Party magician Lewis Joss, close-up magic for birthdays and celebrations
If you want a party magician who gets the whole room chatting, Lewis Joss is a Member of The Magic Circle and the Joss half of Jay & Joss from Britain's Got Talent 2024. He mingles with your guests at birthdays, anniversaries, house parties and dinner parties, doing close-up magic right under their noses (and very often in their own hands).
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Why book a party magician
Every party has the same slightly awkward first hour. Guests arrive, grab a drink and stick with whoever they came with. Your work friends don't know your cousins, the neighbours don't know your old school mates, and you're dashing about trying to introduce everyone.
A party magician sorts that out. Lewis goes from group to group, does something that shouldn't be possible, and suddenly people who've never met are laughing together and swapping theories. It takes the pressure off you as the host. And it gives everyone something to talk about long after the cake's gone.
He's been at it since he was six, when his grandad taught him his first tricks. He joined The Magic Circle's Youth Initiative at ten and became a member at 18. Since then there's been TV work with the late Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, Britain's Got Talent with Ant & Dec, and hundreds of events every year.
Milestone birthdays, from 18th to 80th
Big birthdays are where a party magician really comes into their own. They bring together people from every part of someone's life, which is exactly when a bit of magic helps. An 18th or 21st tends to be loud and lively, and Lewis plays up to that with plenty of banter. At a 30th, 40th or 50th he's often working a function room or a marquee full of friends and family. At a 60th, 70th or 80th it's usually a gentler pace, with more magic at the tables so nobody has to stand for long.
It's nice to make the birthday boy or girl the star for a minute too. Lewis will happily pull them into a trick or two. If they'd rather stay out of the limelight, just say.
Anniversaries, christenings and family dos
Wedding anniversaries, engagement parties, christenings, retirements, a big family get-together. These tend to be mixed crowds, with grandparents, teenagers and little ones all in one room, and close-up magic is one of the few things that works for every age at once. Marshada Chowdhury booked Lewis for her son's pre-wedding party and said he managed to engage with all ages.
He has a clean DBS record, which is worth knowing if there'll be children at a christening or family party. And if it's the wedding itself you're planning, the wedding magician page explains how he fits round the day.
House parties, garden parties and dinner parties
You don't need a venue to book a party magician. As a private party magician, Lewis is just as happy in a kitchen, a living room or a garden with a gazebo, and close-up magic needs no stage, no power and no set-up. He turns up and mingles. A summer garden party or BBQ works really well, because people are already wandering about.
A dinner party magician works a bit differently. Lewis can do a bit of magic while drinks are poured as people arrive, then perform at the table between courses, so each course comes with its own little show. It's a lovely one for a smaller group, like a special birthday meal at home or in a private dining room.
Watch Lewis at work
Adult parties and mixed ages
Lewis calls himself The Contemporary Magician, and as an adult party magician his style suits a grown-up crowd: modern sleight of hand, quick wit and lots of back and forth with the group. Ollie Pearson, who booked him for a birthday, said he joined in with the banter really well.
The magic stays clean, though, so it's fine when kids are around. Tatiana von Preussen wrote that he held the attention of about 20 seven-year-olds with close-up magic for a whole hour, and the parents were just as excited. So a party with three generations in it is no problem. Here's the kind of thing your guests might see:
- A borrowed ring vanishing and turning up somewhere it really shouldn't be
- A signed playing card appearing in an impossible place (his shoe has been known)
- Guessing someone's favourite song before they've said it
- Magic with people's own phones
How long to book and how much space you need
Two hours is the usual starting point for a party magician, which gives Lewis time to see every group at a decent-sized party. For a small do, an hour or so can be plenty. Tell him your guest numbers and rough timings and he'll suggest what makes sense.
Space-wise, he doesn't need any. He works standing among your guests or sitting at tables, so a packed living room is fine. Good light helps, so if the party moves out to the garden after dark, leave a few lights on. He'll step back for the speeches and the cake.
As for when to book, Saturdays go first, especially in summer and December. Ask as soon as you've got a date.
What a party magician costs
The magician cost guide on this site puts an experienced close-up magician at around £495 to £1,200 for about two hours in the UK, at a party or similar event. That's a typical market range rather than a fixed price.
Your quote comes down to the date, how long you need and how far it is. A weekday or a Sunday can be easier on the budget than a Saturday in July, and a smaller party that only needs an hour or so can bring the cost down too. Send your details and you'll get an exact figure.
Where Lewis travels for parties
He works as a party magician right across the UK, including London, Birmingham and Milton Keynes, and there's more about local venues on his town and county pages.
He's performed everywhere from the Royal Air Force Club and Hyde Park in London to Malta and on cruise ships, so a house party a couple of hours up the motorway is no bother.
Booking and what happens next
Pop your date, address or venue and rough guest numbers into the enquiry form, or call 01536 868 860, and you'll get a tailored quote back. Bookings go through Fine Entertainments Ltd, a VAT-registered limited company, and Lewis has public liability insurance.
Want something the whole room watches together? Lewis also performs stage illusion as half of Jay & Joss, the magic double act. And if the party is a work do, have a look at the corporate entertainment page.
What party hosts say
Incredible… Not only are Lewis' magic skills mind blowing but he matches that with great showmanship. He interacted with the group brilliantly and joined in with the banter really well..
Ollie Pearson, birthday party
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.
Barbara Frost, Google review
Lewis performed at my recent party. He has a lovely personality, is very entertaining, very competent ,and very well received by all.
Lynda Height, Google review
100% would recommend- Lewis was absolutely brilliant, everyone loved him, he completely understood our brief (which wasn’t simple or probably easy) and worked with it- very grateful! The booking process was also very easy and everyone at Fine Entertainments Ltd was flexible and there were no problems from the start to end.
Jessica Pancham, Google review
Party magician questions
How long should I book a party magician for?
Two hours is the usual starting point. For a small party an hour or so can be enough. Give Lewis your guest numbers and he'll suggest a length.
How much space does Lewis need?
Hardly any. It's close-up magic, done standing among your guests or at the tables, so a living room, kitchen or garden is fine. There's nothing to set up.
Is the magic suitable for a mixed-age party?
Yes. It's clean and works for all ages, from children to grandparents, and Lewis has a clean DBS record.
Can Lewis perform at a dinner party at home?
He can. He'll mingle as guests arrive, then perform at the table between courses so everyone gets a close look.
How much does a party magician cost?
The site's magician cost guide gives a typical UK range of £495 to £1,200 for around two hours of close-up magic. Your exact quote depends on the date, the length and the travel.
How far ahead should I book?
As early as you can. Saturdays in summer and December go first. Send your date through the enquiry form and you'll hear back with availability and a quote.
What people say about Lewis
Lewis absolutely transformed our event and made it a day to remember! He managed to capture everyone's attention and engage with all ages. I really didn't expect such a huge impact, but let's just say that my guests are still talking about how amazing he is a month later! Thank you Lewis for making my…
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 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!