All the hard work of Hallidays social committee and the generosity of their team members paid off last Friday when over £1,200 was raised from their Casino night.
Casino International transformed Hallidays largest meeting room and over 35 team members played with the chips they were given throughout the evening. The money from any additional chips purchased was also donated to the charity. Local magician James Anthony moved from group to group entertaining everyone during the evening with his superb tricks.

Throughout the weeks leading up to the event, the social committee worked tirelessly contacting local firms for donations to Hallidays raffle which was drawn at the Casino night. These prizes included a signed City shirt and shorts, signed United football, 2 separate weeks at the companies Bulgaria apartment, tickets for ‘One Direction’, a year’s supply of Jaffa Cakes and many other prizes which Hallidays were extremely grateful for. Even a fantastic cake was donated and decorated in aid of the event by Costco.

Earlier that week a group of Team members from Hallidays also helped at the resident’s end of term Easter party after work. This included helping the residents with lots of exciting activities such as Easter bonnet making, pass the parcel and pin the tail on the cat. The evening was a great success; Denise Paver, Volunteer Coordinator, had this to say:

“Thank you so much for joining the Easter Party and thank you to all your lovely colleagues for giving up their precious time we are really grateful.”

4 of Hallidays team members are walking the Great Wall of China in October and hope to raise over £10,000 through fundraising which will also include a Spinathon, inviting Posh Pancakes to Hallidays where a donation will be made for every pancake purchased, ‘Ladies nights’ and many other fund raising ideas.

For more details visit: http://www.seashelltrust.org.uk/news/hallidays-raises-over-%C2%A31-200-seashell-trust

If you need a Caricaturist for your next event then you can find his youtube account at: http://www.youtube.com/user/sassysteveartist

For the UK’s No.1 Manchester Magician Click Here

Well why not!

In 2010 I appeared on Take Me Out series 2 as a contestant… It was an amazing experience from start to finish and I thought I had better write a blog on the whole event even though it is quite some time since the whole experience.

Many people ask me how I appeared on the show and what on earth possessed me!

It was a combination of many things that made it all come together.  Firstly a really great friend of mine was having a few drinks with someone quite high up in the production company for Take Me Out.  I had told her that I applied but a little too late and she said to give her 10 minutes and she will call me back.  Shortly after I received a call saying she could probably get me a last minute audition!

The next day I went to the Plaza Hotel in Manchester for an audition.. and a few card tricks later they said I would hear from them… and I guess I expected to (know I shouldn’t) to receive a call as everything went amazing.

Luckily I did receive that call, and before I knew it I was thinking about what I could perform on Take Me Out to entertain the girls and to make sure that I do not get a blackout (most important!).  I wanted to prove to others that not all magicians are weird and lack social skills! (magicians will kill me for saying that but it can be true!)  As my assistant Joy says… I am the first normal magician she ever met!

I can’t say I didn’t like the show either.. and I always enjoy the experience and publicity that is achieved from appearing on television.  There are 3 reasons I wanted to go on the show.

1. I was single and wanted to meet someone
2. I knew it would be good for publicity and get me many shows booked in
3. I wanted to come down the love lift and see all those girls looking my way!

I packed my suitcase and travelled to Kent where we were to start filming for the day.  The suitcase was ready for travelling abroad just incase I don’t get a blackout and get a date!  Upon arrival I met several of the runners as and then was introduced to the other 4 lads that were to appear on the same show as me.  All in all they seemed a nice bunch of lads and we all got on reasonably well.

We were all a little nervous as we were being quizzed backstage in a roll playing manner as to what to replies to give to the girls under difference circumstances and comments given. Luckily I didn’t need many of these as it all went pretty smoothly and nobody threw me any really challenging comments or abuse thank goodness!

We were taken 1 at a time to rehearse on stage with Paddy and the crew which was an amazing experience and showed him a few card tricks.  Once I got the lighting right for my particular piece of magic I was taught how to come down the love lift and where to stand and then taken backstage again.

Paddy is exactly how you would expect him to be…  He was friendly and polite, and most importantly liked magic.

Backstage I noticed the crew telling the lads what they had to wear.. and if one person wore black then the next couldn’t etc…  I wanted to make sure they do not tell me to change my outfit, as I wanted to look good!  Standing my ground I just about managed to stay in the outfit I picked wearing my friend’s Vivienne Westwood harry hill collared shirt!

