tjshoesmith.co.uk

TJ Shoesmith's site lists a specific set of credentials: membership of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, a win in the Magic Circle Close Up Competition 2013, runner-up in the Magic Circle Stage Competition 2013, and a win in the International Brotherhood of Magicians Championship 2007. It also names appearances at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles, Monday Night Magic in New York, and performances on Royal Caribbean and Silversea cruise ships. These are the claims the site makes; treat them as the performer's own listing rather than independently verified facts.

The listed awards at a glance

The pairing of a close-up win and a stage runner-up in the same year is the most useful detail for event planners: it suggests the performer works in both the roaming/table format and the cabaret format, which matches the site's description of him as a "Close Up & Cabaret Magician."

The listed appearances

• The Magic Castle, Los Angeles — described on the site as a regular engagement. The Magic Castle is a well-known private club for magicians, so a residency there is a common credibility marker in the profession.
• Monday Night Magic, New York — a long-running off-Broadway magic show; the site lists an appearance there.
• Royal Caribbean and Silversea — performances on luxury cruise lines, which typically involve repeated shows for mixed audiences.

How to use this when deciding

If you are weighing a booking, the awards answer a narrow question — has this performer been judged competent by other magicians? — while the appearances answer a different one: has he performed for audiences like yours? For a wedding or corporate reception, the close-up award and the table-magician framing are the relevant signals. For a stage or cabaret slot, the 2013 stage runner-up placing and the cruise work are more relevant.

Two practical caveats:

• Check the format fits your event. The site separates "Close Up Magician," "Table Magician," and "Cabaret" — confirm which you are booking, since the awards cover both but the experience differs.
• Verify before relying on it. Awards and appearances are self-reported on the site. If the credential is central to your decision, ask for details (which competition, which year, what the engagement involved) or check the awarding body's records.

The site also lists family entertainment as a category, which is worth noting if your event includes children.

Book a close-up magician when you want entertainment that moves among your guests rather than staying on a stage. Close-up magic happens in small groups — at tables, during a drinks reception, or between courses — so it works best for weddings, parties and corporate events where people are standing, mingling or seated at tables. TJ Shoesmith performs both close-up and cabaret magic across the UK, so the same booking can cover a roaming reception and a later focal performance if your event needs both.

What close-up magic actually does for an event

Close-up magic is performed inches from the audience, usually for groups of a few people at a time. That format solves a common event problem: guests who don't know each other, or a lull between arrival and the main programme.

• It breaks the ice. A magician arriving at a table gives strangers something shared to react to.
• It fills dead time. Drinks receptions, photo sessions and waiting periods stop feeling like waiting.
• It moves with the room. Unlike a stage act, the entertainment reaches guests wherever they are.
• It suits mixed ages. The site lists family entertainment among its offerings, so the material isn't pitched at one narrow audience.

The site's "Why Book A Magician" section frames this as entertainment value — the point is the guest experience, not a formal show with seating and lighting.

When cabaret is the better fit

Close-up magic needs small groups and a bit of movement. If your event has a seated audience, a single focal point, or a programme slot where everyone is already watching one area, cabaret is the more natural choice. TJ Shoesmith performs as both a close-up and cabaret magician, so the decision is about your room and schedule rather than about finding a different performer.

What credentials back the booking

If you're choosing between entertainers, the listed awards and appearances are the checkable part of the decision. According to the site, TJ Shoesmith is:

• A Member of the Inner Magic Circle (with Gold Star)
• Winner of the Magic Circle Close Up Competition in 2013
• Runner-up in the Magic Circle Stage Competition in 2013
• Winner of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Championship in 2007
• A regular at The Magic Castle, Los Angeles
• Appeared on Monday Night Magic, New York
• A performer on Royal Caribbean and Silversea luxury cruise lines

The close-up competition win and the cruise and Magic Castle work are the most relevant signals for a roaming, small-group format. The stage competition placing is the relevant signal if you're considering cabaret.

