Family and Children's Entertainers, The Podcast

Welcome to another episode of Face The Podcast, the go-to vidcast and podcast dedicated to children and family entertainers! In this roundtable episode, hosted by Gordon Drayson, a full-time professional children’s entertainer, we dive into lively discussions with our special guests Kerry Jay, Jelly Kelly, and Paul Longhurst.

This episode is packed with insights as we tackle various topics that resonate with entertainers everywhere. We explore the art of evolving your show—should you overhaul your entire show or just swap out a trick? Discover the heartfelt story of Kelly’s challenging show that left her in tears, and how she transformed that experience into a learning opportunity.

Our panel share their thoughts on the shifting trends in bookings and the impact of advertising strategies in today’s market. We dive into the nuances of gender dynamics in entertainment, discussing how being male or female can affect perceptions and bookings in the industry.

Join us as we uncover the secrets behind creating a memorable show, whether it’s through maintaining high energy or weaving a captivating narrative. Our guests also share their personal experiences and strategies for overcoming challenges and embracing the joys and complexities of being a family entertainer.

Whether you’re an aspiring entertainer or a seasoned professional, this episode promises valuable takeaways to enhance your craft and business. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain wisdom from a diverse group of entertainers who are passionate about what they do.

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Join Gordon as he talks to Kerry, Kelly, and Paul in FACE, The Podcast

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In this episode of “Face the Podcast,” host Gordon interviews Kelly Robinson, better known as Jelly Kelly, a vibrant children’s entertainer from the UK. Having started her career in 2001 after being inspired by an unimpressive children’s entertainer at a party, Kelly pivoted from her job in the film industry to pursue a career in entertainment, driven by the desire to manage her work-life balance and spend more time with her daughter. Throughout the interview, Gordon and Kelly discuss her unique approach to engaging both children and adults in her shows, her early experiences and challenges in the entertainment industry, and her journey of self-teaching magic and balloon twisting. Kelly emphasizes the importance of keeping parents involved in her performances and shares insights into handling various venues and audiences, especially in challenging acoustic environments.

Kelly also delves into her personal experiences with ADHD and how it fuels her energetic performances. She candidly discusses the challenges and triumphs of working with special needs children, sharing heartwarming anecdotes of breaking through barriers with laughter and joy. The conversation touches on her participation in the Blackpool Magic Convention’s Family Entertainer of the Year competition, highlighting the lessons learned and her reflections on performing on such a grand stage. Additionally, Kelly talks about her experience during the COVID-19 lockdown, where she adapted to virtual shows, maintaining her connection with audiences worldwide. The discussion wraps up with Kelly sharing her aspirations for the future, including her desire to expand her presence beyond live performances. Gordon and Kelly’s conversation provides a comprehensive look at the life of a dedicated and passionate children’s entertainer, offering valuable insights into the world of family entertainment.

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[00:00:00]: Introduction to Kelly Robinson Interview

In this episode of “Face the Podcast,” host Gordon Drayson interviews Paul Longhurst, a professional magician and children’s entertainer. The discussion begins with a brief introduction to Paul and his journey from a career in IT to becoming a full-time entertainer. Paul shares how he decided to leave his IT job after a life-changing realization that he wanted to pursue his passion for magic and entertainment. He elaborates on his unique approach to children’s entertainment, emphasizing a theatrical experience that empowers the birthday child as the hero of the party. Paul’s rich background in amateur dramatics and music greatly influences his current style, which focuses on storytelling and audience engagement. He also discusses his collaboration with Gordon in their double act, “Pip and Paul,” which combines magic with improv for a unique family entertainment experience.

Throughout the conversation, Paul highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting to remain passionate about entertainment. He shares insights into the skills developed through his IT background, such as building efficient booking systems, and how they aid his current business. Paul and Gordon reflect on their shared experiences, including the development of their double act and their exploration of improv skills, which enhanced their performances. They express excitement about reviving “Pip and Paul” in 2025 and explore future creative projects. The episode concludes with a humorous recount of how Paul was sacked from the Royal Shakespeare Company, offering a glimpse into his colorful and varied career journey.

