Here are a few shots from the fantastic www.benjaminglean.com taken at the Jake Networking evening at Penhaligons in Burlington Arcade, London last week. Good fun was had by all and was nice to work with Alison Russell the silhouette artist. Excellent stuff

Had a great week this week in Berlin working for Microsoft with a team of excellent magicians. Microsoft were so pleased they hired us for their VIP party on the last night in one of Berlin’s super clubs.

From left to right – Alex Crow, Urban Magik, Marc Spelmann, Noel Qualtier, Sav, Ben ‘Cardstar’ Earl and me.

Here’s a little ad I did to help advertise a new self-assembly box from Fellowes. I’ll be very honest, I think the naff tuxedo helped – I don’t normally go down this well!

Just received a nice pic of me (from jameshaydockphotography.com) doing the legendary trick – Bottle Through Table. It was taken at a wedding that I was at over the weekend. Lots of people and good fun. Father of the Bride Roger just emailed some nice words as well.

For dedicated followers of this site (mainly other magicians who often pinch stuff off me – you know who you are!) – I’ve added some new pictures. Have a look around and you’ll see 3 or 4 new pictures on the main pages. This one is my favourites though

It’s always nice for the ego when people email, after they have paid you, saying that they thought you were great. Here is a couple from this weekend -

“Hi Alan, everyone including myself and Rob thought you was fabulous. Am still checking my ring now to make sure it is mine ha ha. We didn’t mention to anyone that you were coming so it was a nice touch to the night. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big big thank you for being so entertaining and professional on the night…am so pleased we asked you to join us on this special occasion. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you in the future and will do so. Many thanks” Jackie, 50th Birthday Party, Portrait House, Hoylake, Liverpool

and

“Was a fantastic event and everyone was raving about you – you certainly made a great finish to our evening (especially getting Tom to have a bag on his head!) Im collating photos as we speak and I will of course forward these to you! I will be producing a news letter to go out to our attendees early next week and I will ensure that your details are included. Thanks again for a wonderful show” Paula Cooper, Airsys – Warwick Conference Centre

Theft is ripe in the magic world. I mean the theft of routines and ideas – not pinching each others playing cards. The problem with doing someone elses routines are that people who see magicians regularly think that we are all the same – we all do the same tricks, we all say the same things etc. Unfortunately, a lot of the time some of that is true.

I’m very passionate about doing original material that is unique to me – so thought I’d post this link to expose these ‘coincidences’ http://www.twinsmagicians.com/

I get asked to do a lot of charity events and unfortunately I can’t do them all – I say unfortunately, it’s unfortunate that I don’t want to do them. I’m full time and I have to make a living and most charity events are on evenings. I get endless emails asking if I can just spend ‘a few hours’ of my time to do my stuff. Well, a few hours is actually a full evening – most events start between 7pm-8pm so it’s almost impossible to get to another event. If I did all the ones I get asked for – they’d have to set up a new charity for a starving magician.

However, I’ve just come back from a great event from Variety Club of Great Britain. To coincide with 9/11 (today) a load of celebs and other entertainers went to the BGC in London and supported a whole host of charities from the Trade floor. Lots of shouting, energy and sweating – and that was just me.

Jonathan Ross, Alex Ferguson, Donal Macintyre, Anneka Rice, Carol Vorderman, Kate Adie, Natalie Cassidy, some people from The Apprentice and a whole host of other people I didn’t know were there. It was great fun – and on  Friday morning so it didn’t interfere with anything else. They raised around £90,000 last year and hope to do better this year.

I’ll try and get some pics up soon.

Hi Alan,

I would like to thank you for your performance on Saturday night; it was one of the highlights of the whole day and certainly gave everyone something to talk about.

However it did take some people 20 minutes to finish inspecting the tables to find out what happened to that bottle!!

So once again a big thank from myself and Alison for adding a very special and memorable 2 hours to our day.

Many thanks

Marc and Alison Hatfield

Many people ask me if I’ve got any videos online. Well, the answer is I haven’t really. Only a short clip from a show I did at the Edinburgh Festival – but it doesn’t show me busting out any hardcore, sleight of hand type magic that I’d perform at a wedding for instance.

However, I have just filmed an Internet only advert for a large company – so as soon as that comes available, you’ll be the first to know.

Been a great weekend with 2 weddings. First one in York for Debbie and John – great people and really good fun. Debbie just emailed this “Thank you so much for providing entertainment for our guests on Friday, the feedback has been excellent. Can’t even see how you do your tricks on the video footage.”

The 2nd one was in Bedford for Marc and Allison – again, really good fun performing at the tables, between courses of the Wedding Breakfast (my personal favourite time to perform).

