Magician in Penzance for the fizz and the feast
Two parts of any event tend to drag: the drinks before everyone sits down, and the gaps between courses. They happen to be exactly where close-up magic works best.
A magician in Penzance who specialises in drinks receptions and dinners can lift the whole shape of your event. Lewis Joss works close-up, so during the drinks he moves between little clusters of guests, and once people are seated he visits each table in turn. Nobody has to leave their glass or their chair to enjoy it.
Lewis is a Member of The Magic Circle and was on Britain's Got Talent in 2024 as one half of Jay & Joss. He's performed everywhere from Hyde Park in London to Malta, and companies such as Mercedes-Benz have booked him for their events. He brings the same approach to a wedding, a company dinner or a family birthday.
On this page you'll find how the drinks and dinner format works at weddings, at work parties and at big family celebrations, plus a few practical answers at the bottom.
On this page
Wedding drinks and the wedding breakfast with a magician in Penzance
At a wedding, the drinks reception is usually the longest wait of the day. You're off with the photographer, and your guests are standing around with a glass of fizz trying to make conversation with people they've only just met. Lewis goes from group to group, does a few minutes of magic with each, and moves on. By the time dinner's called, the two families have something in common.
He's careful to reach everybody, not just the loud bunch by the bar. If there are older relatives sitting down, plus-ones who don't know a soul, or children getting fidgety, he'll make sure they get a visit. Tell him about anyone who might need a little extra attention and they'll be near the top of his list.
Then the wedding breakfast. Between courses, Lewis works his way round the tables, performing right on the tablecloth so guests can stay seated. He keeps an eye on the kitchen and the waiting staff, steps aside when plates are coming out, and is long gone before the speeches.
As a wedding magician in Penzance, Lewis is often asked to stay on for the evening guests too. They arrive after the meal, often not knowing many people, and a few tricks at the bar helps them settle in while the room's being turned round for the dancing.
For a smaller wedding, perhaps a long lunch for thirty, he can spend longer at each table so it feels more like a chat than a performance. There's more on the wedding magician page.
Work dinners, awards nights and Christmas parties
Corporate events follow almost exactly the same pattern, and Lewis has plenty of experience with them. One review from an end-of-year ball at Cranfield University describes the format perfectly: mix and mingle magic during the welcome drinks and canapés, then table performances when guests sat down for the formal dinner.
At a Christmas party, that first half hour of drinks is when colleagues cluster in their usual groups. A magician in Penzance going from huddle to huddle breaks those groups up without anyone noticing it's happening. Once dinner starts, every table gets its own few minutes, so the back of the room sees as much as the front.
Awards dinners need careful timing. Lewis will want your running order so he can step back for the presentations and pick up again afterwards. Client dinners and product launches work well too, and with notice he can work your brand or product into a trick. See the corporate entertainment page for more.
And it isn't only for the festive season. Summer staff parties, long service dinners and team evenings all benefit from the same mix of mingling and table magic. Out on a terrace in the summer, a magician in Penzance can drift between groups while the food's being served, with nobody needing to gather in one spot.
Why the drinks and dinner format works
- Fills the quiet moments The waiting before dinner and the gaps between courses are where guests are most glad of something to watch.
- Every table gets a turn Lewis keeps track so the tables at the back see as much as the top table.
- Fits round service He works with the venue team, never getting in the way of food or speeches.
- Nobody has to move Guests stay where they are, standing or seated, and the magic comes to them.
- Weddings, work and family The same format suits all three, with a different touch for each crowd.
Penzance birthday meals, anniversaries and christening lunches
A fiftieth birthday dinner, a ruby anniversary meal or a christening lunch. Family events often follow the drinks then dinner shape as well, and close-up magic suits every age at the table. Lewis pitches each trick to the people in front of him, keeping it lively for children and gentler for grandparents.
A magician in Penzance at a family party also gives the host a breather. While you're greeting new arrivals and keeping an eye on the kitchen, Lewis makes sure nobody's left at a loose end. Find out more on the party magician page.
Whoever you're celebrating can have a trick of their own, maybe with a signed card that turns up somewhere impossible. If they'd rather not be in the spotlight, Lewis keeps the attention on the rest of the room.
Teenagers are often the trickiest crowd at a family meal. Lewis gets round that by doing the magic in their own hands and letting them film it. Grandparents get time to have a proper look, and nobody feels hurried.
Garden parties work too. If the birthday is in the back garden with a gazebo and a barbecue, a magician in Penzance can find people wherever they've settled, on the lawn, round the grill or by the drinks table. And if the weather turns, he simply follows everyone indoors.
Where a dinner in Penzance might be held
There are a few good options for a reception or dinner in and around Penzance. You might be having a wedding at Hotel Penzance, a Christmas dinner at Beachfield Hotel, or a birthday meal at The Longboat Inn. A magician in Penzance working close-up needs no particular space, so any of these work well.
Lewis also covers Hayle, St Ives and Helston, and travels right across Cornwall. If your celebration is in a village hall, a private house or a hotel a bit further out, just tell us the postcode. Lewis performs all over the UK, so distance is rarely an issue.
Questions people ask
How does a magician in Penzance work at a drinks reception?
Lewis moves between small groups, spending a few minutes with each before moving on. It breaks the ice and means everyone gets to see something. He keeps an eye out for anyone standing on their own and makes sure they're included.
Will table magic interrupt our dinner?
No. Lewis works between courses and coordinates with the venue team so he's never in the way of food or speeches. Guests stay in their seats and the tricks happen right on the tablecloth.
Can we book a magician in Penzance for just the wedding breakfast?
Yes. Some couples only want table magic during the meal. Others book the drinks reception too. It's up to you.
Does Lewis do corporate dinners in Cornwall?
He does. He's worked many work parties and awards dinners, and he'll plan round your running order. With notice, a magician in Penzance can even build your company name into a trick.
Is it suitable for a family birthday meal with children?
Definitely. Lewis adjusts each trick for the age of the group, so children and grandparents all enjoy it.
How long should a magician in Penzance be booked for?
It depends on numbers and which parts of the event you'd like covered. Tell Lewis your timings and he'll suggest what makes sense. A hundred guests at a seated dinner needs more time than thirty at a drinks reception, and he'll be honest about that.
Ask about your reception or dinner
Send us your date, venue and guest numbers. We'll check Lewis's diary and get back to you about a magician in Penzance for your event.
What people say about Lewis
Lewis came to entertain at our party Saturday night. He was absolutely brilliant our guests were all amazed at his tricks. He was very approachable and just lovely. Highly recommended.
We had Lewis perform at our Christmas party and he was fantastic. His interaction with people was great and the close up magic he performed had people in amazement. Would highly recommend
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…