Practical points before you enquire

• Coverage: the site states UK-wide coverage, so location outside a single city isn't automatically a barrier.
• Contact: booking enquiries are directed to 07940 573265.
• Format decision first: tell the organiser which part of your event needs filling — reception, tables, or a seated slot — because that determines close-up versus cabaret.
• Guest count and layout: the number of tables and how guests are arranged affects how much of the room a close-up set can reach.

Pricing, availability and travel terms aren't stated on the page, so confirm those directly when you call rather than assuming a package.

tjshoesmith.co.uk is the booking and information site for TJ Shoesmith, a UK close-up and cabaret magician. It presents him as an award-winning entertainer available UK-wide, lists his performance styles (close-up, table and cabaret magic), summarises his awards and appearances, and gives a phone number for booking enquiries. Use the site if you are considering hiring a magician for an event and want a quick view of his credentials and formats before calling.

What the site covers

The page is built around a single purpose: getting a booking enquiry. Its main sections are:

• Close Up Magician – the core service, performing in close proximity to guests.
• Table Magician – magic performed at tables, typically during a meal or reception.
• Cabaret – a stage-style performance for a larger audience.
• Award Winning Entertainer – the credentials section.
• Why Book A Magician – the case for including magic in an event.
• Family Entertainment – a signal that the act suits mixed-age audiences.

The site describes coverage as "UK wide", so location within the UK is not presented as a barrier.

The credentials the site states

The site's own summary of awards and appearances is specific and checkable:

For a buyer, the useful signal here is breadth: competition wins in both close-up and stage categories, plus international club and cruise appearances. If your event leans on prestige or a "seen on the circuit" angle, these are the lines to quote.

How to decide whether to enquire

The site is a shop window, not a price list. It does not publish rates, package options or availability, so treat it as a first filter rather than a full comparison.

• Good fit: you want close-up or table magic at a wedding, party, corporate reception or dinner, and you value competition-level credentials.
• Also consider: cabaret if you need a seated-audience segment, and family entertainment if children will be present.
• Check before booking: fees, travel beyond your area, set length, and whether close-up, cabaret or both suit your schedule.

Getting in touch

The site gives one direct contact route: phone 07940 573265. The page does not describe an online booking form or email address, so a call is the intended first step. Have your date, venue, guest count and the format you want (table magic, close-up during a drinks reception, or cabaret) ready, since those are the details any magician needs to quote.

One practical note: because pricing is not published, ask about it early in the call rather than assuming a figure from the awards list.

TJ Shoesmith performs two main formats for events: close-up magic, including table magic performed among guests, and cabaret or stage-style magic for larger audiences. The site also lists family entertainment, and bookings cover the whole UK. The right choice depends mainly on your guest count, room layout, and whether you want magic woven between guests or presented to a seated crowd.

Close-Up and Table Magic

Close-up magic is performed in direct proximity to guests rather than from a stage. The site names a "Close Up Magician" service and a separate "Table Magician" service, which points to the common event pattern of moving between tables or small groups during drinks receptions, dinners, or parties.

This format suits events where guests are already standing in clusters or seated at tables, because the performance happens inside the gathering rather than in front of it. If you are planning a wedding reception, a corporate drinks reception, or a private party with mixed groups, close-up work keeps small groups entertained without requiring a stage, lighting rig, or everyone's attention at once.

Cabaret and Stage-Style Magic

Cabaret magic is the larger-audience format. The site describes TJ Shoesmith as a "Close Up & Cabaret Magician," so cabaret is a distinct offering rather than an upgrade of close-up work. It fits events with a seated audience and a focal point — an awards dinner, a company celebration, or a party with a designated performance moment.

The practical distinction matters when you book: close-up fills time across a room, while cabaret concentrates attention at one moment. Many events use both, with close-up during reception and cabaret later, but that is a programming decision to confirm with the performer rather than an assumption.

