BEFORE YOU BOOK
Choosing the Right Magician for Your Event
The best entertainment should fit naturally into your event — not compete with it.
When somebody asks Matthew about hiring a magician, the first question isn't simply “How many guests?” It's about understanding the event itself, the people attending and the atmosphere you want to create.
A wedding drinks reception needs something very different from an after-dinner corporate show. A relaxed private dinner for ten guests shouldn't be treated like a room of 300 people — and an audience enjoying conversation shouldn't suddenly be forced to stop everything for a show.
Weddings, corporate dinners and private parties all have a different natural rhythm.
The style of magic can be adapted to different ages, personalities and audiences.
Good timing can make the difference between entertainment that interrupts and entertainment that lifts the event.
With more than 20 years of professional experience, Matthew can recommend whether close-up magic, a cabaret performance or a combination of the two will work best for your particular event.
Discuss Your EventAWARD-WINNING • EXPERIENCED • PROFESSIONAL
Hire a Magician for Your Event
The right magic, at the right moment.
From weddings and private parties to corporate events, Matthew Garrett combines award-winning magic with over 20 years of experience to help you choose entertainment that works perfectly for your guests and your event.
Check AvailabilityCHOOSING THE FORMAT
Close-Up Magic or a Show?
The question isn't which is better. It's which will work better for your event.
Sometimes guests want to mingle, talk and enjoy entertainment around them. At other events, there is a natural moment to bring everybody together for one shared performance. Choosing the right format makes an enormous difference.
CLOSE-UP MAGIC
When Guests Want to Mingle
Close-up magic is ideal when people are already socialising. Matthew moves naturally between small groups or tables, creating moments of surprise without stopping the event.
Works particularly well: drinks receptions, weddings, networking events, dinners and private parties.
FLEXIBLE ENTERTAINMENT
When the Event Needs Flexibility
Corporate events can change pace throughout the evening. Close-up magic can entertain during drinks or around tables, while a short finale can bring everybody together later.
Works particularly well: company celebrations, Christmas parties, awards evenings and corporate dinners.
CABARET SHOW
When Everyone Should Watch Together
If your event has a dedicated performance slot, a cabaret show creates one shared experience for the whole room. Matthew's material can work in surprisingly compact spaces and can also be performed surrounded when required.
Works particularly well: after-dinner entertainment, awards evenings, private dinners and dedicated show slots.
Don't make your guests stop enjoying the event just to accommodate the entertainment.
If people are happily talking over drinks, close-up magic can add energy without interrupting them. If there is already a natural 30-minute performance slot, that's when a show can make sense. The entertainment should fit the event — not the other way around.
Not sure which format would work best? Tell Matthew what you're planning.
Ask Matthew's AdviceBEFORE YOU BOOK
What Should You Look For When Hiring a Magician?
Anyone can advertise themselves as a magician. Choosing someone to entertain your guests deserves a little more consideration.
A polished website and a few photographs don't necessarily tell you what somebody is like in front of a real audience. Before booking, look for evidence of experience, professional standards and the ability to perform the type of entertainment your event actually needs.
A USEFUL STARTING POINT
Check Their Professional Credentials
Membership of The Magic Circle is a useful indication that a performer has reached a recognised standard. Applicants have to demonstrate their ability before being admitted as members.
Matthew is a Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star and winner of The Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year. These aren't invented marketing awards — they reflect standards recognised within the profession.
Watch Them Actually Perform
Showreels are useful, but look beyond a collection of quick reactions. Can the magician show genuine footage of themselves performing for real guests?
If you're making an important booking, it's perfectly reasonable to ask to see longer or less heavily edited performance footage.
You should be able to see how they interact with people, not simply whether people clap afterwards.Look for Real Experience
Performing a few strong tricks is very different from entertaining an entire wedding, corporate dinner or private party.
An experienced professional should have enough material and versatility to adapt to different groups without repeating the same performance to guests who have already seen it.
Experience becomes particularly important when timings, audiences or circumstances change unexpectedly.Make Sure They're Right for Your Guests
Different audiences respond to different styles of entertainment. Some guests love mind reading and sleight of hand; others respond better to highly visual, relaxed magic.
Matthew adapts the material to the people in front of him rather than expecting every guest to respond in exactly the same way.
Nobody should feel embarrassed, pressured or uncomfortable simply because they've been chosen to participate.CLOSE-UP • CABARET • STAGE
Can They Adapt If the Event Changes?
A performer who only specialises in one very narrow format may struggle if the circumstances change. A close-up magician isn't automatically an experienced cabaret performer — and the reverse is equally true.
