a company to provide candy floss hot dogs, and more.

If your party includes a cake, there are tons of amazing designs out there. Professional cake decorators can help your vision come to life, or simplify things with a cupcake tower instead! Just frost them in your theme colours, add a printable toothpick flag, and you’re set.

To dress up your food table a bit, print labels in a fun “Circus” font.

Party Entertainment

While it would be amazing to have an elephant in your backyard, it’s not entirely probable. That doesn’t mean you can’t have awe-inspiring entertainment at your Vintage Circus party! In fact, some of our favourite types of corporate event entertainment live in this category. If you have the space, Aerialists put on some amazing shows in the air above the party. Jugglers, Fire eaters, and Acrobats can also take advantage of the area and keep your guests mesmerized.

If space is a little tight, try up-close and personal entertainment like Mind readers, Tarot Card Readers, or Street Magicians Have some kids at the party? Balloon Moddlers and Face Painters are always a great addition to Circus parties!

The year of the Pig

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Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days. Fifteen. Now, if you’re anything like us, you just can’t see yourself partying for 15 days without losing your job or your liver. So, for the sake of having one big celebration, this is how to throw a Chinese New Year party for one night only.

Set the tone

First of all, cleanliness is a big part of Chinese New Year. To really start with a clean slate, it’s tradition to do a very thorough house cleaning before the new year. Then, at your party, it’s customary to ask your guests to remove their shoes at the door. All of this is said to lead to good luck and a smooth transition into the new year. Once your home is spotless, it’s time to decorate.

Red and gold – that’s your colour scheme. In many Asian cultures, red envelopes symbolize a monetary gift for a special occasion. So, you may consider sending your invitations in red envelopes to go along with your theme (you can include chocolate coins to replace the money). You’ll want to hang beautiful Chinese lanterns throughout your home (and outside, too, so that new guests can easily identify your home). Cover your table with a rich, red table cloth and use gold-trimmed plates or gold napkins, placemats, or other finishing touches. Many choose to adorn their tables with Chinese dragons as centrepieces. However, you can also decorate by placing bowls of mandarin oranges (which represent wealth, luck, and happiness) out for your guests to enjoy.

It also adds to the ambiance to have some music playing in the background. Consider instrumental, western, pop, or ethnic music to add to your event entertainment.

Dinner is served!

Crispy Duck, spring rolls, lettuce wraps, won tons, and crispy orange beef, chicken chow Mein are just a few dishes you can serve at Chinese New Year. If you’re not up for cooking, hire a Caterer to make up delicious traditional Chinese dishes for you and your guests. Your desserts should be orange based or otherwise relate to your Chinese New Year theme. When it comes to alcohol, you should talk to your Bar man about serving drinks that involve oranges. Do not serve anything with cream or that is white in colour, as white represents death and mourning.

Party favours

Buy Chinese take-out boxes and fill them with party favours for each of your guests. Some great favours to celebrate Chinese New Year are chocolate gold coins, fortune cookies, oriental fans, Chinese opera masks, character bead bracelets, mini paper lanterns or dragons, and other traditional Chinese sweets or gifts. If your budget allows, you may also consider booking a Photo Booth for your event and laying out themed props. You and your guests can pose with paper dragons, red boas, and other fun props – and the photo strips make great party favours!

Chinese New Year is all about new beginnings, luck, and happiness. So celebrate with your loved ones and have a happy new year!

Wedding anniversary ideas

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Wedding anniversaries are among the most joyous celebrations in a person’s life, and unlike birthdays, you actually get to pick the date!

But, year after year, it can become difficult to think of fun, new ways to celebrate your marriage. So we’ve put together some tips for you to do something wonderful with your partner this year!

Spruce Up the Classic Date

So, your first thought is dinner at an elegant restaurant? That’s great, it’s a classic, and classics are classic for a reason. But how about sprucing it up a bit? First of all, make sure the restaurant is nice, as nice as you can. It’s your anniversary, after all. Then, instead of simply driving to the restaurant, why not have a Horse Drawn Carriage take you there? Or a Limo? Afterward, take your partner on a lovely stroll and have a Singer waiting to serenade them. This is a great way to make a regular date-night activity turn into a beautiful memory!

The Bash

Maybe you don’t like to keep it simple. Or private. Maybe you want to throw a huge party with all your friends. For a real bash, there are some essentials we strongly recommend for you. First, a Bartender. This is a must. Nothing simplifies the logistics of an event like designating someone specifically to the alcohol. Second, a DJ, Cover Band, or a Dance Band– music, in other words. Hire some Tables & Chairs if you’re looking for a more formal affair, and hire a Caterer if you think guests will stop dancing long enough to eat. A bash is a joyful way to celebrate the love in your marriage, as well as the life you’ve created together.

Recreate Your Wedding

Depending on how long you’ve been married, recreating your wedding can be a fun throwback to your younger lives. Hire a Cover Band to play the same songs and ask your guests to show up in era-appropriate attire. Decorate the party with pictures of the wedding, which should incite stories and remembrances from times gone by. Nothing shows you how much has changed like going back and remembering how it all began.

Anniversary Roast

This one’s for the strong couples, the ones with a serious sense of humour. Divide up the roasters by partner, so that each one gets lampooned evenly. Hire a Stand-up Comedian to bring some professional legitimacy to the proceedings. Consider booking a Cover Band or a DJ for some filler music. A Roast works both as an anniversary celebration and a test of your marriage!

