Childrens Party Tips

New Promotional Video

Gordon Drayson — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 19:15:27 +0000

I have just finished a new promotional video for my full parties. Please take a look at it and leave your comments below, as I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Shows During The Olympics

Gordon Drayson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:59:26 +0000

We are now well into the Olympics, and there is a definite buzz around London. People are talking about it, watching it, or have tickets to go to see it in person. I prefer to watch it on TV and choose the sport from the 24 HD channels that the BBC are streaming, although my shows take me into London, and in fact right near the stadium… but I am getting ahead of myself.

Last week on the 24th July I was heading to Ealing to perform at two hospitals for the POD charity (which I will talk about more in a future post), which took me through Kingston Upon Thames, into Richmond and then on to Ealing.

I was due to arrive at Ealing Hospital for 9:45am and so set off at 8am… (I know, it’s early for a magician, especially when it’s the other side of London). When I got to Kingston Upon Thames, the traffic stopped, and people were abandoning their cars… it was like a scene from a disaster movie, I had no idea what was going on – until I heard cheers, and when I went to investigate I saw that at the end of the road I was stuck in, the Olympic Torch was just passing at that precise moment. It was all very exciting.

When the torch had past, people returned to their cars and the traffic started to flow again. What I didn’t realise, and hadn’t even thought to check was that the torch route was the exact same route that I had started out on. The torch runners were being followed by a police van, and then behind the police was me…. for two and a half hours, and we were travelling at the speed of the runners !!!

Once I had come to terms with the fact that I was going to be late, I started to enjoy seeing the people who were lining the streets and cheering me thinking I was part of the procession (I phoned ahead and explained why I was going to be late and the hospital were fine about it).

To give you some idea of the crowds that turned out for the torch, I took some video footage – take a look…

Click here to view the embedded video.

I have had a couple of shows in London since then, during the Olympics, and I have left WAY more time than I would normally expect to, and so far it has all been very easy with hardly any traffic. My show yesterday took place in West Ham Park, which is only a few miles from the stadium, and on my way to The Magic Circle after my show, I went right past it – again with no traffic. All in all it’s an exciting time to live in England, and especially near London… being a creative performer type, I am now looking forward to the closing ceremony, although will be difficult to top the opening which I thought was stunning.

Magical History Tour Talk

Gordon Drayson — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:06:03 +0000

Every now and then I get asked if I can give a talk on magic, and so I created my “Magical History Tour”. It is all about how I started in magic, my membership of The Magic Circle (the most prestigious magic club in the world) and the history of three iconic legends in magic’s past, all interspersed with performances of magic to illustrate the talk.

Coffee Roundabout

Last Thursday I gave one of these talks to a wonderful group of women who have been going to the same coffee morning for the past 50 years, since it was formed as a young mothers coffee morning. The lady who runs it, Joan, is a very sprightly 93 year old, and she very kindly left me a voice testimonial after the event which you can listen to here by clicking the play button.

If you have a group that books talks, then please feel free to contact me on 020 8651-2127

Transcript of audio:
From the moment that Gordon took his shoe off, because it was uncomfortable, and produced a can of liquor from it (Gordon: it was actually coke !!!), he had us laughing, and we seemed to be laughing throughout the morning and forgetting all about the miserable rainy weather outside. His magic was wonderful, and he really is, I’m sure, a born entertain for all ages. We thought it was a lovely show. Goodbye.

What Happens at a Party….

Gordon Drayson — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:02:40 +0000

Have you ever wondered what happened at one of my parties?

Here is a video slideshow I put together to give you an idea of what happens. Watch the look of excitement on the children’s faces…. This is why I do the job I do – with thanks to Alex Tuck for the photos.

Read more on What Happens at a Party…….

How To Get My Party Tips Book For Free…

Gordon Drayson — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:10:11 +0000

I have just finished writing a new eBook “It’s Partytime” on how to run your own party, and I would like to give you the opportunity of getting it for free.
You will learn 14 top party tip secrets, as well as the perfect food and games to use. This offer will be limited, so grab it while you can.

Simple sign up for my party tips list by clicking on the link below or in the right hand sidebar, and follow the instructions in the email that you receive to get your free eBook.

Get Your Free “It’s Partytime” eBook

A Really Easy School PTA Fundraising Idea

Gordon Drayson — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:03:54 +0000

PTA Fundraising

Today was an experiment for me… to see if I could help with an Elementary School Fundraising for the Parent Teacher’s Association, and I have to say it was a huge success, so much so that I have been asked back again later this year.