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Chapters

[00:00:00]: Introduction to Paul Longhurst Interview

In this podcast, Kerry Jay, a former dancer and West End performer, shares her journey transitioning into children’s entertainment. She discusses starting as a dancer and singer, moving through various performance avenues like summer seasons and pantomimes before deciding to move to entertaining children. Kerry explains how she incorporated magic into her shows to engage young audiences, emphasising the importance of creating a professional and high-quality entertainment experience through themed costumes, music, and games.

The conversation also explores how the challenges and skills required for close-up magic, including handling different audiences, are similar and different to those needed for children and families. Kerry highlights the adaptability and creativity needed for crafting engaging shows for diverse audiences, using her diverse skills and experiences in both high-end performances and children’s parties. Kerry offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of children’s entertainment as it applies to her, showcasing the professional challenges and rewards of performances in adapting their talents to create memorable experiences for audiences of all ages.

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Chapters

[00:00:00]: Introduction to Face the Podcast

[00:00:52]: Introduction of Guest Kerry J

[00:02:00]: Kerry J’s Background in Entertainment

[00:06:10]: Early Performance Experiences

[00:09:10]: Pursuing Dream of Being a West End Star

[00:14:34]: Transitioning to Children’s Entertainment

[00:21:17]: Performing in Chicago

[00:23:34]: Transitioning to Les Miserables

[00:30:00]: Diversifying Entertainment Shows

[00:43:24]: Structured Party Format and Feedback

[00:53:03]: Female magicians in the industry

[00:55:05]: Skills needed for family and children’s entertainers

[00:55:53]: Performing at children’s parties

[00:57:06]: The differences between stage and close-up magic

[00:58:31]: Kerry’s passion for the circus

[01:00:53]: Circus workshops at children’s parties

[01:02:27]: Experience of working in the West End

[01:05:41]: Kerry’s approach to new opportunities

[01:08:37]: Acting as character mascots

[01:11:24]: Kerry’s flexibility in incorporating new themes

The second of a two part interview with Ian Adair.

Ian Adair, a former employee of Supreme Magic Company, shares his experiences and insights into the world of children’s entertainment and magic. Ian discusses the simplicity of magic effects and prop design, as well as his process for creating new tricks. He expresses his desire to be remembered for his contributions to the magic community. The interview also touches on the decline of Supreme Magic Company and changes in management that led to its closure. Overall, the interview provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by magic companies, the importance of audience engagement, and the legacy of Supreme Magic Company.

In addition, the interview highlights the importance of mentorship in the magic industry, with Ian mentioning his mentor and the value of fool audience participation. The interview touches on the marketing tools and strategies necessary for booking magic shows in schools, as well as the creative process of inventing new tricks. Ian emphasises the need for originality and knowledge of existing tricks to avoid duplication. Throughout the interview, Ian’s passion for magic shines through, as he discusses his dedication to creating new tricks daily and his willingness to share his ideas with fellow magicians.

Join Gordon as he talks to Ian Adair in this, the second part of his interview, in FACE, The Podcast

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Chapters

[00:00:00]: Introduction

[00:02:37]: Gordon’s first experience at a Supreme Super Day

[00:06:00]: Magazines and publications for learning magic

[00:08:59]: Ian and Gordon discuss their favorite magic props and books

[00:10:12]: The downfall of Supreme Magic Company

[00:13:05]: Ian’s departure from Supreme and transition to full-time performer

[00:13:40]: Summer Season Shows

[00:16:23]: Importance of Mentors like Cedric Richardson

[00:18:17]: Fool Audience Participation (FAP)

