Meet our Supplier of the Month: Gloucestershire Magician

Each month we like to get to know a supplier even better and bring you snippets of all sorts of things that you wouldn't know about them from their page. This month our supplier of the month is Richard Parsons - Gloucestershire Magician, a multi award-winning magical entertainer that your guests will talk about for weeks, months and years! 

Close-up magic is perfect entertainment for your wedding drinks reception, around the tables during the wedding breakfast, or in the early evening. Richard Parsons, a member of the prestigious Magic Circle, is a talented and charming performer having performed at hundreds of weddings across many years...and trust us, his tricks never fail to impress - my jaw has been left hanging on many occasions!

Let's hear what Richard of Gloucestershire Magician had to say when we quizzed him...

Who’s the magician behind Gloucestershire Magician Ltd, and how did you start out?

I am Richard Parsons, a professional full-time magician specialising in close-up magic and wedding entertainment. Though based in Gloucester, (hence the company name Gloucestershire Magician Ltd), my work takes me all over the UK and even abroad to perform. I perform regularly in Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and around the Bristol area. As for my beginnings - I started magic as an adult when a friend of mine sent me a card trick book and some playing cards…now that hobby has turned into a rewarding full-time career!

Photographer credit: Belle Bespoke Photography

Tell us about The Magic Circle, we are intrigued!

The Magic Circle is a private members club located in London (just behind Euston Station) and is most famous for only allowing people to join after a successful audition. In addition to a fully equipped theatre they have a library and a large museum and there are currently only around 1500 members in the entire world. I passed my audition in 2012, a live audition in front of about 50 magicians, a highlight of my career. Famous members include Prince Charles, Dynamo and Stephen Fry. It is worth noting that you can hire The Magic Circle as a venue, and they do sell public tickets for shows especially around Christmas so it is worth checking their website. On a normal ‘club night’ no muggles are allowed in!

What’s the best bit about your job?

Without a doubt it is the reactions that I get when I perform! If you look at my Instagram or Facebook they are filled with photographs and video clips of guests having a brilliant time…smiling, laughing or just looking shocked and wondering ‘How did you do that?!’.

Every magician lives for that ‘WOW’ moment.

At what stage of a wedding do you recommend that you are involved?

In my view, based on a lot of experience (around 100 weddings a year), the two best times to have close-up magic would be either:

• The Drinks Reception
• Early Evening, after the Wedding Breakfast

At the Drinks Reception, walkaround magic is the perfect ice breaker especially as you newlyweds will be very busy with your photos – I can look after your guests and entertain them. Or in the Early Evening after the meal there is often a ‘lull’ in the day - performing at that time can help with a room turnaround and bring some energy back in to your wedding day.

Photographer credit: Silke Photography

What are the benefits of hiring you for a wedding day?

By hiring a professional magician like myself you are giving your guests an incredible experience, live entertainment and memories that will last a lifetime. I often joke that the tricks might last ten minutes per group, but people will be talking about them for years. Close-up magic can relieve the boredom – wedding days can be long and there can be a lot of standing around for guests, especially the ones that are not in the immediate family or part of the wedding party. I also try and look out for the guests that are standing to one side because they don’t know anyone, and I encourage them to join a group to watch my tricks, therefore my work really does bring people together.

What would people be surprised to learn about you and/or your work?

I was a qualified therapist for 14 years and had a successful practice in Cheltenham before becoming a magician. My previous profession gave me the experience to enable me to talk to anybody and build up a lot of rapport very quickly – good social skills, humour, wit and being able to interact with people from all backgrounds are a huge part of being a busy successful magician.

When was the last time you laughed out loud with one of your couples? What happened?

I remember a recent wedding at Stone Barn where the bride Emily was dancing even before she walked down the aisle – she smiled non-stop and brought such a great vibe to that wedding, it was a really happy day. I do think if the Bride and Groom relax then everybody else tends to relax as well. That would be one of my biggest tips for couples actually – that the atmosphere and vibe will often come from the couple - the more you are enjoying yourselves the more relaxed the guests will be.

Photographer credit: Silke Photography

What is your greatest fear when you are working at a wedding or event?

The only thing to really worry about is being late. I am careful to arrive early, watch traffic conditions closely and have emergency phone numbers if needed. Thankfully in over ten years of performing at hundreds and hundreds of weddings I have only been slightly late twice due to traffic jams. I had emergency phone numbers and was able to keep the wedding party updated and thankfully it all worked out fine. One of the weddings was running late so the timing was ironically perfect!

What is your greatest extravagance that helps you get through the day?

Coffee. You will find that a lot of magicians hang out in coffee shops when they are not working! Costa or Starbucks is a must! My magician friend Kerry Scorah and I have frequented many a coffee shop on route to a corporate gig!

What is the one thing you can’t live without in your job?

My Sat Nav. Wedding venues are quite easy to find but if the wedding is in a marquee at a private house or field then it can be a lot harder to find. I have a space on my booking form for people to write extra directions and landmarks that I need to look out for.

Photographer credit: Tom Durn Photography

Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

I get inspiration from watching other magicians and their work, either online or in person. I have some really good friends in the magic community and we meet up and exchange ideas, tricks and discuss performing. My friends and colleagues therefore inspire me to be the best I can be.

What bit of advice would you love to share with couples?

Book your chosen suppliers early – do not wait. Most professional wedding suppliers get very booked up, especially at the weekends in the Summer, so early reservation is essential if you want your favourite magician or favourite photographer etc.

What is your favourite piece of magic?

I can’t give away too much, but my signed card routine to impossible location never fails to get amazing reactions! 

What is your most popular jaw-dropping trick?

My fork-bending routine is my most requested trick at any event and people report that they still have their signed and twisted fork on their mantlepiece or on display in their kitchen many years later.

Photographer credit: Belle Bespoke Photography

What moment are you most proud of in your profession?

In 2015 I was hired to fly to Venice and stay in the JW Marriott hotel on their private Island to work at three corporate events over five nights. I was picked up at the airport in a speedboat and as we were approaching the hotel I remember thinking that it was pretty special. The variety in this job as a magician is fun and every week can be totally different. One day I can be performing magic at a rustic barn wedding in Gloucestershire or in The Cotswolds and the next day I could be travelling to London to perform at a luxury wedding in one of the magnificent luxury hotels.

What are your future dreams for your business?

To keep doing what I love for the next few years and develop my stage act. I have always thought that when I stop enjoying it, I will cease performing and do something else…possibly speaking, corporate training or hosting events. There is probably nothing worse than watching an old entertainer that should have retired years ago!

Do you arrive and leave in a puff of smoke?!

LOL, unfortunately not, which is a shame as it would save the petrol cost!

Photographer credit: Tom Durn Photography

Loved finding out a few unknown gems about Richard Parsons, the Gloucestershire Magician? If you head over to his Whitewed Directory Page you can find out even more - and why not also follow Richard on Instagram and Facebook for some serious magical entertainment inspiration!

Hopefully you’ve found out lots of useful information from us on the Gloucestershire Magician, now it’s your time to introduce yourself to him and find out how he could help with your wedding day entertainment…

Happy planning!

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Blog Cover Image Photographer Credits:

Belle Bespoke Photography, Joab Smith Photography, Silke Photography and Tom Durn Photography