December has started which means the countdown to Xmas day. For most magicians it’s usually a pretty busy time of the year with not only the usual weddings, birthdays etc but also all the christmas parties going on up and down the country.

I’m quite lucky and do tend to get booked quite a lot for these parties – but in turn does mean I get Christmased out before the real thing arrives.

It’s only day 3 and I’ve already performed at the Shazam Christmas Party on a boat on the London Thames and a lovely little hotel in Kensington. Tonight I’m in Surrey. Lot’s more whirly balloons to contend with before the month is out…

Here is my appearance on ITV1′s hit primetime TV show, Penn & Teller: Fool Us

No high tech equipment was used. The music really comes off the CDs in the players. Hope you like

Watch Alan on 2nd July, ITV (or even in HD if you can stomach it) at 8pm with Jonathan Ross and Penn & Teller.

What will the world’s best magicians make of Alan’s trick? Will they be fooled? Or even like it? Will he mess it up and make an arse of himself in front of 4 million people?

Ahead of doing our one man shows at MagicFest in Edinburgh in July, myself and Rob James
are previewing on the same evening.

I am doing a show about my life in magic (from kids shows to comedy clubs) and Rob is performing classic magic including the amazing Orange Tree (like in the film The Illusionist). 2 for less than the price of one. If you wanna come, tickets here

As I’ve previously mentioned, I am performing in Edinburgh at MagicFest 1st July – 8th July with my new one man show. Well some good news just in from MagicFest –

Save up to 20% on Tickets

We have launched an early bird ticket offer allowing you to save money on MagicFest tickets.
This offer is ONLY available for 8 shows from the main programme listed and closes on Friday 24 June. Visit ‘ticket offers’ for more info.

This Sunday, May 1st, Magic Night will be at the Enterprise as part of Camden Crawl.

Usually known for having top bands and comedians (this year they have Razorlight, Tinchy Stryder and Graham Coxon), magic has been added to the line up!

Magic Night normally runs at Madame Jo Jos where I always have a great time and I’m quite excited to be part of the line up for the inaugural Magic Day at Camden Crawl

Just a quick heads up for Magic Fest 2011.

Last year I performed my spot at the gala show which was great fun (pic included). This year I am back with my first solo one hour show.

Although I’ve not finished writing it yet, it looks like it’s going to include stories of my time performing at kiddies birthday parties (the thought of which has just made me sick in my mouth), cruise ships, restaurants and all the other odd places pocket wizards work.

More details a bit closer to the time, but the dates are 1st-8th July

Quite late I know but just to let you know I’ll be appearing tomorrow night at the very beautiful London venue, Cafe De Paris for Wam Bam Club. A fantastic evening of burlesque, music and magic (that’ll be me then).

Nice mail just in when Adrian Connell was in charge of impressing Tesco store and area managers at a lovely little dinner at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire recently….

“If you are looking to hire this guy for an event do not pause, do not hesitate, we hired Alan for a post xmas event with the aim of adding some light entertainment and smoothing the evening over, he did not add light entertainment or smooth the evening over….. he absolutely smashed it, the event was a massive success with my whole team truly astonished and entertained by his act, we watched throughout and after in amazement at his act and were in awe by the end of the night, I am not exaggerating when I say he turned a good evening into a great one, top drawer 10 out of 10!” Adrian Connell, Tesco

January is usually a notoriously quiet time for the wandering Pocket Wizard but this month I have been to Gloucester, Stratford Upon Avon, Macclesfield, Birmingham, Northampton, Leeds, Bradford and of course London.

Maybe February will be the new January?

