Richard The Magician

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Well into his 17th year as a Magician Richard credits his sustained passion of magic to a sheer love of the art form and the personal qualities it provided him with.

Richard's crowning achievement as a child came when at the age of just 14 he was crowned the winner of the prestigious 'Young Magicians Close-Up Magic Competition'.

The competition consisted of members of the 'Young Magicians Club' (a division of The Magic Circle reserved especially for budding young Magicians) and was judged by a panel of elite Professional Magicians.

*Richard regularly performs across the country professionally at private functions, weddings and corporate events*

Well into his 17th year as a Magician Richard credits his sustained passion of magic to a sheer love of the art form and the personal qualities it provided him with. Richard's crowning achievement as a child came when at the age of just 14 he was crowned the winner of the prestigious 'Young Magicians Close-Up Magic Competition'. The competition consisted of members of the 'Young Magicians Club' (a division of The Magic Circle reserved especially for budding young Magicians) and was judged by a panel of elite Professional Magicians. His feat was even more remarkable by the fact that he was one of only two finalists without the benefit of professional tutoring.

Richard's success in the competition paid immediate dividends. Following his win he received an offer of free tutoring from Professional Magician Bob Swadling who has developed tricks used by such greats as Paul Daniels and David Blaine. Regarding Swadling Richard says: "When Bob first approached me with his offer I thought OK, how much? It turned out he didn't want money; he just wanted to give back to the profession he felt had rewarded him so richly. Learning with him was fun. He taught me not just about the tricks themselves but also the performance aspect of magic". Another consequence of Richard's win was an offer to perform in front of a live studio and television audience on national television, an offer he accepted.

Richard continued performing magic throughout his later teenage years, utilising it to open new doors and make new friends. He studied at Oxford Brookes University and became a full time Professional Magician in his early twenties. He has been booked to perform for many different national companies and celebrities including Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame and Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

In 2008, after being nominated by two highly regarded existing members, Richard successfully passed the examination criteria and was offered full membership of the world famous Magic Circle in London. This is an exclusive club for Professional Magicians who can perform to the highest standards. Richard now regularly performs across the country professionally at private functions, weddings and corporate events.

Julie Smith, Birthday Party, Middlesex
Hi Charlotte, Just to let you know I had a fantastic birthday party last night and the highlight of the evening was definately Richard! He had everyone mesmerised and wanting more, I've had so many phone calls all saying how much they enjoyed the 'magic' of the evening. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he worked the tables brilliantly. Thank you for organising the booking for me.

Amy-Marie Brown, Festival, Northamptonshire
Hi Matt, thanks very much for putting us in touch with Richard. We was absolutely fantastic.

Clare Collins
Thanks for all your hard work on Thursday night, I was sad to miss your tricks myself but have had rave reviews from both staff and pupils so you obviously impressed!

Bill Whlcymro
Thank you very much for your amazing performance this afternoon. There is only one word to describe it - MAGIC! Everyone enjoyed it and everyone I spoke to later talked about you and your act. Even at the end of the evening, people were still trying to work out how you did your tricks. I was absolutely dumfounded by the card trick you did on me. A number of people also remarked on your friendly attitude, that other performers they'd seen had been rather arrogant and dismissive. You were neither of these. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone else. Thank you once again for a fabulous afternoon.

Sue Chapman
I just wanted to thank you for making our Christmas Lunch really special. People are still talking about your tricks today! Christine and I both wish you a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Bev
Thank you very much for an amazing and fantastic evening on Friday. Everyone is still talking about you and how great the magic was (and trying to figure out how you did the tricks). I would not hesitate in recommending your services to others, my boss thanked me for organising your performance, so you really are a superstar! I will ensure that other brands within the Volkswagen Group are made aware of what you offer. If you ever need a recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes and many thanks.

Chris Hughes
I have had loads of requests for your return here so I think that is a mark of your success and popularity. The Principal even came up to me to say how pleased he was I was able to hire such a great act. Therefore your success has made me look great as well. You did a wonderful job and I hope to enrole your services in the future, at Wymondham College or at other venues.