If only all jobs could be like this

I’ve realised now I’m rubbish at keeping a blog. Mainly because I don’t think much of what I do is interesting enough to put on the internet. But for the sake of it – I’m going to try and update this at least more regularly than the current 6 month gap I seemed to have given myself since the last one.

July looks like a busy month – I’m in Chester, Gloucester and Birmingham this week and then back up north next week with Skipton, Ilkley and Castleford. I’ll try to remember to report back on interesting happenings at the events.

Hi Alan,

I would like to thank you for your performance on Saturday night; it was one of the highlights of the whole day and certainly gave everyone something to talk about.

However it did take some people 20 minutes to finish inspecting the tables to find out what happened to that bottle!!

So once again a big thank from myself and Alison for adding a very special and memorable 2 hours to our day.

Many thanks

Marc and Alison Hatfield

Just added new comments for a Xmas party I did in Birmingham on my Magician Birmingham page. Click here to take a look – Magician Birmingham Or I’ve copied it here -

“Hi Alan, I have received a few comments for your performance which I thought I would pass on.

‘I think it’s fair to say that Alan was absolutely amazing, particularly
when he passed an empty bottle through our table. I do my own version of
making a pint of lager disappear…’ Ben Leach

‘Karen, I would agree that Alan was excellent. Particularly the card
tricks. If his website advises how to saw your colleagues in half I would
use it’. James Leck

‘ The magician was fantastic, I really liked the idea of him coming to the
tables and his patter with his clients was very comical, very good. I wish I
had a forthcoming event that I could book him for’  Jo Bennett

From my point of view Alan, any body who has mentioned the party has
commented on the magician as been excellent, amazing and how fantastic. We
had a great night and having something ‘different’ definitely added to it.

Kind regards, Karen Pooler, HFC Bank, Birmingham (added December 2008)

For some reason I’m in Birmingham a lot this December – it’s not a bad thing. Often I’m all over the place during X-Mas party period but for whatever reason the good brummies of Birmingham have all got together and decided I’m their man.Last night I did the first of many at the Oceana Night Club (in Birmingham City centre) for students from the University of Birmingham. The room looked really good and the audience were great. Although I have noticed that students are gettting younger – along with Poilceman, Fireman etc etc. It’s an old observation but a true one. Students are still a great audience though – they haven’t been hardened from life yet or been to too many company dinners. Last night, everyone was in good spirits and a great time was had by all. I’ve just had a quick email from Stephanie – the lady that booked me for last nights event.”Just a quick email to say thank you for an absolutely outstanding performance, none of us have seen magic like that, you thoroughly astounded us!!! I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we enjoyed your magic! Thank you very much” Stephanie Taylor, University of Birmingham

Well you asked for it – and here it is. A YouTube clip of the Great Hudsoni. I’m planning to do a proper promo
at some point soon – but here is a little taster of what you can expect from me.

Hull has got a festival, 2 weeks of comedy in Hull.

As, dear reader, I’m sure you’ve already seen on the front page of my site in the new News section, I’ll be appearing at the Buzz Comedy Club on 23rd October.

But the real reason for this post is to draw your attention to this

Live Naked idiots – all friends of mine and will be appearing on 24th + 26th October, Haworth Arms.

It made me laugh anyway….

For those avid viewers of my site (I know who you are) you’ll have noticed that I’ve swapped a couple of photos round so it all makes sense now. Also, changed some of the content to make it more user friendly.

You may have also noticed that I’ve added a ‘News’ section on the front page. This will contain any live dates that you, the public can come and see. It may also contain other exciting news bit as and when they come up. I intend to update this monthly at least, so definitely worth checking back for all your latest Hudson news

It’s been a long time since my last post so I thought I’d enter something mainly to let you all know I’m still alive an that!

Edinburgh went very well. We sold out 86% of all available seats – a great achievement by Edinburgh standards. The show went well and we both had a great time. Was nice to see a few magicians in the audience each night. Always interesting to see who turns up to these things.

In September I went to Athens, France, Bristol, Manchester, Harrogate, Sheffield, Swindon, Bridgnorth, Grantham, Matlock, South Cave and a few other place as well. I’ve just comeback from the International Brotherhood of Magicians magic convention in Eastbourne. 4 days of magic and a chance to swap ideas with my fellow magi. Great.

October is slightly less hectic so am working on some new stand up material. For my loyal fans – expect new tricks and jokes soon

For those who have tried to book tickets in the past and found the Edinburgh ticket box office down (they’ve had massive problems this year) you’ll be pleased to hear it’s all up and running.

