Magician in Durham for weddings across the county
A wedding is the one day your oldest friends, your new in-laws and your work mates all end up in the same room. Lewis's job is to get them talking to each other.
Hiring a magician in Durham for your wedding means your guests get entertained in small groups, face to face, at the moments of the day when they'd otherwise be hanging about. Lewis Joss does close-up magic: signed cards, borrowed rings, coins that turn up in places they really shouldn't. It all happens within arm's reach.
His grandad started him off with a handful of tricks at six, and by ten he'd joined The Magic Circle's youth programme. He's now a full Member of The Magic Circle, he's been booked from Hyde Park to Malta, and in 2024 he was on Britain's Got Talent with Jay & Joss. He covers weddings right across County Durham.
This page leans towards weddings, since that's what most people searching for a magician in Durham are planning. Work parties and family celebrations get their own sections further down.
On this page
What a wedding magician in Durham actually does on the day
Most of Lewis's wedding work happens during the drinks reception. You and your partner are off with the photographer, the bar's open, and a hundred people are making small talk. He goes from group to group, does a few minutes of magic, and moves on before anyone's had time to get bored. It turns an hour of waiting into the part of the day people actually remember.
He's careful about who he sees. It's easy for a performer to hang around the loudest group by the bar, and Lewis makes a point of not doing that. He'll find the elderly relatives sitting down, the plus-ones who don't know anyone and the children hiding behind their parents, and make sure each of them gets a trick.
Then comes the wedding breakfast. Between courses, Lewis visits each table, so guests stay in their seats and the tricks happen right on the tablecloth. He checks with the venue team when food is due out and stays clear of the waiting staff. Once the speeches are about to start, he's gone.
Lots of couples looking for a wedding magician in Durham also ask about the evening. When the evening guests arrive, they've missed the ceremony and the meal, and they can feel like outsiders for a while. A few tricks at the bar while the room's being turned round gets them involved quickly.
And if your wedding is smaller, say thirty or forty guests over a long lunch, magic suits that just as well. Lewis can spend longer with each table so it's more of a chat than a quick show. The wedding magician page explains how couples tend to split the day.
Christmas parties and work events in Durham
Lewis has performed for the Ministry of Defence, Mercedes-Benz and SCA, among others, so he knows how a corporate crowd behaves. At most work parties, colleagues stick to the people they sit near every day. Magic gives them a reason to mix, without anyone feeling pushed into it.
The classic Christmas party booking is two parts. Mingling magic as people arrive and get a drink, then table magic once dinner starts. It means every team gets a visit, not just the ones near the bar. Lewis works round any awards or speeches in your running order.
Client nights and product launches are another good fit. A magician in Durham gives guests something to watch and your team something to talk about, which makes networking a lot less awkward. With enough notice, Lewis can work your company name or product into a trick.
Timing makes a big difference at a work do. If the managing director wants to say a few words, or there's a charity raffle halfway through the evening, Lewis needs to know so he can pause and pick up again afterwards. Send over the running order and he'll plan his sets round it. Nobody wants a card trick going off in the middle of the thank yous.
There's more about corporate bookings on the corporate entertainment page. It covers summer parties, awards dinners and team days as well as Christmas.
Sixtieths, christening lunches and family dos in Durham
Family parties are some of the best events for close-up magic, because nobody's too young or too old for it. Lewis changes his approach with each group: the children get to help and make plenty of noise, while grandparents get something slower that they can follow without being put on the spot.
Big birthdays work especially well. A fortieth or a sixtieth often brings together people from very different parts of someone's life, and they don't always know each other. Lewis gives them a shared moment of disbelief to talk about, which is a lot easier than starting from scratch.
A magician in Durham at a christening or an anniversary lunch also takes the pressure off the host. You're busy sorting out the food and the cake, and Lewis is keeping everyone else entertained. See the party magician page for more on mixed-age parties.
Garden parties and barbecues are fine too. Lewis is just as happy on a lawn or a patio as he is in a function room, so there's no need to gather everyone indoors. He'll find people wherever they've settled, whether that's by the drinks table, round the grill or in the shade.
Whoever you're celebrating can take centre stage for a trick if they'd like. If they'd rather not, Lewis keeps the focus on everyone else.
Why book a magician in Durham like Lewis
- Right up close Tricks happen in your guests' hands, with their own things, so it feels personal.
- Covers the whole county Lewis travels across County Durham and beyond for weddings and parties.
- Works round your plans Photos, meals, speeches and first dances always come first.
- Experience at every kind of event Weddings, corporate dinners and family parties, each with a different approach.
- A Member of The Magic Circle He joined the youth programme at ten and has kept learning ever since.
Wedding and party venues in Durham
Durham has a good choice of hotels and clubs for receptions and parties. You might be getting married at Radisson Blu, having a Christmas party at Hotel Indigo Durham, or holding a birthday in the clubhouse at Durham City Golf Course. A magician in Durham doing close-up work needs no special room, so any of these suit.
Lewis also covers Stanley, Bishop Auckland and Seaham. If you're looking for magicians in County Durham and your venue is further out, just ask. Lewis performs all over the UK, so a country house or a village hall a little way out of the city is no problem.
A few quick answers
When should we get in touch about a wedding magician in Durham?
As soon as your date and venue are confirmed. Popular Saturdays get booked well in advance, so it's best not to leave it too late.
Is the drinks reception the best time for magic?
For most couples, yes. It's when guests are mingling and you're away for photos. The wedding breakfast and evening are popular additions. Lewis is happy to suggest a plan once he knows your timings and guest numbers.
Can a magician in Durham do our office Christmas party?
Yes. Lewis usually does roaming magic during arrival drinks, then visits each table over dinner. December dates fill up quickly.
Will the magic work with lots of children at the party?
It works brilliantly. Lewis involves kids in the tricks, keeps it clean and quick, and makes sure the adults are entertained too.
How much space does Lewis need?
None. He works among your guests, standing or seated, with no stage, sound or power required. A quick word with your venue coordinator about timings on the day is all he'll ask for.
Does a magician in Durham travel to venues outside the city?
Yes. Lewis covers the whole of County Durham and further afield, including hotels, golf clubs and private homes.
Ask about your date
Send us your date, venue and an idea of guest numbers. We'll check if Lewis is free and get back to you about a magician in Durham for your wedding, work do or family party.
What people say about Lewis
Lewis performed at our wedding during the drinks reception and also between courses of our wedding breakfast. He did an absolutely brilliant job and was such a nice guy to be part of our wedding day. We were really glad we went ahead with the booking. He was a great ice-breaker with our guests and…
Jamie for Fine Entertainments arranged Lewis to perform at our wedding. We cannot thank him enough for the performances he gave us and our wedding guests. Made the effort to learn everyone's name, was great with the kids aswell. Such a nice guy and an incredible magician. We were all blown away. Absolute highlight of…
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…