Malcolm Stewart
Thanks very much for Saturday evening. Your pre-dinner performance was just perfect. It was impossible to get my family to talk about anything else for the rest of the night.

Janet McLoone
Thank you for coming to my daughter Rachel's wedding last Saturday at Eynsham Hall and performing your close-up Magic. Even as the guests were leaving on Sunday morning they were still telling me about the things you had done and showing me bent coins and torn and signed playing cards. As you had said, it was a wonderful way of getting the various groups to talk to each other. It also created a lovely warm, excited atmosphere.

Howard Mackay
On behalf of the Student Union I would like to say thank you for a brilliant performance last night, the students thought you were 'awesome'. We will definitely be hiring you again and recommending you to our other 5 Campuses.

Fiona Pocock
They LOVED it! Thank you so much. There was hilarity after you left because one chap couldn't find his lower denture and everyone seemed to believe it was another "trick". Thank goodness it wasn't and then he discovered he'd left them at home. I'm half mystified/thrilled/amused and half nervous that you are actually supernatural. You really did turn the evening into a huge success as I knew you would. Tim was completely amazed and will dine out on relating your magic feats for many months to come. He's already been on the phone to his best friend and gone through the whole 50p piece thing. The friends are coming at the weekend so no doubt the actual coin will make a guest appearance. I happen to think you were on very top form last evening too. A big, big thank you.

SONY, The Houses of Parliament, McLaren F1, IBM, Jeremy Clarkson, Blenheim Palace, Jason Plato, Sainsburys.

Private Parties - When asked about his performances at Private Parties, Richard offered the following:
"The great thing about performing at private events is that every single one is different. Sometimes I'm strolling around amongst 100 or more people performing Close-Up Magic on a boat or in a marquee and other times I may be entertaining just a dozen people at a dinner party. My act and repertoire is totally flexible, so if it's a Birthday, Anniversary party or just a social occasion that you want to make a bit special I can adjust my material to make sure that it has the maximum impact on your friends and relatives of all age groups."

"It's always a great idea, if at all possible to keep it a secret from your guests that I will be performing, having me simply approaching people and taking them by surprise guarantees big reactions and a nice party atmosphere. The Close-Up Magic that I present is award winning in its own right and presented in a nice friendly way. It's accompanied by some good comedy scripting that your guests will enjoy. The jokes however are very much on me and none of the comedy makes fun of your guests, so they will relax and enjoy it without worrying they may be embarrassed."

"One popular option is for me to perform Close-Up Magic and then follow it later in the evening with my 25 minute Stand-Up Show. This show is performed for everyone at once and is suitable for an audience of up to 75 people however it will work just as well with as little as 10 people. It is rich in audience participation and at least one of your guests will come up to assist me with each magic effect. It utilises some slightly bigger props, however it will work in a large room just as well as a normal size dining or living room. The shows scale can again be adjusted depending on the size of the venue and audience. It really does end an evening perfectly and leaves a lasting impression on your guests that they will remember long after the event is over."

Weddings - We asked Richard about the key for success at Weddings and he told us:
"Congratulations, you have chosen the dress, booked the venue and sent out the invites. Now it's time to choose how you will keep your guests entertained during the quieter parts of the day. During the photo's is the best example, your guests have nothing to do other than stand around waiting for the meal, the photos can sometimes go on for a couple of hours. A lot of your guests will be meeting for the first time, so if you have me mingling with them performing magic, it will create a talking point that will get your guests interacting with each other and create the perfect ice breaker for them. It also lightens the mood and gets the party off to a great start. I always suggest that you keep my performance a secret from your guests and have it as a surprise for them. It always has the biggest impact when it is not known that there is a Magician about!"

"Every single wedding is different and with my experience I can advise you on when my sort of entertainment will work best during your own wedding day. I also offer a package where you can split my performance times so that I can keep your guests entertained during the photos and then also have me return later in the day to meet the evening guests or fill that awkward gap between the end of the meal and the evening party beginning."

Corporate Events - Richard also explained to us the various style of Corporate Events he has performed at:
"Over the last few years the amount of work I have done as a Corporate Magician has really increased. It cannot be described as a single service which I have offered to corporations, in fact being flexible and being able to come up with new and exciting ideas that match a clients needs has been a big part of the fun. Below are a few of the different options that I offer."