Matthew's experience covers close-up magic, table magic and professional stand-up and cabaret performances. That flexibility means the entertainment can be adapted to the event rather than forcing the event around the magician.
His cabaret material can work in intimate surroundings or for audiences of several hundred, with equipment designed to set up and clear quickly when an event has speeches, awards or other entertainment to follow.
BEFORE YOU BOOK, ASK YOURSELF:
Can I see genuine performance footage?
Do they have independent reviews?
Do they have recognised professional credentials?
Are they appropriately insured?
Can they adapt to different guests and age groups?
Do they understand how your type of event works?
You're welcome to ask before making any decision.
THE RIGHT ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE EVENT
One Style of Magic Doesn't Fit Every Event
A good magician doesn't simply arrive with a set of tricks. The entertainment should be chosen around your guests, your timings and the atmosphere you want to create.
WEDDINGS
Let the Day Breathe
At a wedding, the entertainment should complement the day rather than take it over. Close-up magic works particularly well after the ceremony while photographs are taking place and guests are enjoying the drinks reception.
It can then continue around the tables during the wedding breakfast, making sure every group gets to experience the magic without asking everyone to stop what they're doing.
CORPORATE EVENTS
Create Energy & Conversation
Corporate entertainment needs to suit the structure of the event. At a drinks reception or networking event, close-up magic gives people an immediate shared experience and helps start conversations.
For dinners and awards evenings, entertainment can be timed around the meal, speeches and presentations rather than competing with them.
PRIVATE PARTIES
Entertainment Without Taking Over
Even a very small gathering can work beautifully with a magician, provided the performance is paced correctly.
For an intimate dinner or house party, Matthew can perform in short, relaxed bursts throughout the event, giving guests plenty of time to talk, eat and enjoy the occasion between performances.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Sometimes the Best Advice Is What Not to Book
Two forms of entertainment happening at the same time can work against each other. A magician performing while a singing waiter, speech or another featured act is taking place means neither gets the audience's full attention.
Likewise, guests generally don't want somebody performing directly to them while they're eating a mouthful of food. Good entertainment is as much about timing as the performance itself.
With over 20 years of professional experience, Matthew can recommend where magic will add the most to your event — and where it is better to leave space for something else.
Not sure what type of magic would work best? Tell Matthew about your event and he'll recommend the most suitable option.
Discuss Your EventPROFESSIONAL • RELIABLE • STRAIGHTFORWARD
From Enquiry to Your Event
Once you've decided Matthew is the right magician for your event, the booking process is simple.
Everything is confirmed clearly in writing, the important details are checked before the event, and Matthew arrives knowing exactly what has been agreed.
PEACE OF MIND
Your Entertainment Is Taken Care Of
Hiring an entertainer means trusting somebody with an important part of your event. Matthew's approach is professional, organised and straightforward from the first enquiry onwards.
Arrangements are confirmed in advance, insurance documentation can be supplied when required, and final timings are checked before the day.
FOUR SIMPLE STEPS
What Happens When You Book?
Tell Matthew About Your Event
Send the date, venue and type of event. Matthew will confirm availability and the entertainment you've discussed.
Secure Your Date
A £100 deposit secures the booking and you'll receive written confirmation of the agreed arrangements.
Final Details Are Checked
Venue, arrival time and performance arrangements are checked before the event so everything is clear.
Enjoy Your Event
Matthew arrives prepared and takes care of the entertainment, leaving you free to enjoy the occasion with your guests.
Check availability or ask a question before making any decision.
REAL PERFORMANCES • REAL EVENTS • REAL REACTIONS
See Matthew In Action
A polished website can tell you plenty. Seeing a magician actually perform tells you much more.
Watch Matthew performing at real events and see the different styles of entertainment available for weddings, corporate events and private celebrations.
WEDDINGS • PARTIES • CORPORATE
Close-Up Magic
Interactive magic performed directly for small groups. Ideal for drinks receptions, dinners, networking events and parties where guests still want to mingle and talk.
Explore Close-Up Magic →WEDDINGS • HOSTING • MAGIC
Wedding Host & Magician
Award-winning magic combined with professional wedding hosting, helping your day flow naturally while keeping guests relaxed, involved and entertained.
Explore Wedding Magic →STAGE • CABARET • AFTER DINNER
Stage & Cabaret Magic
A shared performance for the whole room. Perfect when your event has a natural entertainment slot and you want to bring everybody together for one memorable show.
Explore Stage Shows →NOT SURE WHAT TO BOOK?
Tell Matthew about your event.
Every event is different. Tell Matthew what you're planning, your guest numbers and timings, and he'll recommend the style of entertainment that will work best.