Marathon of shows over

Just finished my marathon of Christmas shows. What a week with children’s shows and close up magic at company parties. Went down to London twice to perform Close Up Magic including 30 minutes in a private pod on the London Eye for a company.

Should have had 2 Close up shows last night but when I got to the first one a wedding it had been cancelled and no one had told me. They booked me in September 2010 and also sent a deposit, wish they had the courtesy of letting me know. Still never mind I was tired anyway and one close up gig was enough.

This week is shopping and week and off to the panto in Wolverhampton. I can relax a bit now and have a few pints.

Busy with shows just after Christmas which is unusual because in normally goes quiet.  

Merry Xmas Everyone

HAD A REST

I have had a bit of a break during the last 10 days with no shows. It was good to do the things that I find relaxing like going for a walk, especially in this mild weather for November. I even had a bet on the horses, which I have not done for a long time and WON hooray! also had a few drinks in some pubs that I have not been in for ages.

I have also been getting some new close up routines together which I’m sure will amaze my audiences. Back to work yesterday with a kids show and a close up gig and another kids show this weekend.

This is the calm before the storm, when I will be very busy during December with shows, just praying that there is no snow. The so called weather experts have got it wrong up to now, just keep it that way.

shows last week

Seen a few shows last week. Tom Stade comedian at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton whom I saw on TV, and he he made jokes about Wolverhampton where he lived for some time and I found him very funny. I was a bit disappointed when I saw him live. Don't know what it is but some comedians today, think they need to use the "F" word all the time and be controversial to be funny. I found Tom Stade very funny on TV and went to see him based on that performance. On Friday I went to the Real Ale Festival at my favorite pub, The Vine in Wednesfield, followed by the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton for the Chinese Cirque du Soleil. The acrobatics were magnificent and an all round good show.

Back to work this weekend with a few Kids and Close Up Magic shows. Need to shake off this cold and cough I have at the moment.

photos from palladium magic

These are just a few photos from my day at the palladium. Outside palladium Stage door.With top Las Vegas Magician Mac King, Front of Palladium.Performing in bar.

Palladium Magic

Well what an experience performing at the London Palladium on Monday Night 19^th September.

The show I was involved in was called Palladium Magic featuring world class acts from all over the world and when I say “World Class” that is exactly what I mean. This was probably the best magic /variety show I have ever seen after being in magic for over 25 years.

I arrived at the Palladium stage door at around at around 11:30am on Monday and was shown in having been given a stage door pass so I could come and go whenever. I watched rehearsals taking place and then had to take my rehearsal on stage taking my bow with other close up magicians.

This was all very exciting and I could not take it all in. The show was to start at 7pm so I arrived at the theatre at around 5:45pm again following all the stars of magic through the stage door entrance. I had to pinch myself to make sure all this was for real.

The audience started to enter the theatre at about 6:15pm and it was all systems go. I performed my close up magic in the theatre bar and also in the royal circle before the show. Then it was time to take my bows on the London Palladium stage. The curtain was down and we all lined up on stage. We could see the audience but they could not see us and what site that was, over 2000 people out there at the great London Palladium, the most famous variety theatre in the world. The curtain went up and the whole audience were applauding I bowed and walked off stage. I just wanted to stand there forever

I then went to my to join my friends on the front row of the Royal Circle the best seats in the house. What was to follow was a breathtaking show including magic, music, dance, comedy and illusion at the highest level. This was a night to remember forever, and I still cannot believe I have performed and took my bows on stage at the London Palladium. It all went too quick. Still I have lots of photos and my photo and name in the programme.

Well after stopping overnight in London I took some friends on a tour of London walking from the Tower of London along the Thames right up to Westminster.

We had booked to see the matinee performance of the Jersey Boys and I’m afraid that was a little disappointing. Having had such good reviews I thought it was going to be great but I nearly fell asleep in the first half. Too much dialogue and not enough music for my liking. I think we were spoilt the night before with such a great show.

Back to reality now with few shows to do the weekend and a busy October coming up.

What teachers have to put up with.

Last week was hectic. Down to London to perform at the Millennium Hotel Grosvenor Square, followed by more shows nearer to home.

Saw James Taylor at LG Arena on Saturday night. I have wanted to see him for a while and it was well worth it. Great voice and some memorable songs that I still can’t get out of my head.

I worked at a school last week to entertain some 14 year olds. It was a good show but it as come to my attention how disrespectful this age group of children can be to the teachers. They talk over the teachers and also ignore them when they ask them to do something. When I was in London there were a group of teenage school children that turned their back on the teachers when they were trying to correct them. What a disgrace. The trouble is the teachers cannot touch them these days. In my day we used to have a clout around the head or the cane. Bring it back that’s what I say knock some discipline into them. Sorry to rant on but I could not believe what I saw.

Another busy weekend in store starting with Close Up Magic at a wedding on Friday.

Great Shows

Since my last blog I have been to see some outstanding shows. The anthems tour with Kerry Ellis and Brian May was outstanding, probably one of the best shows I have seen for many a year. Also went to see Mick Flanagan again hilarious. Then off to see Derren Brown’s new show in Birmingham which was also very good.

What an end to Wolverhampton Wanderers season, edge of the seat stuff. I saw the last 2 home games and it was fantastic. Don’t want to go through that again next season, think I’ve aged a few years.

