Magician in Stroud for milestone birthdays and anniversary parties
Fifty years of marriage, or fifty years of birthdays, means a room full of people from every part of someone's life. Old school friends, new neighbours, grandchildren and work mates who've never met.
Those different crowds are exactly why a magician in Stroud earns his place at a milestone birthday or anniversary. Lewis Joss goes round the party doing close-up magic for small groups, and the tricks give people from different chapters of someone's life an easy thing to talk about.
Lewis has been at it since his grandad taught him a handful of tricks aged six. He's now a Member of The Magic Circle, he's done TV work with Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, and he's played venues from the Royal Air Force Club in London to Malta. In 2024 he reached a much bigger audience on Britain's Got Talent, as one half of Jay & Joss.
Fortieths, sixtieths and golden weddings with a magician in Stroud
A big birthday party tends to start slowly. People arrive in clumps, hand over cards and presents, find a drink and then hover near the people they came with. That's when Lewis gets going. He'll pick out the groups who look least sure of themselves and give them a few minutes of magic, so the room loosens up long before the buffet opens.
Anniversaries are similar, often with an older crowd. Lewis slows things down for guests who'd like a good look, visits people at their seats if standing isn't easy, and keeps the volume low enough that nobody has to strain to hear. The grandchildren, meanwhile, get the bright, quick tricks they love.
Whoever's celebrating can be part of it if they want to be. A signed card can turn up somewhere it shouldn't, or the couple can be at the heart of a trick in front of their family. If they'd hate the attention, he keeps the focus on everyone else. He'll ask you about that before the day.
A magician in Stroud also takes some weight off the host. You can't talk to a hundred people at once, especially while you're sorting the food, the speeches and the cake. With Lewis looking after the guests you haven't got to yet, you can actually enjoy your own party.
Parties at home work just as well. He needs no stage and no space, so a kitchen, a lounge or a marquee in the garden all do the job. See the party magician page for more on how he handles a family crowd.
On this page
Your wedding, and how the magic fits in
Weddings are a big part of Lewis's year. The drinks reception is the usual starting point, as it's the longest wait of the day and the moment guests are most likely to be stuck for something to do. He mingles, breaks the ice between the two families, and keeps everyone smiling while you're with the photographer.
At the wedding breakfast he does table magic between courses and stays clear of the speeches. Evening guests can get a welcome at the bar too. If you'd like a wedding magician in Stroud for the full day, he'll take your running order and plan round it. The wedding magician page has more.
Smaller weddings and register office lunches suit it well. With thirty or so guests, a magician in Stroud can linger at each table and chat as much as he performs, which tends to suit a relaxed day.
A tip from experience: tell Lewis about any guests who'll be on their own or won't know many people. He'll make a point of visiting them early, so they've got something to talk about before they sit down. It's a small thing, but it makes a real difference to how welcome people feel.
Children at weddings get looked after too. Page boys and flower girls often end up following him round, and a quick trick at the kids' table keeps them happy through a long meal. Booking a magician in Stroud who's used to mixed ages means nobody's left out, from the youngest bridesmaid to the oldest great uncle.
Why it works at a milestone party
- Mixes the old and new friends Groups gather round the magic, and they don't always gather with people they already know.
- Kind to older guests He'll visit people at their seats and go at a pace that suits them. Nobody has to shuffle across a crowded room to see.
- Fun for grandchildren Children get tricks they can take part in, which keeps them busy and happy.
- Works round the speeches Toasts, the cake and any surprises come first. He fits round them.
- Needs nothing from the venue No stage, no power and no microphone. Just your guests. He'll arrive early, say hello to the venue staff and be ready when the first guests come in.
Christmas parties and company evenings in Stroud district
Lewis has worked for companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Thomson Holidays and the Ministry of Defence, so a staff party or client evening is familiar ground. Roaming magic over drinks helps colleagues from different teams mix, and table magic between courses keeps a dinner moving.
He'll fit round any awards, raffles or speeches, and with a bit of notice he can work your company's name or product into a trick. That's especially handy at a launch or a client night, where you want people to remember who invited them. People remember the trick, and they remember the name on the card it was done with.
Having a magician in Stroud at your Christmas do is one less thing for the organiser to worry about. December fills up quickly, so it's worth asking early. The corporate entertainment page explains the options.
Smaller teams are welcome as well. If there are fifteen of you round one table in a pub's back room, he'll do a short set for everyone and then work his way along. And the people who'd rather not dance or drink get something to enjoy that doesn't rely on either.
Hotels and clubhouses for a Stroud celebration
Lewis travels throughout Gloucestershire, so hiring a magician in Stroud works for venues all round the district. A sixtieth or golden wedding might be at a hotel such as The Bear of Rodborough, Burleigh Court Hotel or The Amberley Inn, or in the clubhouse at Minchinhampton Golf Club. He fits into whatever room you've booked.
If you're celebrating a little further out, he also covers Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester. He performs right across the UK, so if the family is spread across the country and the party ends up somewhere else, a magician in Stroud can follow it there.
Before you book
It's Mum's seventieth. Could a magician in Stroud put her at the centre of a trick?
Yes, if they'd like that. Lewis will ask you first, and if they're shy he'll keep the attention on the guests. A trick with their name, their age or the couple's wedding date can make a lovely moment for photos.
We're planning a surprise party. Does that change anything?
Not much. He can already be mingling when they walk in, which takes the pressure off that first awkward moment. Just tell him the plan for the big reveal and he'll keep well out of the way until it's done.
Is it suitable for a ruby or golden wedding with older guests?
Very much so. He'll slow down, visit people at their seats and make sure everyone can see properly. Anyone hard of hearing gets a trick that's easy to follow without missing a word.
Does a magician in Stroud cover weddings too?
He does. The drinks reception and wedding breakfast are the most popular slots. Some couples keep him on for the evening as well, to welcome the guests who arrive later.
What about our staff Christmas meal?
That works well. Magic over drinks, then at the tables between courses, with a pause for any speeches. He can include your company name in a trick if you'd like.
How long should a magician in Stroud stay at a party?
It depends on how many guests are coming. Tell us the numbers and Lewis will suggest a length that gives everyone a proper turn. For a house party of thirty, an hour or so is often enough. For a hundred in a function room, allow longer.
Got a big birthday or anniversary on the way?
Let us know the date, the venue and how many are coming, and we'll check whether Lewis is free to be your magician in Stroud. We'll come back quickly with a sensible suggestion for timings.
What people say about Lewis
Jamie and Lewis certainly worked their magic on our companies 50th Anniversary event on Saturday. They mesmerized everyone and left people in awe. We have had so many positive comments. We would definitely recommend them. Thank you so much!
The entertainment provided by Jamie and Lewis at our event was absolutely fantastic. I received nothing but positive feedback from our guests. For some guests, it was the highlight of the event! Both the close up magic and stage show was enjoyable and high quality. The souvenirs were a brilliant touch and I’m glad that…
Lewis performed at my recent party. He has a lovely personality, is very entertaining, very competent ,and very well received by all.