I had many months to prepare what I was going to perform on stage…  At first I was going to perform a really large illusion called Bump In The Night.. performed and made famous by Hanz Klok.  Then mostly to do with budget I decided to perform a classic of magic called the “Dancing Cane” with a lighted cane.

Although a very popular and in many ways over used magic trick amongst magicians, it went down really well.

The crew prepared my microphone and created a real buz before I heard Paddy say.. and our next lad to come down the lift….  By this time for some reason I wasn’t nervous, although my adrenaline was running strong.

The most important thing I said to myself before I came on stage was that I want to be “in the moment” and really aware of everything that is going on!  You know sometimes you go through parts of your life on autopilot… like driving from A-B in a car and forgetting the journey.  This is especially the case when doing something really important, so I wanted to make sure I was aware of every tiny detail.

I came down the lift to my chosen piece… “Love In An Elevator” by Aerosmith which I still wreckon to this day is the best choice for the show EVER!

All I remember is being completely overwhelmed by the girls and the atmosphere and also knowing that 2 great friends Simon and Lucy were in the audience! Although I couldn’t spot them I walked from one side of the stage to the other saying “Hi” to the girls while trying to see if there are any I would really like to go on a date with.

It was useless.. I couldn’t focus and just let myself go with the moment.  I won’t go through every detail, but after my 2 videos and my performance I still had about 12 lights on which was AMAZING!  NO BLACKOUT!

Luckily they didn’t secretly interview my father or friends otherwise I might have had a lot less.. but I did try to control this!

The next part… right well effectively I made a lapse in judgement at the very end.  I had no idea how long the girls had been on the show for.  For myself this is the first time we have ever met the girls and know nothing about them.  At the end I was caught between 2 girls, one on either side.  I was attracted to both and really liked the Irish accent!  For some unknown reason, I thought Yvonne, was just after a date and not serious at the time and the girl on my right was nervous.. you could see it in her eyes.   I picked Ellie.. the girl on the right.. not realising Yvonne had been on the show from the very 1st episode and never quite been picked!

To this day I know I would have had fun and a laugh with Yvonne and the good old Irish accent but hey.. what’s done is done.

After we disappeared together we spoke very briefly and then were split apart by the runners ready to see each other the next time on our date abroad.

The atmosphere and feelings were amazing and I loved every minute of being up on stage! I guess like seals live for fish, I live for stage and that feeling that you get.

After all four of the lads (who all got dates) were taken to a hotel where we had a few drinks and I ended up hypnotising “Matt” who turned out to be incredibly suggestible!  I feel terrible.. I had him shouting, singing YMCA, sticking to chairs, seeing everyone naked amongst many of the usual hypnotic scenarios.  Then I was asked by the producer to hypnotise him..  I couldn’t however and I think I must have offended him a little.. but this was because I don’t hypnotise unless they have either had no, or very little alcohol.

The next day at 8am we flew to Fernando’s!  and arrived at 8pm… expecting to be able to enjoy our night a little with a start of about 9am the next day.. How wrong was I.  6am was the wakeup time!  (the lad’s and the girls are in completely different hotels that are a secret!)

I am taken to a remote area and meet my date on camera.  Although we could see each other in the distance we are made to go quite close, turn our backs and then it is made to look like a genuine (oh what a surprise seeing you here) moment!.

Our adventure for the day was Donutting on the back of a motorboat.  It was great fun, although it was hard to get to know Ellie with the TV cameras on us all the time.

The best way to put it is, we did not get on that well!

Later that evening we had a meal and the television people throughout the day were saying to be honest and tell her if don’t like and all sorts.  They were trying to incite me in a way to say things on camera which I would regret.. and I unfortunately did but nothing too bad! Inbetween the filming towards the end, I was unfortunately getting on better with one of the runner’s who I helped remove a fear of swimming in deep water through hypnosis.

Apparently the date just came across as very funny, but unfortunately there was no spark between us, especially after I learned she was only 19 (me being 29).

After 7pm in the evening we were finally released and allowed to have our own night out. It was really interesting hearing all the other lad’s stories… especially the one where one of them admits to having a girlfriend back at home and he has done it all just for publicity also!  The  weird thing is the girl he dated found out about this and was of course very annoyed… and yet they were holding hands on the plane on the way home before he got picked up by his real girlfriend.

