Hints & Tips for a Successful Event 

For sit-down meals where numbers exceed approximately 120 guests, there is a chance that Fay will not be able to get around all of the tables within the duration of the meal. In this situation, we would recommend booking one (or more) of Fay’s highly esteemed colleagues to work alongside her. Factors such as number of guests per table will determine whether or not an additional magician is absolutely necessary – please call your booking agent at NMP Live for specific advice and details of Fay’s assistants. Please note that for cocktail receptions only, guest numbers can be significantly higher.

Fay works best with tables of 10 people; Banquets work better with tables of ten – for some reason, ten is a magic number. Tables of 8 have lower energy levels, 12 and above and it’s harder to hold conversation across the table. Large tables of twenty can be undertaken but require a subtle change in emphasis and approach.

They look lovely and can cost the earth, but sticking a huge floral display or centre-piece in the middle of the table not only makes it harder for everyone to see the magic, it makes it even harder for your guests to simply interact with one another, and to watch any speeches or cabaret that may follow. Please keep centerpieces low.

However good the restaurant / hotel or however efficient the staff, kitchen delays are inevitable when catering for large groups of people. Use Fay to cover these gaps — entertaining your guests while they wait. Your guests will be so taken-a-back by the magic, they won’t even notice the delay.

When clients host say 20-30 guests seated on one large table in a private room, we are often asked if Fay will simply perform one mini cabaret at the end of the dinner. However, in these situations, it is far better if Fay is present throughout the whole the dinner, dipping in and out of the room between courses, judging the energy of the room and performing when necessary. She will often do a bit longer during desert and into coffees and you will get far more value for your money.

Fay will not perform during a reception AND sit-down meal. As your guests arrive at the venue, let them settle in. They will soon be seated for dinner and they won’t all welcome an entertainer pouncing on them as soon as they walk through the door and whilst having a catch up with their friends / colleagues. Also, if Fay approaches a table and half the guests have just seen her perform 10 minutes ago, the initial impact is lost. Let Fay break-the-ice at the table and wow your guests.

When performing to groups standing up, Fay may ask guests to choose a playing card, hold a prop, or simply assist her with the magic. This isn’t easy if your guest has a drink in one hand and food in the other. Place a number of tall bar tables around the room to allow them to easily rest their glasses or plates.

Allow your guests time to settle in, say hello to friends / colleagues and get a drink. However wonderful the magic, the last thing your guests want is an entertainer jumping on them as soon as they walk through the door. We would recommend Fay starting approximately 30-40 minutes after your guests arrive – but please call us to discuss your specific event and timings.

Fay will not perform during a reception AND sit-down meal. As your guests arrive at the venue, let them settle in. They will soon be seated for dinner and they won’t all welcome an entertainer pouncing on them as soon as they walk through the door and whilst having a catch up with their friends / colleagues. Also, if Fay approaches a table and half the guests have just seen her perform 10 minutes ago, the initial impact is lost. Let Fay break-the-ice at the table and wow your guests.

Fay Presto’s after-dinner cabaret offers the same style of high-impact and astounding magic as the close-up / table entertainment but involves the audience as a whole and can include a number of your guests participating in the show. Your schedule of events for the night and venue suitability permitting, the Cabaret represents the ideal way to round off an evening or bring the focal point to the front of the room before speeches commence. Please ask NMP Live for further details.

If you’ve booked Fay to perform cabaret to the whole room, or you have speeches during your event, make sure there is a well lit designated area of the room with sufficient space — ensuring everyone can see and that there are no major objects (such as pillars) obscuring sight lines. A microphone is helpful for over 75 guests and a raised platform helps focus the attention on the performance area. PLEASE REFER TO FAY PRESTO’S RIDER FOR MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS (A copy of Fay’s rider will have been emailed to you with the booking contract).

Following dinner, if you’re due to have speeches, ask Fay to perform a few minutes of cabaret first. She won’t perform her full half-hour act, but these few minutes will relax the audience and capture their attention — ensuring the focus remains in the direction of your forthcoming speaker, who will begin their presentation in front of a room that is in audience mode, rather than drifting back from the cigarette break and comfort stop. These few minutes of magic will make the world of difference. Alternatively, if your schedule permits, why not book Fay with her full half-hour ‘user-friendly’ cabaret.

The more information we have about your event and your guests, the better. Please provide as many details as possible prior to the day. Number of guests, nationalities and language abilities (English as first language or common language) dress code, any colour themes, age range, industries represented etc.

Fay cannot, and will not, suddenly transform herself into a Samba dancing Ukrainian speaking legal expert wearing a delightful turquoise and fuchsia outfit, but a little foreknowledge can influence her choice of costume and material.

To help Fay integrate with the evening it is also helpful if we also know about any other entertainment you have booked, including meet & greet entertainers, cabaret acts, bands, after-dinner speakers etc. If you haven’t already arranged the other entertainment, NMP Live (www.nmplive.co.uk) would be delighted to facilitate this for you.

A copy of Fay’s rider will have been emailed to you with the booking contract. Please refer to this for details regarding her requirements such as parking, accommodation (if required), dressing room etc. This is a standard rider covering all jobs and not all the points will necessarily apply to your event. Please check with NMP Live if you have any queries or are ensure about any of the requirements. Everything asked for is designed to enhance Fay’s performance and Fay works best when she is well looked after and cared for! 

Certainly. Once a booking is confirmed, we always encourage clients to speak directly with Fay. Please call NMP to arrange this.