Destination Anniversary

Who says an anniversary has to be celebrated with a party? Why take your partner on a trip? What better way to honour the adventure of a marriage by creating a new adventure? Travel anywhere– fly abroad or a romantic cruise. No matter where you go, you and your partner will be a team, discovering the world.

We hoped we’ve helped you and your partner make the best of your special day. Always remember: the whole point of an anniversary is to take time to honour your marriage. So don’t worry too much about planning the perfect event. As long as you spend it with your partner, we have a feeling your anniversary’s going to be wonderful

A West End Musical event

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We all love musicals. Even those people who say that they don’t can be found screaming Grease Lightning at the top of their lungs at party events every summer. It makes sense then that musicals from the West End and Broadway are therefore commandeered for weddings, corporate events and private parties. 

Mary Poppins

Ah yes. Famous for dancing penguins, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Dick Van Dyke’s horrendous cockney accent, this is a musical that combines animation and live action to great effect. A family classic for all the family. But how does that translate to events?  Why not hire a dance troupe with some costumes and umbrellas and create a wonderful Poppins scene at authentic venue of your choice?

Sound of Music

For a merry West End sing-song of all the hits from the Sound of Music. Do-Re-Me, So Long Farewell, 16 Going on 17, Climb Every Mountain and My Favourite Things could be belted out to a costumed audience. Who doesn’t like this film?  Such an idea won’t be perfect for every corporate gathering but it certainly be a unique and pleasant experience!

Mamma Mia

Knowing Me, Knowing You, Dancing Queen, Waterloo… The hits are endless and as a result, why not book a tribute band and dance away? Or go wild and have a full on 70’s costumed event. Abba is everyone’s guilty pleasure. The result; a fabulously fun and entertaining party that is thoroughly enjoyed.

Jersey Boys

“Oh what a night!” is exactly what you’d be saying after experiencing a Jersey Boys Tribute act. That was exactly what to sing a medley of brilliant hits. Cherie, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Who Loves You… Just some of the hits that can be Working My Way Back to You.

Rocky Horror

Richard O’ Brien’s greatest moment? Only if you wish to disregard his marvellous work on The Crystal Maze. Even so, the Rocky Horror Show is a huge cult musical that fans always like to dress up for.  These themed parties for the Rocky Horror never go out of fashion. Many bands love to recreate the songs from this show and everyone will love a bit of ‘closet’ dressing up!!

We will Rock you

There’s no reason this can’t be done in its entirety but for the certified Best Single of All Time, Bohemian Rhapsody. “Galileo! Galileo! Galileo Figaro! Magnifico…” We’ve got Freddie Mercury lookalikes before and know that an all-singing, all-dancing inspired Queen recreation would be the perfect musical experience for a corporate or private crowd. Fun fact for you: Robert De Niro was one of the producers of We Will Rock You in the West End. Amazing.

7 Main Magic Tricks

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Did you know that there are only 7 different types of magic tricks? That’s not to say that you will only ever seen 7 party magic tricks in your life and that all of the others are the same, but like film genres, there are widely acknowledged to only be 7 categories that magic tricks will fit into, though naturally there will be some crossover (and a few people disputing this belief).

Below, we’ve compiled the 7 types of magic tricks explained them a little. Magic!

Vanish

As you might expect, this is the art of making something disappear. A popular close-up magic trick will normally use a coin or a card, whilst David Copperfield went so far as to make the Statue of Liberty apparently disappear. (We say apparently because last time we checked, it’s still there…)

Appearance

One could argue that this is how the Statue of Liberty returned! That wasn’t televised. Often seen when a event magician creates cards from nowhere or perhaps with doves and candles, as seen in this mesmerising Lance Burton magic trick. Wow.

Levitation

Be it a matchstick, a car or even yourself, audiences around the world have been mystified by various objects defying gravity for years, dating all the way back to the Indian Rope trick. Later versions include David Copperfield’s ‘Flying’ and of course, the street levitation that made David Blaine famous.

Penetration (oi!)

Stop blushing. You have no need to blush! You at the back. Focus. Come on now. The penetration is a classic that we’ve all seen before. A pen passes through a playing card or a coin passes through an iPad. Frankly, they’re all mystifying and deserving of an audience. In this clip, ‘magician’s magician’ Eugene Burger passes a cigarette through a card, somehow leaving the card intact once the magic trick is done. Huh

Transportation

“If you’d just like to check your back pocket, sir…” The transportation is a staple of card top magicians worldwide, managing to shoehorn the 8 of Hearts into anything from a pair of trousers to a lemon, or even a sealed tin of spaghetti. This type of magic trick was the main thinking behind top film, The Prestige featuring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, where the main characters were transporting themselves. Impressive stuff. (Again though, David Copperfield did it years ago…)

Mind Reading

The incredible abilities that made Derren Brown and Uri Geller famous, mind reading, is a tremendously impressive feat of psychological showmanship. To his credit, Derren Brown admits this. Uri Geller though, passes it off as gospel. Often seen at live magic shows, it’s sure to impress. How did they know?

Restoration

Whether it’s your bank note, a card or even your ludicrously expensive watch, magicians love to tear or smash up your property before returning it to you a few minutes later completely unharmed (in theory…) Strangely they call this entertainment. As long as it doesn’t go wrong, it’s great.

If you’re looking for a magician for your event, feel free to get in touch using the information below.