Couple of shots just in from a lovely party at Natural History Museum in London

Photos by kind permission of http://www.owenbillcliffe.co.uk/

Here is a trick I recently performed at The Young Magicians annual gathering at The Magic Circle in London. Enjoy

If you were wondering about what people who had paid money out of their own pockets thought of The Secret Room, then look at this –

“I wanted to thank you for entertaining all my guests at my 40th birthday party. You were really brilliant and the only magician to do the secret room that I’ve come across. That was a huge sucess. Many of our guests didn’t even realise you were there until they were directed into our dining room Others were wondering why a few people were coming out of out dining when the door was closed. This really added to the mystery and intrigue of the evening. Much better than having a walkaround magician. As for the magic, it was amazing! So many of our friends are still talking about it, and wondering “just how you did it”! Even the scepitcs couldn’t figure it out. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for a first class magician. Many thanks again and best wishes.” Ishanthi Bratby, Oxford

Recently I got asked to be on Living TV’s Four Weddings. I was already booked to appear at the wedding and Lyndsey (the bride to be) rang me to ask if I would mind been filmed. I explained the reasons why and said I did mind – and she was really nice about it and said it wasn’t a problem. The day of the wedding came and I had a great time. The guests were in good spirits and I was going down as well as I can.

After wards the film crew came up and asked if they could use the footage. I said no. Here’s the problem with these type of shows. They can edit it anyway they like – for instance, at some point I get a card chosen and then reveal the incorrect card. This is then magically changed to the right card. It’s a great trick. But if for the narrative of the show they want to portray me as been terrible, they could just edit the last bit out and show a reaction of disappointment from one of the spectators. As I have no control over the editing, and I’m aware of how these programmes work, I’m still pleased I declined to be on it.

I also got asked if I would mind my act been filmed for a new show with Louie Spence – for the same reason I also declined.

There are a couple of new shows coming early next year on the television. The first is a show called Magicians on BBC 1 (not sure if that will be the end title). 3 magicians will team up with celebrities and perform an illusion – a vote will be involved and the loser will have to do a forfeit of some kind. Sounds shit to me (although would still have liked to be asked to audition) but at least they will make it and want the magic to be performed in the best possible way and make sure the reactions are as good as possible.

Another show is with the excellent mind reader Phillip Escoffey. Phillip came to see a couple of shows that I’ve been in and I’ve been to see his. He’s excellent and about the only mind reader at the moment that isn’t trying to be Derren Brown. Phillip’s show is to take part as a game show – with contestants having to work out whether he can do the impossible or not. Sounds good – could be great.

Anyway, it’s all good for magic been back on the television

Recently I seem to have been performing in Berkshire a lot. And I like it.

In the last few weeks I’ve been in Reading, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead.

Although I’ve enjoyed performing at all the events (don’t want to upset anyone!), I think my favourite was at The New Mill in Eversley (near Reading). A lovely intimate venue with a real mill.

If you are in Berkshire and are getting married then I would suggest checking out http://www.thenewmill.co.uk

Close up magician Berkshire
Table Magician Berkshire
Wedding Magician Berkshire

Here are some shots of a recent wedding taken by the fantastic (and used with kind permission by) http://www.edlawson.org/

It was for Ezyln and Simon at Warren House, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. Good fun was had by all. And I got chance to show off my new beard.

Magician Wedding

As more and more magicians crop up and make sure their website is on Google Adwords, it’s interesting to see that the general price of close up magicians vary massively (one guy advertises magic for £99!). Usually I see about 5 new magicians every month. Maybe more.

As a magician you can’t buy experience and talent – however, you can buy a website that looks great. So, how can you tell a good magician from a bad one from their website?

Well, look for pictures of them performing. That’s a start. Or the best way is to look at their promo video – if they have no personality on their videos then chances are they will have even less charisma when they show magic at a party. And a magician without charisma is like an alcohol free beer!

Close up magic (or table magic) has really taken off in the last 15 years. Before that most people associated magic with Paul Daniels (especially in the UK) and before that David Nixon. Magic was also thought of as a children’s entertainment – the magician would come along and perform a few funny tricks for the little uns at birthday parties and often make balloon animals.

Nowadays, most magicians perform at weddings, private parties and corporate events with close up magic – that is magic performed to small groups at a time. No stage, no special lights, no mic. And it’s great. It can really help break the ice for guests that don’t know each other and create a genuine buzz before the alcohol has kicked in.