[00:20:50]: Using Props and Terminology in Magic

[00:22:08]: Discussion on Bicycle Cards

[00:23:39]: Using Magic Fingers and Silk Hankies

[00:24:12]: Magician Look Don’t See Routine

[00:24:38]: Simple Thumb Tip Trick

[00:25:48]: First Impressions and Importance in Magic

[00:25:52]: Props and Set Design

[00:27:39]: Creating a Theatrical Experience

[00:28:56]: Importance of Visual Detail in Magic

[00:30:49]: Brochures vs Websites

[00:33:18]: Lessons Learned from Booking Mistakes

[00:34:25]: Satnav Mishaps

[00:35:13]: Trix and Stixs Convention

[00:35:24]: Sponsor – Introduction to Booking Blueprints School Edition

[00:36:56]: Introduction to marketing tools

[00:38:26]: Different ways of inventing magic tricks

[00:39:57]: Tricks suitable for performance and marketing

[00:41:08]: Starting with a unique effect

[00:42:19]: Adapting tricks from toys and stores

[00:43:35]: Creating variations of existing tricks

[00:44:48]: The story behind “Farmyard Frolics”

[00:46:11]: Advice on studying trick instructions

[00:47:36]: Exploring different versions of paddle tricks

[00:49:03]: Importance of knowing past inventions

[00:50:21]: The Importance of Sharing Ideas

[00:51:42]: The Role of Magic Dealers

[00:52:54]: The Quest for New Tricks

[00:54:18]: Challenges of Global Distribution

[00:55:34]: Language Differences and Misunderstandings

[00:56:01]: The Art of Inventing Magic Tricks

[00:57:13]: Performing Magic for Children

[00:58:20]: The Power of a Climax in Magic Tricks

[00:58:53]: The Multicolored Knife Trick

[00:59:55]: The Creative Process of Inventing Tricks

[01:02:17]: Origination and organization of ideas

[01:03:42]: Keeping the mind fresh with new ideas

[01:04:27]: Health problems and staying active

[01:06:14]: Pride in past creations

[01:06:20]: Number of published books

[01:07:30]: Writing for Magic Scene magazine

[01:08:53]: Versatility in children’s entertainment

[01:09:16]: Older methods of communication

[01:10:51]: Importance of business cards

[01:11:54]: Lost volume of Encyclopedia of Children’s Magic

[01:13:21]: Desire to be remembered by fellow magicians

[01:14:18]: Remembered as a clever man and a sharer

[01:15:06]: Enjoying conversations with magicians

[01:15:27]: Thanking Ian for his time and looking forward to future creations

[01:15:40]: Final words and wishes for the audience

[01:15:53]: Reflection on the interview with Ian Adair

[01:17:15]: Ian’s dedication to creating and performing magic

[01:18:44]: Encouraging feedback and suggestions for future guests

[01:19:46]: Closing remarks and farewell

The first of a two part interview with Ian Adair.

In this episode of the Face the Podcast, host Gordon Drayson interviews Ian Adair, a renowned children’s magician and author. Ian shares his early beginnings in magic, starting with a Christmas gift from his grandmother that sparked his interest. He delved into magic books and joined the Kilmanok Magic Circle at 13. Ian reflects on his magical journey and the mentors who played a significant role in his development, highlighting the influence of Bill Milligan. The episode also talks about Ian’s passion for the art form that led to his illustrious career in children’s magic.

We talk about Ian’s early experiences with children’s magic shows, the use of rabbits and doves, and his admiration for magician Channing Pollock. He talks about his television career, working as a presenter on Scottish television and the interactive nature of children’s shows. Ian also discusses his experience with writing and publishing books, his long time collaboration with The Supreme Magic Company, and the success of on of his tricks called Dressing Doll. The conversation explores the changes in the world of magic over time, the decline of physical catalogs, and the challenges faced by magicians today. We also discuss the importance of preserving the history of magic while reinventing and modernizing tricks for today’s audiences.

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Chapters

With with Richard Pinner, Chris Frost and Gordon Drayson

In this roundtable discussion, two family and children’s entertainers, Chris Frost (also known as Frostie the Magician) and Richard Pinner, discuss with Gordon Drayson, the importance of their performing names and the challenges they face in different markets. Chris embraces his eccentricity and oddity, staying true to his unique brand, while Richard maintains a versatile approach with separate brands for different audiences. They all agree on the importance of entertaining both children and adults, recognising that engaging the adults can lead to bookings for other events.