If you’re in Edinburgh during the festival between 17th – 25th Aug then here’s the link you need http://www.edfringe.com/shows/detail.php?action=shows&id=1611

See you there

This weekend I went to a wedding near Kings Lynn then straight to London for a private party in trendy Wandsworth. Both went well and I had a great time. Just received this email from Roy the father of the bride from the wedding.

“What can I say, Thank you so much for helping to make my daughters

wedding a more memorable event. You did a fantastic job and left my

guests stunned, perplexed, somewhat slightly disturbed, amazed and some

believing it could only be magic. Well, the effect you had can only be

described as Magic.

I will make sure I book you early when my youngest decides to get

married.” Roy 

I know this blog is been read all over the world and many people get excited by a little mention. But who would have thought people would complain that they hadn’t been mentioned? I received an email from Derren Litten (Derren as in Brown, not as in Day. And Litten as in moaner). He wondered where his mention was. You’d think having been nominated for a Bafta for writing ITV’s hit comedy Benidorm and been on Tv regularly for the past 15 years, also writing and starring in The Catherine Tate Show – his ego would have been massaged enough. Apparently not. So here it is a Darren Litten mention (spelt that wrong just to annoy him)

What’s this?  A double post? You wait forever and then two come along at once. Like buses etc etc

Last week myself, Noely Qualter and Rob James all went over to perform at the new House of Illusion run by Rodney James Piper (RJP). We went last year but 2008 saw a new and improved venue. It looks fantastic. Loads of illusions that decorate the bar and theatre area and the whole place has a really good magic feel to it.

If you are going to Salou then it’s definitely worth a visit – some good magicians there (Matt Edwards, Rick Green and Becki, Matt Coleman etc). We had a great time performing there and I should be going back at some point this year if all goes to plan.

This weekend I’m performing in Hull, Ilkley and Birmingham – if anything out of the ordinary happens you will be the first to know loyal blog follower…

Many people email me asking where they can come and see me perform (exchange the word many for Two). Well, the time has come my friends. I will be performing along side Scotland’s top magician, Kevin McMahon (Faking It magician – turned from a science geek in to a magician geek). The show is called Magic To Get Girls By.

It’s going to be on at the Zoo Venue (near the Pleasance) Magic to get girls by
for full details. It’s running between 17th – 25th August with tickets at a modest £8 (£7 conc).

As well as my own comedy cabaret act we will also be performing a few double act type items – we’re working hard on it right now and it’s looking pretty good, if I do say so myself.

The premise of the show is that we are both single and we thought putting on a show in Edinburgh would be a good way to meet some girls. Nothing sexier than a card trick right? More realistically the show shows how bad we are at chatting up women with magic – not as easy as you might think. Or is it?

So if you are planning on making a trip to the festival please come along – should be great fun. Loads of other magic shows on this year so it could turn in to a mini convention. Can’t wait

My name is Alan. My last post was on 21st January. I’m very ashamed of myself. I’m going to try regular posts for a while – but obviously this could be the last one for another 3 months so who knows. Anyway, just added a new comment to my site for a nice job I did in Oxford – I’ve put it on my Oxford page (where else?). I just wanted to write and thank you for entertaining us all at the Finance & Commercial Forum in Oxford last week! With over 80 people to please the magic you performed at tables between courses worked really well and the show after dinner was a great end to the evening. Feedback from all attendees was excellent, would definitely book you again. Rebecca Henry, Siemens PLC

A nice email just came in – and I know you all like to hear it here first…

“Alan, just a quick thank you note to say well done and many thanks for keeping our large team superbly entertained with both the close up magic sessions and the group show. We have had great feedback from the team and no doubt we will see you in Manchester in due course.” John Sodhi, Cooperative Financial Services, Manchester

“Hi Alan, I wanted to write to you to say how fantastic you were at our wedding – literally everyone has been talking about it! It was really excellent and god knows how you do everything but it must be magic! I am sure that my father has been in touch with you as he was talking about his 60th in May that he was interested in … I shall leave that to him to organise ! I am so sorry that I have taken so long to write to you – excuses range from honeymoon, christmas and generally being a little rubbish. But better late then never. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to people in the future, I am very glad that we got you – you were brilliant.Thanks again and happy new year” Camilla, Chiddingfold, Surrey

More Haste Less Speed – I forgot the date – MONDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2007

As a special blog friend, you are invited to attend Hush Hush. A new alternative cabaret evening featuring magic, music, comedy and burlesque style performances. Rob James and myself decided there was nothing like this in Hull so we’re doing it ourselves. Tickets are £6/£5 and should be a great night. We’ve booked top acts from all over the UK including magicians, singers, escapologists and a burlesque striptease artist- and we are personally very excited about it. Tell your friends and feel free to dress for the occasion… Haworth Arms, Cottingham Road, Hull – Doors 7.30pm/Starts 8.15pm