Went London to see a Recording of the new series of Fool Us with Penn & Teller. This was really good with some great magicians. It starts this Saturday 18^th June on ITV1 don’t’ miss it. You might see me in the audience pretending to go wild clapping and screaming, and that was before any of the acts had come on.

Back to London a few weeks later to see Snake Davis at the Pizza Express Jazz club in Soho, which was also very good. I also did some walking around London, I just love London it has everything, atmosphere, personality, great sights and of course good food and good pubs. Back there again in July performing some Close Up Magic at a corporate event.

Busy doing shows in June and then even busier in July.

Enjoy the British Summer

Micky Flanagan

Not felt well over the last few weeks but got through my shows. Went to see Micky Flanagan in Birmingham on Thursday and he was absolutely brilliant, never laughed so much in along time. Quite busy next week of to London twice Magic Circle on Monday then a show to do in Bromley on Wednesday.

Busy Busy

Busy Busy this week with 3 shows to do in midweek, things are looking up. Went to see Ed Bryne last night at symphony hall Birmingham and I was disappointed. First of all he had a support act on with him, not only did the support come on in the first but also in the second half. I’m not saying that the support was bad in fact he was OK, but I paid to see Ed Bryne not the other act. Why couldn’t Ed Byrne do the whole show himself surely he has enough material.

Having a few bets on Cheltenham festival this week and I’m in profit at the moment, I wonder how long that will last.

Need to do some rehearsing now for stand up show I’m doing next week, I’m adding a few new routines.

frenzy over Justin Bieber

Went into Birmingham on Friday to have a bite to eat and a few drinks at the Wellington (real ale pub). There were loads of Justin Bieber fans around as he was appearing at the NIA and they seemed obsessed. The fans range from 6/7 year olds right up to teenagers. I did a children's show a few weeks ago and the birthday girl of 7 years asked for some Justin Bieber music and I said 'WHO' and that's the first I had heard of him. She had his CD so I played a few tracks from that for the Disco I did for them. Still at least I know who the kids are into now for when I do my Disco for the kids.

Done a few shows today which were local to me and one in Stone, Staffs tomorrow, that's it then for another week.

Back from Blackpool

Good weekend at Blackpool Magicians convention and purchased some great new tricks. Busy catching up on things at the moment. Did a show yesterday and got a few this weekend, but not too far to travel so that’s good news. 

What an hectic week

Well this week started off with a trip to the hospital with my uncle having a stroke, but he is OK visiting everyday.Had new fencing erected in back garden after the strong winds last week, mind you the old fencing is about 20 years old, so not before time.

It's Blackpool tomorrow for 3 days at the magicians convention, been looking forward to this for weeks. Can't wait to see the shows and spend some money on new tricks.

Just got tickets for the Kerry Ellis & Brian May concert at the Symphony hall in Birmingham in May, so I'm quite excited about that, should be a sell out in a matter of hours.

Anyway packing a few things for Blackpool and off on the train in the morning.

Fun at the Circus

Did a few shows over the weekend. After the show on Sunday I went straight to see the 2^nd half of Chelsea V Liverpool game on TV, not a very good game but rather Liverpool won than Chelsea. Then from there I went to the grand theatre Wolverhampton to see Circus hilarious with Clive and Danny Adams and they were hilarious. I just love all that slapstick comedy and I was quite surprised to see how adults without children were in the theatre. Great stuff and looking forward to seeing them again at the Blackpool magic convention in a few weeks time.

What a great win for my team Wolves against Man Utd at the weekend. It’s hard to believe that Wolves could still get relegated after beating all the top teams this season. Funny old game football.

Staff at Beacon

Me with the nice people at Beacon Radio Wolves after baffling them with some Magic.

Freezing Hands

Performed Close Up Magic for the crowd cuing up to audition for the temporary breakfast show radio presenter’s job at Beacon Radio in Wolverhampton. The crowd were very friendly and loved the magic. In saying that it was a bit cold, not used to working in these conditions. Performing sleight of hand with freezing hands is an art in itself.

Great Laugh

Went to see Stephen K Amos last night, didn't know what to expect although I have seen him on TV. He was very funny and a lay back type of performer, who seems to be making it all up as he was going along. I loved his interaction with audience and is probably one of the best comedians I have seen recently.

Walk to the Pub

Went for a 1HR round trip walk to the pub lunchtime. What with this drink driving, I'm doing less driving these days.

Went for a 5-mile walk yesterday, need to get some exercise after sitting around for too long. Got a show to do today in Alcester, Warwickshire. Good luck to Wolves at lunchtime against Liverpool. I would have watched it in the pub only for the show. Looking forward to my Rump steak tonight and will sit down and watch The Magicians, not sure whether I’m enjoying this show or not but will watch it anyway.

It’s brass-monkey weather at the moment, wish it would warm up a bit.

Good Wolves Win

Good 5-0 win for Wolves last night in FA Cup against Doncaster, wish I’d have gone now. Mind you think what you can do with 20 quid. Need to spend some time getting my websites updated now, as these next few months can be a bit quiet with shows.

accommodation search Blackpool

Look around for somewhere to stay for the Blackpool magic convention in February. Need to be by the Winter Gardens. Somewhere cheap but good with a Bar would do.