An interview with a Magician

Jun 17, 2020 | Wedding advice & ideas

 

Today on the ‘An interview with’ blog series we are chatting with no other than Nick Crown an Essex based magician. I first worked with Nick a few years back on Georgia and Andy’s beautiful wedding day at Moreve’s barn.

Both myself and Nick are proudly recommended suppliers at The Compasses at Pattiswick so we often get to catch up on their wedding open days, I always love hearing Nick’s latest stories and he never fails to make my laugh so I was delighted when he said he’d love to take part in the interview!

Thank you Nick for taking the time for being part of the interview series I loved reading through your answers. If you’re currently looking for a magician for your wedding day I’m sure Nick would love to hear from you, you can get in touch with him via his website here.

Essex wedding magician ‘Nick Crown’ answers your magic related questions:

TELL US YOUR STORY

Like most kids I was into magic around 6/7 years old, my dad used to own a butchers in Gants Hill and opposite was a Magic shop called ‘Stacey’s Magic Palace’, I used to spend a lot of time in there watching and buying professional tricks at a young age. That’s what drew me in I think. I did my first show at primary school and just stuck with it! When I left high school I worked as Magic demonstrator in Harrods and Hamleys and ended up managing the team there. I did my first paid private booking when I was 16. Left the demonstrating job and the rest is history! I imagine my first wedding I did was around 20 years ago! 

WHERE ARE YOU BASED AND WHERE DO YOU COVER?

I’m based in Chelmsford but I’m happy to travel anywhere. The furthest I’ve been for a gig is Dubai!

WHAT PARTS OF THE DAY CAN YOU PROVIDE MAGIC?

Most couples tend to want to fill the gap after the Ceremony during the drinks reception/photos before they sit down for the wedding breakfast, however, having entertainment at the tables between courses or filling that lull immediately after the wedding breakfast also works really well. 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MAGIC?

I would say the magic I perform is a mix of high impact visual tricks and jaw-dropping mind-reading (wow that sounded so much like an advert!). But it’s true!

I guess the more important question is what is my style of performing rather than the magic itself. I’d like to think I’m down to earth, and love to have fun light-hearted banter with your guests. My job is to make sure people are laughing, having fun and also blown away with some great magic! Did I also mention that I offer comedy Pick Pocketing too?! 

HOW MANY EVENTS CAN YOU COVER IN ONE DAY?

Well, I’ve actually covered 4 in one day before however, I will stress that I always leave plenty of time between bookings and never overbook myself!  

Quite often I’m only needed for 1-2 hours which free’s up the rest of my day. I make sure I’m booked for enough time to entertain everyone but I always advise not booking a magician for more time that’s needed as that simply doesn’t work! The last thing everyone wants is a magician constantly revisiting you 5 times over because he has another 3 hours to kill! 

Remember the 2 rules of showbiz:

Rule 1 – Always leave them wanting more!

Rule 2 – 

 

 

ARE YOU REGULARLY LEARNING NEW TRICKS TO BRING TO EVENTS?

Some of the tricks I’m doing now I have been doing for 20 years, that’s how you perfect them and become slick. However, I’m always adding new things to keep them fresh and current.

I have some regular corporate clients who book me on a monthly basis so I always have new material. Quite often I’ve been booked to perform at the bride’s sisters wedding the year after so I make a note in my diary that I would have met a lot of the guests before, I would then make sure I come fully equipped with new material. 

WHAT CAN HAVING A MAGICIAN ADD TO A WEDDING DAY?

A good atmosphere, a perfect ice breaker for your guests and most importantly entertainment!

It’s all about making sure the guests have a great day as well as the bride and groom, plus if your photographer is good they will capture some great reaction shots of your everyone laughing and freaking out! 

ARE YOU IN THE MAGIC CIRCLE AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

I’m not actually in the Circle. This is simply out of choice. It used to be quite old hat, but it has come a long way so may well join one day soon.

The circle is basically a magic club which you pay a membership for, it does require you to ‘prove’ yourself but they do let in many hobbyists as well as pros. I would stress that just because someone is in the circle doesn’t mean they are good! There are many pros and TV magicians that are not part of it. It has however got a lot of history so I should really join as I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and get asked almost every week! 

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MAGICIANS?

There are a few favourites but I would say that David Blaine and Derren Brown both have a massive influence on me and my performance. I was into magic long before Blaine hit the TV, I remember seeing him and thinking, wow, this guy has made magic cool! Before that, it was mainly guys like Paul Daniels on the screen who is a legend and was great at what he did. 

WHAT IS CURRENTLY YOUR FAVOURITE MAGIC TRICK?

Well, my favourite trick the I perform is a mind-reading effect where I can guess the  persons and name of someone you are thinking of. It gets great reactions as it’s so personal. 

WHERE ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING VENUES TO WORK?

I love all the venues I work at but I have a close relationship with The Compasses at Pattiswick, Maidens Barn and The Lion House. They seem to be regulars of mine and the staff there are the best. 

CAN YOU PERFORM TO CROWDS AS WELL AS SMALL GROUPS?

Yes, I offer a Mind Reading Stage Show which is mainly performed at Corporate Events but it’s also part of my VIP package for weddings. The biggest crowd I’ve performed a show for is 1000. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PERFORMING MAGIC?

It’s a passion of mine. I simply live and breathe magic. Always have! I just love looking into things that can’t be explained. But it’s nothing without seeing people react to it. So I guess it has to be watching people react. I’ve had people cuddle me, laugh, run away and even cry (happy tears of course!)! It really can bring out every emotion if it’s done right. 

WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR LATEST UPDATES?

For my latest updates see my Facebook or Instagram or feel free to check out my website.

Want to see who else I interviewed in the ‘An interview with’ series? Read all the posts here.