- ENTERTAINING YOUR IMPORTANT CLIENTS
"If you really want to impress and entertain the people who really matter to your business, my services are guaranteed to do the trick. It will create a talking point and also reflect well on your company that you have laid on something really special for them. I can entertain your clients in practically any setting from a drinks reception or around the tables during a meal. I have performed on a boat trip down the Thames and even in the boardroom to end an important meeting with a bit of fun."

- TRADE SHOW MAGICIAN
"Trade shows are expensive for any business, and no matter how good the stand looks, getting the delegates in attendance to come onto it and see your products and listen to your company's message is not easy. Hiring me to bring them onto the stand with my form of entertainment is guaranteed to stop people passing you by and keep your sales team busy with new clients all day long. I can also create a crowd around your stand with parts of my stage show and incorporate your company's message into the presentation."

- A GIFT FOR YOUR CLIENTS
"A really great idea if you are looking to make an event magic themed or would like to offer a small gift to your clients is to give away small magic tricks. I can offer many different options. For example I can supply a fantastic self working trick called Predictalopes custom branded with your company logo or message that you can present to your clients as a gift. This trick is an effective marketing tool for your message and also easy to do. Your clients will be able to take the magic away with them to show their clients or friends and family all compliments of your company."

- PRODUCT LAUNCHES
"If you are looking to launch a product in a spectacular and unique way consider using modern illusion technology to take this to a whole new visual level. Combining my knowledge of stage illusion and a close association with world renowned illusion designer Mark Parker gives your company access to a powerful creative team that will take your product or brand message on a creative journey, delivering nothing short of a spectacular & unique experience that your customers will talk about for years to come... qualifying the rush of new sales leads generated will be the only and simple task for your company sales team."

Christmas Parties - Richard explains the key to success at Christmas Parties:
"Let's face it, unless someone gets really drunk and embarrasses themselves for everyone else's amusement, the annual company Christmas party can be a rather dull affair. Quite often it's at the same venue as last year and the same food, so how can you make it different this year, if it's your job to organise it?"

"Hiring me to entertain your colleagues will be something novel that I guarantee will be fondly talked about well into the new year. Most of your colleagues will have never seen a Magician up close before and it will create quite a buzz, especially if you do it a surprise for them."

"I offer various packages, depending on whether you want me to entertain during the drinks reception for small groups. From table to table during the meal or even one of these options followed by a 25 minute show after dinner for the whole room at once. I have an option that will suit your requirements.Your colleagues will be amazed, laugh and have fun, they will get into the spirit of what the company Christmas party should be about. Most importantly they will not be talking about work."

College & University Balls - As a young professional magician, Richard told us about his University & College performaces:
"As a former Oxford Brookes University student, I really enjoyed performing for Uni friends while I was there. Although I didn't realise at the time, it actually provided the foundation for working professionally at College and University events. Students love seeing something intriguing and different at their social or formal occasions. Most of the students will have never seen a Magician performing, having only previously watched it on TV. Seeing it live for the first time is always when the reactions are the wildest and most enthusiastic and this is why Close-Up Magic is the perfect form of entertainment for your student's party."

"As a Professional Magician I have performed at numerous College and University events. I add that special ingredient that distinguishes from the norm and makes it a truly memorable night. You can have me performing Close-Up Magic in the student bar or common room. At the drinks reception or table to table at the graduation ball, or even have me simply wandering around in the room after the meal adding the entertainment that will make the evening memorable for everyone long after it's over."

Performing walkaround magic for 70 - 80 guests requires a 2 hour slot.

It is possible for Richard to circulate around 10 - 12 tables during a standard three course sit down meal.

A popular format is magic performed at the tables during a meal, followed by a 25 minute Stand-Up Comedy Magic Show after dinner. A 10 feet wide space is required at one end of the room for this option to be a success.

Please Note: The fees indicated below are approximate and based on a central location for each county. They are intended to provide a rough guide only and exact quotes can only be given once the date and exact location of your event have been provided.