Family Entertainment

The site lists "Family Entertainment" among its headings, indicating that the performance can be pitched to include younger guests and mixed-age audiences. If your event includes children — a family celebration, a community event, or a party with several generations present — raise this when enquiring so the material and format are matched to the audience.

Credentials Behind the Performance

The site's awards and appearances section gives concrete markers of standing in the magic profession:

These are useful when comparing magicians for a formal event, because they show recognition in both close-up and stage disciplines — matching the two formats offered.

Coverage and Booking

Performances cover the whole UK, so location outside a single home city is not a barrier. The site gives a booking phone number, 07940 573265, as the contact route. The available material does not state prices, so fees and availability need to be confirmed directly rather than inferred.

Choosing Between the Formats

Use this as a starting point, then confirm details with the performer:

• Guests standing and mingling, or seated at many tables: close-up or table magic.
• A seated audience with a single focal point: cabaret.
• Children or a mixed-age guest list: ask about the family entertainment option.
• Both a reception and a later performance slot: ask whether close-up and cabaret can be combined in one booking.

The main thing to settle before enquiring is your guest count and room layout, since those determine which format will actually work on the day.

To book TJ Shoesmith, call 07940 573265 with your event date, location, audience size and the format you want (close-up, table, cabaret or family entertainment). The site presents booking as a phone enquiry rather than an online checkout, and it does not publish prices, so cost and availability are confirmed directly with him. He performs UK-wide, which means events outside his home area are within scope but still need to be discussed on the call.

What to Have Ready Before You Call

A short, specific brief makes the first call more useful. Prepare:

• Date and timing — when guests arrive, when you want magic to happen, and how long you need him.
• Venue and location — town or city, plus whether it is a private home, hotel, wedding venue or corporate space.
• Event type — wedding, party, corporate reception, family celebration and similar.
• Audience — approximate guest numbers and whether children will be present.
• Format preference — see the options below.
• Budget range — since no pricing is listed, a range helps the conversation move quickly.

Choosing the Right Performance Format

The site lists four performance headings, and the right one depends on how your event flows.

If you are unsure, describe the room and the schedule on the call and ask which format fits. Many events combine formats — for example, table magic during dinner followed by a cabaret set.

What the Credentials Tell You

The site lists awards and appearances that are worth knowing when you are comparing magicians:

• Member of the Inner Magic Circle (with Gold Star)
• Winner of the Magic Circle Close Up Competition, 2013
• Runner-up, Magic Circle Stage Competition, 2013
• Winner of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Championship, 2007
• Regular at The Magic Castle, Los Angeles
• Appeared on Monday Night Magic, New York
• Performed on Royal Caribbean and Silversea luxury cruise lines

For a booker, the practical reading is that he has competed and been judged in close-up and stage formats, and has performed in both UK and international settings. That supports a choice between close-up and cabaret work, but it does not tell you his fee, his availability on your date, or how he handles a room like yours — those come from the call.

Questions Worth Asking on the Call

• Is my date available, and how long is the performance?
• What is the fee, what does it include, and are travel costs extra?
• How much space and what setup does each format need?
• Can you work around a meal service or a tight schedule?
• Do you need a sound system or a table for cabaret?
• What is the booking and cancellation process?

Common Snags to Avoid

• Leaving it late. Popular dates go first; call as soon as the date is fixed.
• Booking a format that doesn't fit the room. Close-up magic needs guests who can gather; cabaret needs an audience that will sit and watch.
• Forgetting the children. If families are attending, say so and ask about family entertainment.
• Assuming a published price. None is shown on the site, so treat the call as the point where cost is settled.
• Skipping the schedule. Tell him exactly when you want him to perform relative to speeches, food and arrivals.

Next Step

Call 07940 573265 with your date, venue, guest numbers and preferred format. If you are still deciding between close-up and cabaret, ask for a recommendation based on your room and timetable — that single question usually settles the format.