How to Book a Sleight of Hand Magician for Private Events in the UK

If you are looking for a bloke in a sequined waistcoat to saw your mother-in-law in half, you have unfortunately stumbled onto the wrong website. (Although, for the right price, I might consider the sawing part).

However, if you are looking to book a sleight-of-hand magician for a private event in the UK who won’t make your guests cringe into their prosecco, the answer is Close-Up Chris & Co.

You are here because you are planning an event. It might be a wedding where two families who barely tolerate each other are forced to mingle. It might be a 50th birthday party where the main form of entertainment is currently a playlist from 1984. Or it might be a corporate bash where “fun” is usually mandated by HR.

You need a solution. You need an icebreaker. You need someone who can steal a watch without getting arrested. Let’s look at how you can book the best digital dexterity in the business without losing your mind.

Let’s define our terms before we go any further. When we talk about sleight of hand, we aren’t talking about massive stage props or smoke machines that set off the venue’s fire alarm.

Sleight of hand is the art of doing the impossible with ordinary objects, right under someone’s nose. It is pure manual dexterity, misdirection, and psychology. It’s the kind of skill that makes a rational adult stare at a playing card and question their own sanity.

The Ultimate Icebreaker

Here is the brutal truth about private events: they can be awkward. People stand around in small circles, clutching their drinks like life rafts, terrified of talking to strangers.

Sleight of hand magic destroys that awkwardness. It is the ultimate social lubricant. When I walk up to a group and make a coin vanish from someone’s hand, the barriers come down. Suddenly, strangers are laughing together, bonding over the shared experience of having their minds melted. It turns a room full of individuals into a cohesive party.

Versatility is King

The beauty of close-up magic is that it fits anywhere. I don’t need a stage. I don’t need a dressing room with a bowl of blue M&Ms. I work out of my pockets. Whether you are hosting an intimate dinner party for ten people or a massive drinks reception for three hundred, the magic scales perfectly. It is interactive, personal, and visceral.

If you want to know more about the specific types of wizardry we offer—from mind reading to pickpocketing—have a read of our Close-Up Magic Services.

Why Choose Close-Up Chris & Co.?

There are plenty of magicians in the UK. Some of them are even quite good. So why should you trust me with your event?

Well, for starters, I’ve been doing this for over 25 years. I am currently ranked number 1 out of 299 UK magicians on the independent review site FreeIndex. I haven’t just bought a trick deck from a magic shop; I have spent decades mastering the psychology of entertainment.

I Am Not Just a Magician; I Am a Host

My style isn’t about showing off how clever I am. It’s about making your guests feel great. I’m the “boy next door” who just happens to be able to read your mind. I mingle, I charm, and I put people at ease. The magic is the vehicle, but the entertainment comes from the interaction.

The “Co.” in Close-Up Chris & Co.

Here is the reality: I am only one man. I cannot be a magician in Manchester and London at the same time (teleportation is still in the R&D phase). But I refuse to leave you high and dry.

I have curated a team of the absolute best magicians in the business. These aren’t random performers I found on a forum. These are colleagues I know, trust, and have vetted personally. If I am already booked, I can provide you with a performer who meets my exact standards of skill and professionalism.

The Close-Up X Option

We also offer something unique called the Close-Up X Magician package. This is for the client who wants guaranteed quality but might be working to a stricter budget or booking last-minute.

For a fixed fee, you get one of my trusted team members. You don’t pick the specific name—we assign the best available magician for your date—but you get the Close-Up Chris seal of approval. It’s like booking a 5-star hotel through a secret deal; you know it’s going to be excellent, even if you don’t know the room number yet.

Read more about how we curate the best talent on our Magicians for Hire page, or check out the logistics on our Booking Process page.

How to Book a Sleight of Hand Magician

Booking entertainment should not require a degree in contract law. However, there are a few pitfalls to avoid. If you Google “magician,” you will be inundated with options ranging from “world-class” to “award-winning.” (for what – who knows?!)

Here is how to navigate the minefield.

Step 1: Research and Reviews

Don’t just take a performer’s word for it. Look at what previous clients say. A shiny website is easy to build; a reputation is hard to earn.

We have hundreds of 5-star reviews because we consistently deliver. Go to our YouTube channel and watch the videos. Look at the faces of the people in the audience. Are they politely clapping, or are their jaws on the floor? That is the reaction you are paying for.

Step 2: The Budget Conversation

Let’s talk money. It’s the elephant in the room, so let’s address it.

If you find a magician charging £200 for a Saturday night, run away. Fast.

A professional close-up magician in the UK generally charges between £500 and £1,000+ for a standard engagement. This covers their expertise, their insurance, their travel, and the guarantee that they won’t turn up in a t-shirt and jeans smelling of stale beer. For a deep dive on what goes into the cost (and why you really don’t want to cut corners), check out our blog: How Much Does a Close-Up Magician Cost?

As the saying goes: “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.” A bad magician is worse than no magician. It’s active damage to your event’s atmosphere.

Step 3: Check Availability

Good performers get booked up. Saturdays in summer and dates in December vanish faster than a marked card in a shuffle. Once you have a date, reach out immediately.

Step 4: The Enquiry

Use our enquiry form. Tell us about your event. Is it a wedding? A 40th birthday party? A corporate awards dinner?

The more we know, the better we can tailor the experience. For example, if you are hosting a networking session – the Close-Up Corner serves as a focal point for the room. If it’s a dinner party, we might suggest a performance between courses.

What to Expect on the Day

So, you’ve pulled the trigger. You’ve booked a Close-Up Chris magician. What actually happens?

Zero Stress for You

The main reason to hire a pro is to take the pressure off your shoulders. You have enough to worry about—catering, seating plans, and whether the DJ is going to play “The Macarena.”

We arrive early, looking sharp. We don’t need you to hold our hand. We assess the room and get to work.

The Performance

We don’t interrupt important moments. We work the room like snipers of fun. We find small groups, engage them, hit them with ten minutes of impossible magic, and leave them laughing and buzzing before moving to the next group.

You will hear the performance before you see it. You’ll hear a ripple of applause, a shriek of laughter, or a loud “NO WAY!” from across the room. That is the sound of your event going well.

Creating Memories

We aren’t just doing tricks; we are creating stories. Your guests won’t remember the chicken supreme or the colour of the napkins. They will remember the moment a magician told them the name of their first pet or pulled their signed card out of a sealed wallet.

Whether it’s a mix-and-mingle set during a drinks reception or table magic during a meal, the goal is to leave people with a story they will tell for years. If you need more inspiration on how to make your party legendary, check out our blog on Fun Event Ideas.

How to Book a Sleight of Hand Magician for Private Events in the UK

Finding the right entertainment shouldn’t be a gamble. You don’t want to risk your reputation on someone whose biggest trick is making the atmosphere disappear.

You want confidence. You want laughter. You want your guests to come up to you afterwards and say, “Where on earth did you find that guy?”

Don’t settle for average. Book a sleight of hand magician who guarantees jaw-dropping moments, laughter, and memories that last longer than the hangover.

Contact Close-Up Chris & Co. today to secure your date and make your event truly magical.

Ready to get started? Visit our Contact page now!

About ✨ Close-Up Chris✨

The UK’s best close-up magician available for parties, weddings and corporate events.