I have been told that this School PTA Fundraising raised over £170 for an event that lasted for 1 hour after school had finished, with minimum effort for the PTA helpers.

Want to know how this was possible, then read on…

I was contacted by the head of the PTA at Newdigate Infants School who wanted some ideas on how they could use my services to raise money for the PTA, while at the same time give the pupils a school treat. We discussed lots of different ideas, and kept coming back to one, which seemed like a winner, and from today’s results, it definitely was.

The school booked me to perform my one hour school show (similar to the School PTA Fundraising show feat ured in my showreel) on a friday afternoon, to start about 15 minutes after school finished for the day. The PTA sent out a letter to the parents of every child at the school announcing that they had booked “Gordon the Magician” to perform his laughter filled magic show, and tickets were now on sale. All they had to do was fill in the slip at the bottom of the letter, and enclose payment. The school made a charge of £5 per child, and they sold around 75 tickets.

When I arrived to set up there was a real buzz around the school. As I walked into the reception, I could tell that there were a large number of excited children, waiting for the bell to ring so they could come and watch the show. The hall was big enough for me to bring the large show, with the full sound setup, the backdrop and banners, transforming the school hall into a magical theatre ready for the School PTA Fundraising to begin.

As soon as school was finished, the children, aged from 4-7 years were brought into the hall where the PTA had set up tables with drinks and a roll for every child (easy to do and adds to the value of the event). Once the refreshments were over, we launched straight into the show, and I soon had them giggling, laughing and having a great time. The hour seemed to disappear all too quickly, and soon it was time for everyone to go home. I had so many positive comments from the children, the parents collecting their children, (who were hearing all about the show), the staff who attended, and the PTA, who told me that it was one of the easiest fund raisers they had done.

Everyone was a winner. The children went home with big smiles on their faces…. their parents had an extra hour to themselves before the school run, and the PTA made a reasonable amount of money to put into their fund.

I think one of the reasons this format worked so well, was because it was so different. Everyone involved had been looking forward to it, and it helped raise a good sum of money for the PTA at the same time. This has to be a PTA Fundraising essential every year from now on. As PTA Fundraising events go – this was one of the easiest for the school. I am looking forward to taking a different show back to the school later this year.

Other ideas for this PTA Fundraising idea

There is no reason why this same School PTA Fundraising idea could not work for Charter School Fundraising, High School Fundraising (with a different type of show), non-profit fundraising, Rainbow and Brownies magic shows, Beaver and Cubs magic shows, as well as clubs and other organisations.

If you are interested in PTA Fundraising for your school or club, then please get in touch – you can visit my Childrens Party website, pick up the phone and call (020) 8651-2127, or simply make an enquiry and I will send you all the information you need.

How to Make Balloon Animals: Tiger

Gordon Drayson — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:49:09 +0000

Learn how to make a balloon animal tiger with this video tutorial. Expert: Jonas Cain

School Shows

Gordon Drayson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Every now and then I get asked what I can do for schools.

They are either looking for a way to give the students a treat at Christmas, or at a holiday break – or they are looking at ways to raise funds for the school, either at a school fete or an after school event. I get enquiries from both the school themselves and the PTA.

There are many ways that I can help out, and help raise funds for the school at the same time. Please as the relevant person from your school to give me a call to find out how I can help at help.

I recently filmed a school show and you can see a promo of it below. Please let me know what you think.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Reliable Party Supplies

Gordon Drayson — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:48:54 +0000

I am often asked where to go to buy party supplies, paper plates, hats, balloons, banners, and quite often they have to be a particular theme or character.

So I went on a search of the web to find the perfect supplier…

Let me introduce you to: My Party Parcel, a functional and very easy to navigate website that seems to have pretty much everything you could ever need for that special day.

They offer free delivery on all orders over £50, plus next day delivery when ordered before 1:30pm

You can search by product, or even by theme or character… everything from disney characters, through to football and TV stars. Party themes include:

Simple steps to plan for a successful Children’s Party

Gordon Drayson — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:14:02 +0000

Planning for a childrens party can be fraught with problems and stress.

Follow my (very) simple steps for a stress-free and relaxing party. Careful planning is the key.

Click here to view the embedded video.

(with thanks to Google Search Stories)