New venues.

Being a Magician is a great job because not only to you get to meet a vast amount of people but also you get to travel all over to perform at different venues. This week I performed at two venues that I had never performed at before.

On Thursday evening I was booked to entertain the national sales team of Celotex ( Insulation specialists) the night before their annual sales conference. I had a wonderful drive out to Broadway ( Worcestershire ) to t

he Dormy House Hotel.

The hotel is set in very picturesque grounds and once inside it has a mix old and new perfectly balanced together. I was booked to entertain the guests in the terrace bar whilst they enjoyed a few pre dinner drinks. It was a very enjoyable hour and the entire team seemed to really be thrilled by the surprise. I quite often get booked as a surprise for a sales team or wedding party and I feel it often makes the performance even more memorable and special for the guests.

The other venue I found myself performing at was Eastington Hall near Stonehouse. Once again set in picturesque surroundings it was perfect for the wedding reception I was booked to perform a

t. With a large outside seating area looking over lovely gardens and plenty of space inside made it perfect for mixing and mingling with the crowds.

I have included a couple of links to the websites for both venues .

http://dormyhouse.co.uk/

http://www.eastingtonhall.co.uk/

Feedback.

Its always nice when you get an e-mail from the client after the event. I received an e-mail yesterday from a wedding I performed in May at Eastwood park. I had been hired as a surprise for the bride and groom for the evening reception as the new guests arrived. Here is the testimonial I received :

“We are so glad we hired Darren as an extra surprise for our daughter and son-in-law at their wedding last month. He proved to be the perfect ice-breaker for all the guests arriving for the evening. Darren’s blend of magic and charm enthralled everyone. We kept hearing eruptions of laughter and applause rippling around the room . A month later everyone is still talking about him and wondering how he pulled off such amazing tricks up close. Many of our guests commented on how he came back to their table and remembered everyone’s names as if they were old friends. I’ve never seen anyone put people at ease and make them feel included as effortlessly as Darren does. That’s a special kind of magic on its own! Darren, you are a brilliant magician and a first class entertainer – incredible value for money! We’ll definitely be hiring you again..and again.. for any event we can.”

Karen Lowden.

It was a fantastic gig from my point of you and I am so glad it well received by all the guests.

Weddings and Cabarets.

May proved to be a busy month. Not only have the weddings been plentiful but also I have performed my stand up act at a cabaret in London. Its always nice to be able to work on material that is slightly out of your everyday repertoire. Last Friday I performed at The Shaftesbury Tavern Cabaret in north London and it was a highly entertaining evening. I worked alongside jugglers, acrobats, improvisers, Burlesque and even a ukulele playing compere.

I performed in both halves my first acts consisting mainly of card effects and my second act being more of a street style gambling act with cups and balls. The response from both was fantastic and it is definitely an avenue that I will be exploring more often from now on.

One wedding I was booked to perform at was for a couple who I had met at a wedding fayre and they had booked me for entertainment during the photographs and drinks reception

before the meal. Luckily for me a they also hired a fantastic Photographer who managed to get some great snaps of me working... http://www.astonhuephotography.co.uk/

I will be editing a small video of photos and video taken at Kay and Dans wedding and posting it on the site soon. So stay posted.

This month also saw me complete my second marathon. Me and a close friend travelled up to to Edinburgh and took part in the marathon it was a tiring but fantastic day and I managed to raise a good amount of money for macmillan cancer care.

All for now.

Darren.