Magicians in Westminster

Oliver Graham Smith provides magic and mind reading shows throughout London and the wider United Kingdom. With a mixture of fast-paced sleight of hand, visual tricks, close-up magic and table magic, Oliver Graham Smith provides magical shows which are suitable for both adults and children in a variety of styles suitable for birthdays, weddings, corporate events or other memorable occasions.

What do you need to know from an organiser in order to provide a comprehensive quote?

In order to provide an accurate quote, a magician needs to know a number of things such as; the date, time, venue, type of event and number of guests. As some clients have never hired a magician before, all the information provided can help the performer recommend what type of magic would be best for the occasion. For example, if you're hosting a small party for around 10 people then a stand-up performance for all the guests for 30 minutes might be the best option. In contrast, if you're organising a corporate event with a sit-down meal and 200 attendees then the service provided would be very different. I would recommend some close-up magic at the beginning as it acts as a good ice breaker and then once the guests are seated I would suggest some table magic. I always take the time to understand the needs of my clients and tailor my act to suit their individual requirements.

What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

The main advice I would give is to look at the performer’s style of magic and their reviews. As a host, consider what style of magic you think will add to the atmosphere of your event. Reviews will also give you a good indication of the types of tricks they perform and what events they usually work at.

Another piece of advice I would give is to ask the magician to create a special piece of magic in advance. The magician can then create a special trick if someone is celebrating their birthday or a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary.

Please tell us a little bit about how and why you started the business.

I started performing magic when I was 10 years old after seeing a close-up magician at a party. I was so amazed by the tricks that I followed him around the entire night and watched him entertain the other guests! Every since then I have loved performing magic and after many years perfecting my act I started doing corporate gigs and private parties. As a member of the Magic Circle, it's important for me to perform magic in an exciting and modern way.

Please tell us about a booking you've had through Add to Event, how did it go? Would you recommend us to others?

I was hired for a 30th birthday party last year through Add to Event. The birthday party was a BBQ with about 30 guests at host’s house. The reason I enjoyed this event so much was the reactions I received from the adults. One of them was so baffled by a trick that he walked off and didn’t come back for a few minutes. I mostly perform for adults but I also did a little show for the children which they really enjoyed. The event was a success and I received a very nice 5-star review from the hosts (listed under Hailey on my profile). The hosts were so impressed with me that I was hired for their company's Christmas party and was asked to perform at their wedding this year.

I would highly recommend Add to Event as a platform for event organisers. It’s very easy to use, gives the organiser lot of options and allows you pick and choose what will make your event special. I have been a member of Add to Event for over 2 years and I’m very happy with how the platform has evolved and improved.