The next morning we were in the queue for the flights… all the lads about 30 people back in a queue from the girls.. and nobody wanted to go over and say hello and vice versa!

After many awkward glances and 15 minutes one of the guys who actually got on well with his date went over to talk…  Then the weirdest thing happened.  we all got on the plane and shared seats right next to each other which was very very uncomfortable.

I couldn’t wait to get off the flight and go home.. unfortunately that was short lived.. We arrived into Heathrow where I specifically reminded the runner to bring my expensive magic equipment so I could go straight home.  Unfortunately she forgot, so 3 hours later I begin my trip home after picking them up.  A whole 14 hours later I arrive back at my house in Manchester… with memories that I would never… NEVER FORGET!

One of the date’s i’m looking forward to most would be 2 days in a row for “The Fed” a real worthy charity all about helping people in need, as well as a car dealership, Cyprus and New Years Eve ! I knew there was no chance of a New Year’s sitting by the fire… that’s if I even had a fire!

If you are in need of a magician for your next event look no further and get in touch.

I was asked to perform at Stirling Castle… a most magnificent castle which is hired quite a bit for corporate events and weddings.

After spending the afternoon in the local area of Stirling I was then picked up to go and perform at the castle..  It was simply stunning in the dark.  The outdoor lighting and atmosphere was electric, as I was guided into the room of entertainers.  Everyone was great and I was working alongside two contortionists, an aerialist and a fellow magician.

I began to entertaining one of the long tables… performing many such miracles as the Haunted Deck, numerous card effects, as well as my special brand of magic and hypnosis. After an hour I then moved to the back of the room to watch the entrancing and traditional bearing of the haggis!  Although I didn’t actually get to try any of the Haggis.. it did look fantastic and I definitely would have!  Then after a little more performing we were guided upstairs for a nice meal accompanied with delicious red wine and then a balcony view of the aerialist inside a large clear balloon.

It was certainly a night to remember, and here are just some of the pictures.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle

After the event the guests were taken outside to hear a wonderful rendition by a band of bag pipers!  I love that sound!

Outside Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle

Yesterday evening we entertained at Freshwaters near Weymouth.  On Arriving the stage was fabulous, as it revolved electronically.  This made it so easy to get in and set up, and moments before our show a button was pressed and the stage revolved around.. Now that’s magic!  We were greeted by the entertainment manager, or host, or… to be honest I haven’t a clue what exactly he was.  To say he was quirky would be an understatement.  A little odd and annoying before our show, but we did our show, went down great as usual (without sounding arrogant!), packed away quickly and headed back to the caravan.  After 3 hours of internet work, (yes there was signal and internet just about!), and removing many spiders webs and spiders, I went to sleep, only to awake to beautiful sunshine and hot weather.

The views here are magnificent, so I decided to take a walk to the beach which was long and drawn out with a lovely shore line.  After noseying at a few more caravans, where some people obviously live all year around, I made my way to the shop to buy the ever important milk for a delicious morning cup of tea!

Today we must check into a B&B that our agent set up for us due to no room in the caravan for this evening, which is a little annoying in some respect, but better in the fact that I can get a full English breakfast in the morning!

Well that’s enough for my blog so far.  Definitely more to come as my performances take me around the world.

James Anthony Wow's the Trade Show Visitors for Medacs Healthcare

James Anthony is well known and sought after for his corporate trade-show style magic.  Recently James performed for Medacs, who are a leading healthcare staffing company.

The performances went down superbly, with great feedback from Medacs and everyone who visited the stand over the 2 day period.

If you are searching for the perfect magician for your next trade show event, then think nothing other than James Anthony.

Entertaining Gary Rhodes

When Gary Rhodes appeared on the P&O Oriana, I went to get a book signing for some of my family and friends.  He seemed really friendly and when asking me what I do onboard, I mentioned magic, and that was it!  He had to see a trick, so I baffled him with a couple of pieces of magic, and left with my signed books.  I’m not sure of the people in the massive queue behind me were happy with me taking up his time or not, but it was a fun day.

3 Mobile magic Performance

3 Mobile were stunned with a fantastic array of magic for a random 3 Mobile promotion.  I walked around the site entertaining people left right and center bemusing them with sheer miracles… it’s good being a magician!