My blog of things and thoughts

Had my first bookings of 2012 yesterday, and phew, what a busy day.  My first booking was a wedding at Northcote House near Ascot.  Although I have performed magic at many different events in and around Windsor and Ascot, this was my first time performing at this venue.

Northcote House was a very impressive venue, and the staff there were excellent at co-ordinating the day and everything went perfectly to clockwork.  It is definitely a venue I would be happy to go back to again.

I performed for the guests after the ceremony to give them all something to talk about whilst Nina and Karl (the happy couple) were having their photographs taken.  I think many of them weren't expecting a magician at the wedding, and weren't too sure what to expect from me.  Fortunately all the screams were of people enjoying themselves.

I must also say a big thanks to Jess, Nina's sister, who saw me at a wedding in Windsor last year and recommended me to her sister.  Often brides and grooms see me at events or wedding fairs so have at least seen me perform a little, so it was nice for Nina and Karl to experience that feeling of seeing the magic for the first time along with all their guests.

Once Nina, Karl and their guests went through for their meal I hopped in the car and drove to the other side of Berkshire to Highclere, near to Newbury.  This was to perform magic at Geraldine's 50th birthday party. The venue was a local hall and it had a really good atmosphere.

Again, most of the people attending were not expecting a magician and most had never seen one close-up.  The party had a more "informal" feel to it in comparision to the earlier wedding, and everyone was hugely friendly and eager to get involved.

I first mingled around the groups whilst everyone arrived.  It didn't take long for people to work out who I was and though I'd start a trick introducing myself to a handful of people, by the time each trick had come to it's conclusion a large group had grown around me.

After a while everyone seated and enjoyed the food.  As each table was served one at a time it meant I could continue entertaining whilst staggering the tables that were either waiting to be served, or had finished their meal.  However, some tables were so eager to see the magic they called me over regardless.

Having mixed around and built up groups it was tricky remembering who was who and who had seeen what.  Therefore I performed a few things around the tables that I don't usually do, and pleased that this got great reactions along with the more regular material.  I realised that I was getting so carried away and staying at each table longer than I'd planned I had ended up staying for an extra half hour!

Fortunately the cooks had generously put aside a plate of food for me to eat before I left, which was great because having only a banana, choccy bar and can of Coke for dinner whilst driving from one to the other probably isn't the healthiest of live-styles.

It was great to get back into performing after the festive season and quiet start to the New Year, and looking forward to spending many more weekends entertaining and weddings and parties.