Magic Circle Member · Manchester Magician · Mentalist · Hypnotist
Manchester Magician & Mentalist for Luxury Events
Sophisticated magic, mentalism and hypnosis for corporate events, trade shows, weddings and private celebrations across Manchester, London and beyond.
Trusted by international brands and private clients
The moment of impossibility
Reactions that speak louder than any description
Magic, mentalism and hypnosis — designed around your event
James Anthony is a Manchester born magician, mentalist and stage hypnotist, and a member of The Magic Circle. He grew up in Marple on the edge of the city, gave his first paid performance there at fourteen, and is now based a few minutes away in Cheshire.
He works as a close-up magician moving between tables and receptions, as a corporate magician at conferences and trade shows, as a wedding magician through drinks receptions and evening celebrations, and as a stage hypnotist when an event wants one show for the whole room. Most bookings combine two of those.
Before that came a British ice skating title in 1997, several years performing an illusion show at sea for Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O and Seabourn, and television appearances alongside Brian Conley and Paddy McGuinness. He has been the Manchester United Christmas entertainer three years running.
Services
Entertainment shaped around your guests
Corporate Events
Close-up magic, mentalism and hypnosis for conferences, gala dinners, awards evenings and client entertainment.
Trade Shows
Custom magic designed to attract visitors to your stand, start conversations and make your brand memorable.
Luxury Private Events
Discreet, sophisticated entertainment for private dinners, villas, yachts and VIP celebrations.
Weddings
Elegant magic and mentalism for destination weddings, drinks receptions and evening celebrations.
In action
Every audience. Every reaction. Real.
In their words
What clients say
“That is simply impossible… your magic is crazy.”
Marouane Fellaini
Manchester United
“Fantastic magic from a superb magician.”
Kevin Griffin
Group Director, Ford of Europe
“Not just a magician… but an exceptional entertainer and people person.”
Jerry Davies
Group Director, Roland DG UK
“Our Christmas party would never have been the same without you.”
Group Director
British Airways
Featured Events
Real events. Real audiences.
Manchester United Christmas Party
Christmas entertainer for players and staff, three years running.
Roland DG, FESPA Barcelona
Brand-integrated trade show magic drawing visitors to the stand.
Manchester Tattoo Show
Stage hypnosis and mind magic to packed crowds in the exhibition hall.
Showreel
How it works
From first call to standing ovation
Discovery Call
A short conversation about your event, guests, venue and objectives.
Tailored Concept
A bespoke performance designed around your audience and event format.
Show Day
Professional delivery that makes the event easy for organisers and unforgettable for guests.
Member of
The Magic Circle
British Champion
Ice Skater, 1997
As seen on
BBC · ITV
Manchester United
3 Years Running
Stage & Cabaret
From intimate close-up to full-scale stage productions
Locations
A Manchester magician who travels, for corporate events and private celebrations across the UK
Born in Manchester, based in Cheshire, and used to covering distance. London bookings are charged at London rates, so hiring a performer from outside the capital costs you nothing extra.
Common questions
Hiring a magician in Manchester
Who is the best magician in Manchester?
James Anthony is one of Manchester's best known professional magicians. He was born in Marple just outside Manchester, is a member of The Magic Circle, and was the Manchester United Christmas entertainer three years running. He performs close-up magic, stage mentalism and hypnosis at corporate events, weddings and private parties across Manchester and Cheshire.
How much does it cost to hire a magician in Manchester?
The cost of hiring a magician in Manchester depends on the length of the performance, the number of guests and whether you want close-up magic, a stage show or both. James Anthony quotes each event individually rather than publishing a fixed price list, and there is no travel charge for events in Manchester or Cheshire. Send your date, venue and guest numbers for a clear quote.
What is the difference between a close-up magician and a stage magician?
A close-up magician performs for small groups at arm's length, moving between tables or around a drinks reception, using cards, coins and borrowed objects. A stage magician or mentalist performs one show to the whole room from a stage, which suits awards evenings and after-dinner slots. James Anthony does both, and many events use close-up magic during the reception followed by a stage set after dinner.
What areas does James Anthony cover?
James Anthony is based in Cheshire, minutes from Manchester, and covers the whole of the UK. There is no travel charge for Manchester and Cheshire. He performs regularly in London at London rates, so booking a magician from outside the capital costs no more, and he travels for destination events in Europe.
Is a stage hypnotist show suitable for a corporate event?
Yes, provided it is run properly. James Anthony is a stage hypnotist as well as a magician and tailors the show to the audience, keeping it comedic without making volunteers look foolish, which matters when colleagues have to work together the next morning. He trained in hypnosis, hypnotic language and NLP through Dr Richard Bandler and NLP Life.
How far in advance should you book a wedding magician?
Most couples book a wedding magician six to twelve months ahead. Saturdays in summer and dates in December go first, because December is also corporate Christmas party season. If your date is close, it is still worth asking, as gaps do come up.
Has James Anthony appeared on television?
Yes. James Anthony has appeared on Let Me Entertain You with Brian Conley and Take Me Out with Paddy McGuinness, along with other BBC and ITV appearances. Before television he spent several years performing his illusion show at sea for Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O and Seabourn.
Which companies has James Anthony performed for?
James Anthony has performed for Manchester United, Manchester City, British Airways, Ford of Europe, Roland DG, HP, Virgin, Vodafone, Xerox, O2 and Medacs Healthcare, among others. Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United described his magic as "simply impossible".
Planning a corporate event, wedding or private celebration?
Book a short discovery call to discuss your audience, event format and the experience you want to create.