The downside is, that as having magicians becomes more popular then more ‘magicians’ jump on the bandwagon. All you need is a couple of tricks, a quick website and put an ad on Google Adwords or a few internet directories and you’re away. Anyone can get at least a few bookings.

So how can you separate the wheat from the chaff? Here are a few things to look out for -

1) Price. If the magician is charging a very low fee then chances are he is new. Ignore the fact that he claims to have lots of corporate clients. If he is charging a good fee then chances are that he has self worth and belief in what he is doing.

2) Video. Make sure you can see a video of what the magician is like. This is vital. Lots of magicians put together videos that are heavily edited so you can just see a few card moves – this is because unfortunately, many magicians are socially inept and are bad at actually engaging and entertaining. Sure, there tricks might be fine, but it’s a bit like having comedian like Peter Kay or someone you know saying the same jokes. It’s all in the delivery.

3) Recommendations. Have a look for some recommendations or Google the persons name. If a magician has been performing for a while then inevitable his/her name should be all over the place. I would be very wary of any magician who’s name only comes up for his website.

4)Pictures. Have a look to see if the magician has a few picture of him performing. It’s all very well to say they can entertain – a picture is worth a thousand words. Also, make sure the magician is actually in some of the photos – some unscrupulous magicians just pinch photos off other sites.

5) Response. Look at the professionalism and speed of the response. If a magician isn’t used to getting lots of enquires about his/her services then they are usually slow and bad about sending out a detailed and professional response.

Even the above can not guarantee you will choose the right person. Out of them all I would say the video is the most important. If you can get an idea of the performers personality (and tricks) then this is your best bet.

Usually a magician is seen mixing and mingling amongst groups. However, an excellent way to use your magician to the best advantage for everyone is setting up a separate room and inviting small groups in at a time. This way everyone gets to see the show in it’s best possible form – no interruptions at the wrong time (ie a waiter coming over at the vital moment), full focus and it just feels a bit more special to go and see a show rather than a show coming to you.

Alan Hudson – Professional Close Up Magician in London

If you are in Edinburgh on 16th or 18th August, then as part of the Fringe Festival I’m performing for London Is Funny at the GRV.

If you are around, haven’t booked anything else for those evenings and have a spare fiver, here is the link

http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/london-is-funny-presents?day=16-08-2010

If you are in Edinburgh between 7th and 11th July check out http://www.magicfest.co.uk

There are loads of magic shows and even a special talk from Paul Wilson (The Real Hustle). Magicians are performing their shows daily
so there’s lots of choice, and like at the Edinburgh Festival, you can even see several shows in a day.

I’m in the grand Gala show on 11th July so this should be a lot of fun.

Recently many magicians have been asking me if they can use my Secret Room idea – as a lot of magicians read this blog, this post is largely for them. The answer is yes – please use it. In fact, I URGE you to do it. Although, please don’t call it The Secret Room – use the concept, not the name please.

Most people ask for a magician wandering around showing tricks to small groups because that is what they have seen at another party/wedding/corporate event etc. Most people want what they know. However, if more magicians start doing the Secret Room idea, this is what people will start asking for. Which will make life better for us all.

I’m sure most of you realise the benefits of the Secret Room already, but if not here are just a few

* It gives you more credibility – people feel they have just seen a top show by a top magician, rather than just been shown some tricks by a bloke!
* People see the magic without interruptions from other guests, waiters etc and so therefore get a much better experience
* You can perform better magic as you control the environment (ie where people are sat etc) – you’re not restricted to the typical close up tricks
* Everyone at the party gets to see you (very difficult to make sure when doing walkaround) and for the right amount of time

At these parties more people ask for my business card than any other event I’ve ever done in my life. I know that sounds like an ad for a magic trick – but it’s not the trick, it’s the framing.

Many people who enquire just want to know the price. “Can I have a quote please”, “how much do you charge”, “what is the cost per hour” – and understandably people don’t book magicians everyday so have know idea as to how much they might be.