They also discuss their approach to performing for children and transitioning to adult shows. They emphasize the need for a strong opening to grab the attention of adults during children’s shows. The speakers discuss the importance of creating magic that the audience doesn’t understand and involving the audience in the magic to create a strong reaction. They also explore the importance of building trust and likability with the audience.

The discussion then shifts to the role of social media in promoting oneself as a performer. The speakers highlight the need for separate online presence for their performing characters and personal accounts, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining a consistent and relevant social media presence. They also mention the importance of social proof for potential clients.

They also touch on the challenges of location, maintaining originality, and managing disruptive children during performances. They all share their approaches and techniques, such as using unique routines and improvising based on audience reactions.

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Chapters

In this episode, Richard Pinner, a well-respected magician and entertainer in the UK, discusses his experiences growing up in a magical household and his journey into the entertainment industry. He learned magic through osmosis and by watching his father’s shows repeatedly, developing his own unique style and constantly changing his performances to keep them fresh and engaging. Richard also shares anecdotes about introducing his own children to the world of magic. We speak about the insights into Richard’s background as a magician, his childhood experiences, and his approach to creating and evolving his shows.

We also discuss his experiences as a children’s entertainer and the challenges they face. We talk about the importance of recording shows and keeping detailed records, as well as the need for adaptability and continuous improvement. Richard highlights the value of more structured and theatrical performances over traditional party games, and we discuss the difficulties of dealing with poorly behaved children. Richard emphasises the significance of professionalism, record-keeping, and the ability to adapt to different environments and audiences.

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Chapters

In this episode, we learn about the life and career of Chris Frost, better known as Frostie, a family and children’s entertainer. Frostie prefers holiday parks, festivals, and theatres with big audiences and high engagement rates. He describes his act as a variety show that includes magic, ventriloquism, singing, and other types of entertainment, and believes that his act is best suited for big audiences. Chris emphasises the importance of attention to detail, storytelling, and emotional connection with the audience in creating a magical performance.

He also provides insight into the creative process and challenges of developing magic tricks for children, including the importance of creating a narrative for each trick and making the audience believe they have witnessed something magical. He also explains his thinking between creating magic that is seen as a clever trick and magic that is seen as truly magical by the audience.

Chris talks about his experiences with bad gigs, including one where they he was pelted with mud by a child and another where they had to improvise for four hours at a children’s football party. Despite these challenges, his passion for entertaining allows his to enjoy what he does.

Chris talks about the importance of finding one’s passion, being open to learning from others, and constantly pushing himself to improve. He tells us that he has problems with imposter syndrome and self-doubt but is determined to overcome them and continue pursuing his love for magic and entertainment.

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Terry Herbert Interview.

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Terry Herbert, a well-known figure in the world of children’s entertainment, discusses his early interest in magic and how he became a children’s entertainer. He talks about his first instructional video for Supreme, his favourite effects, and his experience entertaining royalty, offering valuable insights and advice for other entertainers.

Terry mentions some of the tricks he used to perform, including the “sucker beaker vanish,” a vanishing stick of dynamite, and the Balloon Fish trick. We discuss our opinions on sucker tricks, with Terry stating he doesn’t like them unless they have a funny ending.

Terry started as a Red Coat at Butlin’s and eventually became a full-time magician and bought an agency that used to book him. He also did film extra work and modeling, and appeared on several TV shows, including Paul Daniels’ Magic Show and The Best of Magic. Terry credits his time at Butlin’s for teaching him the importance of selling himself and being likable to audiences.

Terry Herbert also talks about his career in children’s entertainment, discussing some of the challenges of performing for children and how he honed his act over the years. He shares anecdotes and memories from his career, including his friendship with Howard Peters and his decision to go full-time as a magician. Terry believes that the best thing about being a children’s entertainer is the joy and laughter that you bring to the audience.

Terry shares his experience and advice on performing for children, emphasizing the importance of experience, individuality, and hard work in achieving success in this field. He suggests using the information provided by experienced performers to develop one’s own routines and style.

He encourages aspiring performers to make their own decisions and take advantage of the resources available to them, such as books and lectures by experienced professionals.

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