Simon Alexander Blog: Professional Magician

After the feverish pandemonium that is December, January is a welcome month of reflection and new beginnings for me: a time to take stock of the old year and build good foundations for the one ahead.

Looking back on 2008, it really was a thoroughly enjoyable year for me.  Even with all this talk of credit being crunched and houses freefalling (I must be sure to wear a sturdy hat), 2008 was still my most successful to date.  In these gloomy old times it’s great to see that there’s still an appetite for celebration; and I feel very blessed to have been a part of so many of them.

So what has 2009 brought so far?  January has brought a flurry of weddings and private parties and the newly designed web site has brought lots of fresh enquiries, so it looks like all the hair-tearing was worth it. 

The new site has also brought a couple of commissions from other magicians to design sites for them, which is very flattering  Check out the progress on my old mate Clive Winterton’s new site.  Even though it’s still very basic I’m gutted to admit that I think it looks nicer site than my own!  Oh well!

Finally I’ve also been working hard on refining by cabaret show which will be getting its first small airing to the Onslow Village Residents’ Association this Saturday.  Photos will follow, in due course

Anyways up, here’s a little note from Sue and Jon Corbett.  I performed at the couple’s recent wedding at the glorious Orchardleigh House in Frome, Somerset.   What made me chuckle was the description of me being, “annoyingly good at magic,” which I suppose is a bit of an occupational hazard. Thanks for your kind words, you two and all good wishes for your future together. Right then, fingers crossed for a better 2009 than those newsreaders are bullying us all into! Onward!!!

Well, the new shiny web site has arrived.  Thanks for all your useful comments, they’ve been invaluable in designing it.

I’m sure that there are bound to be a few teething problems, so if you do notice anything untoward, please let me know so that I can get it rectified.

I’d really appreciate any constructive feedback and look forward to hearing from you.

Enjoy the new site!

Well, can you believe it?  December has been and gone and, I have to say, it’s been a fun but hectic time for me with all those Christmas parties.  I’ve been a bit too snowed under to be able keep the blog absolutely up-to-date but I’ll be back with at least a weekly entry with photos from now on.  

It was really heartening  over the Christmas period to see that even in this gloomy old climate, the UK’s still up for a really good time.  This December, as well as a smattering of winter weddings, I’ve worked for Barristers, GPs, a pharmaceutical company, a web services company, a car hire company, a research company, an engineering company,  a heath and fitness company, a couple of government bodies and a handful of hotels.  And without exception they’ve all been terrific fun.  It seems like there’s nothing like a good  economic downturn to brings out the best in people!

Here are some excerpts from a few of the thank you letters that I received:

” I would like to say a big thank you for your work at our Christmas party. Everyone really enjoyed the magic - it was the real highlight of the evening.  People where still talking about it over the next week.  You made our party very special.”

Claire Swaine - David Lloyd Leisure

“Thank you for entertaining my guests on Saturday evening. I was very impressed by the quality of your work.  Many of my guests during the evening came up to me and commented on how excellent they thought you were … and with such a nice manner, so well done! I would recommend you to others and indeed will contact you again myself when the occasion arises. Thanks very much and a Happy New Year!!”

Pat Watson - Private Party

“We were very impressed with your Magical tricks - I just can’t work them out at all!  You were excellent without being over obtrusive or pushy and good value for money.  If anyone requires any magical tricks in the future I will be sure to remember you.”

Heather Collyer - Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (Following a run of five separate bookings over the Christmas period)

Thanks for all your kind words and may I wish a happy and successful 2009 to you all.