FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As a magician, there are several questions that I get asked all the time. Predictably, the most common are: How did you do that? Can you make my wife/husband disappear? And, Did you go to Hogwarts? You won't find the answers to those questions here (I've never liked talking about Hogwarts since the time I forgot my gym kit and had to do Quidditch in my pants) but this section contains the answers to some other common questions that you may find useful.
1) What areas do you cover?
As a full time professional entertainer, I cover the whole of the UK, and have been lucky enough to perform abroad many times. My act has taken me to well over 30 different countries. I am based in the Midlands, though, so any venue within a hundred miles of Birmingham would count as a local gig. I also perform in London a great deal, as well as other cities in England, Scotland and Wales, and am available worldwide. I'm always happy to travel, so wherever you want to provide your guests with entertainment that will be amazing and fun, please get in touch.
2) How much do you charge?
My fees depend on your requirements and the amount of travelling involved. Please fill in the simple 'Booking Enquiry' form on the Contact page and I will usually be able to get back to you the same day with a no obligation quote. To receive an accurate quote please include the location of the booking, as you wouldn't believe how many people ask for a quote without mentioning the town, or even country, where the event is going to be held. There are no hidden extra charges. The fee you are quoted will always be the total price.
Remember that booking a magician is like a buying a watch. You can pay hundreds of pounds for a watch, or you can buy one from the market for a fiver. It won't be the same watch, though, and you usually get what you pay for! There are many part time magicians with little experience who accept paid bookings, so if your main priority is finding the cheapest possible quote - it probably isn't going to be me. But my fees are competitive when compared to other reliable, professional magicians with many years of experience.
3) How long do you usually perform for?
For close-up bookings with 50-150 guests, I usually perform for 2 hours. I recommend this as the ideal amount of time for a close-up magician to make the best possible impact at your event.
My stand-up shows can be anything from a short 10 minute spot, up to a full hour's show, depending on your requirements. For most events, 30 - 50 minutes is ideal.
4) Do you entertain children?
I am not a children's entertainer and don't do children's parties. Children love close-up magic, though, so I always involve any children who are present at weddings or family events. As a professional close-up magician, my job is to make sure that all your guests have a great time, adults and children alike. But if you are looking for a magician to entertain a group of children on their own (rather than with their families), you would be better off booking a specialist children's entertainer.
My stand-up act is aimed at an adult/family audience. It's not a children's show, but older children will certainly enjoy it. Children will appreciate my show much more if they sit with their parents, rather than having all the kids together at the front.
5) Is your act suitable for people who don't speak English?
I have successfully performed close-up magic many times for people who spoke little or no English. Close-up magic is a universal form of entertainment and great way of crossing the language barrier. My stage shows, on the other hand, are best suited for an entirely English speaking audience.
6) Do you have public liability insurance?
Yes. As a full member of Equity, all my performances are covered by Equity's comprehensive public liability insurance policy. I'm covered up to £10,000,000 ... though I still haven't managed to find a card trick that could do £10,000,000 worth of damage! The policy number is RTT112094 and I can supply a confirmation of insurance document from Equity on request.
7) Have you ever appeared in a music video?
Funny you should ask that! Here I am in the video for the brilliant Post-It-Note Prophecies by Sleuth.
What people say about magician Sean Carpenter ...
"On behalf of everyone at The At Work Partnership, I should like to thank you very much for the fantastic show you put on for us last week at our Workplace Health conference dinner ... It was not just your highly polished magic skills that wowed everyone, but you were able to strike just the right note with your humour – a great skill in itself when there are so many people to keep happy and testament to your professionalism. It was great fun for our delegates and easily the best entertainment we have had for this annual conference!"
Tracy Connors (At Work Partnership)
"We were absolutely delighted with your performance at our party and have had nothing from our guests but positive and enthusiastic feedback. Everyone (including us) has declared themself baffled, highly entertained and very, very impressed. We would recommend you unreservedly so please quote us. Thank you for doing such a fantastic job."
Tish Gordon-Lee
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for such fantastic close-up magic at my husband's birthday party. You played with so many minds with everyone watching you so closely, but not able to work out the extraordinary tricks. The laughter and whoops meant we knew where you were. We were so delighted …"
Angela Goodall
"Thank you so much for last night. You were absolutely fantastic and the audience loved you. I have had nothing except rave reviews for you from everyone and it was a pleasure to have such a professional ,slick and thoroughly warm and entertaining performer as part of our show. I hope you had fun and I do hope to work with you again. People are still saying how did he do that. You are amazing."
Kerry Newton (Boom Boom Bonita)
"Sean was absolutely fantastic and the only thing I could hear as he went around the room was laughter and clapping. Everyone really enjoyed his entertainment."
Emily Edmondson
"Thank you very much for this evening's performance. It was fantastic."
Susie Copeland, One Stop Grow Shop
"Sean is a busy professional entertainer and the laughs he garnered showed this. His clever, original and very funny magical routines and audience participation was greatly enjoyed by all."
Hull Magic Circle
"Thank you for a superb evening's entertainment. Everybody really enjoyed your performance and was absolutely spellbound at the tricks you did and the way you read minds."
Henry Goodfellow
"Thank you again for entertaining us last Friday, there were lots of smiles and we all thoroughly enjoyed your set. Your pitch to us was just spot-on and I've been asked to pass on thanks from all who were there. You arrived just when agreed, were very professional, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to others."
Jean Di Pilla
"Please pass on my thanks to Sean for yesterday evening. He was absolutely fantastic and the only thing I could hear as he went around the room was laughter and clapping"
Emily Edmondson, corporate booker
"Your performance was truly wonderful and astounded the audience. It will be remembered for a very long time by us all."
Bill Hall, Hertford Lodge
"British Close-Up Champion Sean Carpenter treated us to his award winning act. Sean always gives the impression that he's enjoying himself and it rubs off on the audience, which showed in their applause."
ABRACADABRA Magazine
"Sean was simply brilliant! He was both witty and amusing, and his up-close magic was simply sensational."
West Midlands 41 Clubs
"Many thanks for your services - truly magical! Everyone was so impressed."
Kev Briggs
"Please convey our sincere thanks to Sean Carpenter for an excellent performance. Everybody thought he was absolutely fantastic!"
Rybrook Jaguar
"I just wanted to thank you again for making my husband’s 50th party so special. Everyone was amazed at your brilliant tricks and illusions, I know I was!"
Ann Sherwood.
"Just letting you know that loads of guests both during and after the party commented on how great your magic act was, both close-up and stage. I think our party will be a talking-point in Risborough because of it."
Sally Sculfor
"Just wanted to say a big thank you, it was truly magical. Everyone was bowled over by your tricks and are still talking about it today . If we need your services again we won't hesitate to call and will definitely be recommending you"
Claire Mudge
"Seeing Sean in action and the amazed responses of his audience, tells you that he has a very special gift. He leaves them dazzled thinking how on earth did he do that! Remember the name Sean Carpenter ... he just might know yours before you tell him!"
BBC.co.uk
"Hello Sean, just to say thank you very much for entertaining my guests last weekend, they thought you were fantastic, and so did we!"
Sarah James
Sean Carpenter is based in Birmingham, but covers the whole of the UK. He is available worldwide, and performs all over the country in places such as Shropshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Leicester, and Barbados.
Click here to CONTACT Magician for Hire, Sean Carpenter