Most magicians don’t have prices on their websites for several reasons – 1) They want people to make contact first so they can ‘sell’ their wares to them over email or telephone and 2) It’s almost impossible to put a price list up because almost every single event is different.

For instance, a Saturday evening is likely to have a higher cost than a Monday afternoon. The magician in question may already have one job nearby that day and doubling up is always good. A peak date in December will be higher than one in January. Or maybe the magician will charge more or less depending on the location and whether or not he actually wants to come along or not. It’s always better for me to perform locally – but quite often someone who has seen me before might want me to go to a wedding in Oxford for instance. I’d be stupid to turn that down or out price myself – performing usually leads to other people booking me for other events.

So, what is the cost of a close up magician? Well, most good professional magicians tend charge from around £350 – £850 (can sometimes be more in December, especially on peak days) for close up magic, more for cabaret (there are a couple that charge a lot more than this – for instance TV magicians, but they are the exception). And sometimes more to book way in advance. You can get cheaper magicians, but usually they are either semi professionals (some of whom are good I have to say) or children’s entertainers who know a few tricks. Someone once said to me that you can always tell a kids entertainer when they are doing adult shows – it just shows in their mannerisms, and often in their attire! I also believe this to be true.

Close up Magician London

So, here is my new video of me doing tricks n stuff. It will go on my site properley soon, but until then, here it is –

=

You’ve asked for it – now you have it. Well, you will soon. It’s in the final stages of editing and should be ready by the end of the week. So check back Friday. And if not definitely by Monday. Probably. I’ve seen the unedited version – and I have to say, it’s pretty, pretty good!

Here are a couple of screen shots –

On March 11th I’ll be appearing at Up The Creek in Greenwich, London with other fantastic acts (including Adam Bloom and Tom Webb). It’s all for charity (I don’t like to talk about it) – and tickets are available here Charity Gig

Let me know if you’re coming

Magician London

Next weekend is when 3000 magicians (well 3000 people with an interest in magic anyway) all descend upon Blackpool for a whole weekend of learning new tricks, watching shows, hanging out with other magicians etc. The Blackpool Magicians Convention is the largest convention in the world and attracts the very best close up magicians and stage magicians from all over – it’s also nice that the general public pretty much get a weekend off table magicians asking them to pick a card. Unless you are in Blackpool of course. I love it – but if you are not obsessed with magic, then I suggest avoiding Blackpool at all costs next weekend!

So, on Saturday 30th January 2010, I was a finalist in the very prestigious competition The Hackney Empire New Act of The Year. Now most of the acts that enter aren’t actually new acts – ie they haven’t just been going for a year, most have been going for at least 18 months. Some for years.

I didn’t win. But the standard was so high with straight stand ups, character acts and music acts (I was the only magician) that I imagine that the judges had a tough choice placing the top 3 or 4 acts (apart from the winner, Abandoman – quite a clear winner in most peoples opinion).

Previous finalists include Russell Brand, Catherine Tate, Harry Hill, Tim Vine, Eddie Izzard, Simon Amstell and Daniel Kitson – and non of them won either! Losing is the new winning.

This is the only major competition I’ve entered in recent times (I was once the Long Riston Tennis Boys Champion in 1988) but I enjoyed the whole experience and might do another in the future. Watch this space.

Just for posterity – here is a full list of competitors ABANDOMAN / ALAN HUDSON / ALYSSIA KYRIA (ARIADNE THE GREEK WAG) / ANDREW RYAN / DAVE GIBSON / FRISKY & MANNISH / GIACINTO PALMIERI / INEL TOMLINSON / JO SELBY (TATIANA) / LUKE BENSON / LUKE GRAVES / NATHANIEL METCALF / RICHARD RYCROFT / SIR HAROLD HACKNEY (THE ALTERNATIVE MAYOR OF LONDON) / VAL LEE

Quick snap from the KFC X-Mas awards dinner. I always look like an idiot in action shots