James Szeles ...Interesting!

Hi, Some of you may remember I had a bit of a run in with an American Hypnotist, a while ago, who threatened to have my site closed down, me sued for all sorts under copyright law and I cant remember what else - me vapourised or something!!
Well, as you can all see, I am still here! and trading fine, as my solicitors correctly predicted!
The interesting thing I mentioned though, is - someone (who will remain nameless, in case it upsets James Szeles [pronounced Zeles, the 'S' is silent, apparently!]) has given me a video of the afore mentioned Szeles they bought on eBay! ...Interesting as I said!

Another busy bank holiday!

Well, it's been another busy, but satisfying bank holiday weekend!
I have just completed four shows in four days and three of those shows have already said they want to book me back! (I must be doing something right).
I have been quite lucky this time round, three of those shows were quite local (less than an hours drive), only one long distance one, one trip to Bicester and back, some 550 mile round trip.

Is this the most unusual gig?

Over my many years in the business I have worked some strange jobs, I have worked in peoples houses, in marquees in peoples gardens, in home made marquees in peoples gardens (with the professional DJ working from the garden shed), I have worked on river cruise boats, in an outdoor, open air market (in the rain!), at 5am in a casino, at a stately home, in a cinema (several times), in a shopping mall, even in a fruit and veg market and in a cattle market (minus the animals!).
But I think my newest one is the best, I have just been booked to perform at a zoo!
Have you ever done a more bizarre hypnosis show?

Tough Night

I had a return booking at a private family club in London at the weekend.
Usually a return visit means an even better night than last time,as people know what to expect and are keen to give it a try.
This was the exception to the rule! Got to the bit where I ask for volunteers and no one came up (begging really is an ugly emotion!).
We took a short break and tried again, this time we got a few, reluctant, volunteers but it was tough. Although I got a few into a light trance there was really only one workable subject, a 14 year old boy, he was fantastic!
So, we did a very impromptu show and I included, for the first time, something Chris James (www.chrisjames.info) had told me about. I did a question and answer session with the audience (a great little time filler, thank you Chris).
Anyway, the client was still pleased with the night and that is why we do this!

New kid on the block

I have now started training a new pupil, Kev Bee,he is already showing very promising signs.
He even has the first showings of a website sorted out! www.kevbee.co.uk

Small but perfectly formed!

A few days ago I drove all the way to Bells golf club in the Forest of Dean, on arrival I find out that they have only 26 people booked, my heart sank!
However it turned out to be a really great night, they had a meal and a close up magician first then my cabaret spot. I was very lucky, even though there was only 26 there, 8 volunteered and I hypnotised 7 of them.
The hotel are already talking about re booking for later in the year and promoting it differently and there may be another booking from a family that were there on the night!
But it was a long way back and it was the night the clocks changed, so it seemed to take even longer!

Have you done a rougher, tougher gig?

Over the Easter holidays I have had the pleasure of performing at one of the roughest, toughest venues I have ever been to.
On arrival I was pleasantly greeted by the shimmering surface of the car park, only to realise that was all broken glass!
I looked at the venue to notice all windows were fitted with re enforced safety cages around them!
On arrival I needed the loo, so popped into the gents and noticed that all the cubicles had had their toilet seats either stolen or broken and on closer inspection I noticed that none of them had locks on the doors!
When I went inside and to the bar I noticed that the till was protected behind a big wrought iron grill, Inviting! I thought!
However, the crowd were a little rough and ready but the show went well and as a bonus, when I left, my car was still where I left it and undamaged, that's what I call a good night!
Have you worked anywhere rougher?
P.S. Whilst there, I used the staff toilets behind the bar, they were no better and the light bulb was missing (or stolen)!

It's a busy Easter!

Just finished show two and another four to go!
This Easter I am working six days out of the next seven, luckily most of them are fairly local, the only longish distance one is tomorrow, in Liverpool.
The first two have gone down really well, both venues are rebooking for later in the year, because they had such a good response.

Not a trophy hypnotist!

Bit of an unusual event this week!
Arrived at a gig in the Midlands, it was a five a side league presentation night. Spoke to the duty manager and he explained where he wanted me to set up and he proudly showed me the pool table stuffed full of trophies.
We discussed the show, times etc. and he told me that he wanted me to follow the presentations.
Well, the agreed start time came and went and we only had 3 teams turn up to get their trophies and 1 of them was definitely not staying for the show and the other 2 would quite liked to have watched, but no way were they going to take part.
So I got paid, packed up and did the long drive home!

STILL BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT!

Hi Everybody!
Great news! I have just confirmed my re booking at Alnwick castle, this December, for the Duchess of Northumberlands' staff and childrens Christmas party.
I performed there a few years ago and, apparently, they are still talking about it and want more of the same again this year!

Please read the contract before cancelling

Unfortunately, I have just had an unpleasant experience with a venue in Hull.
I phoned the venue the day before I was booked to appear to double check the arrangements, to be told he thought someone else had been in touch to cancel me.
I explained that they had not and there was nothing I could do about it at this late stage anyway.
I listened to his excuses, and although I was now entitled to full fee, made him a very generous offer for a cancellation fee. He refused and tried the old cop out of he did not sign and return the contract. I pointed out that in British law once you offer someone an engagement (even verbally) it becomes a contract (although this one is often hard to prove without witnesses), however under the terms and conditions of my contract even if he did not sign and return the contract if he does not raise any objections within 7 days it is deemed to have been accepted.
He still feels he is exempt from this, even though I pointed out that I am a member of Equity and that they have successfully sued Booker's, several times, in the past under these terms.
I have now referred this to Equity who will claim my full fee, plus interest, plus any court costs.
This is now going to cost him a lot more than the cancellation fee I was willing to accept!

Should have paid more attention in those Geography lessons!

Almost made a bit of a hash of a double booking last week!
I had an early evening booking in the diary for what I thought was Chatham, so it did not seem too unreasonable to accept a late booking for a squaddies "Going to Afgan party" in Canterbury.
This should of been only some 20 or so miles apart, quite acceptable. However on the day, I get both contracts out to find out the first gig is not in Chatham, it is in Caterham in Kent, some 70 miles away.
I was very luck, with some rushing about and very fast driving I managed to pull off both gigs to both clients satisfaction.
Plus the squaddies want me back for their coming home party in six months time! (Good luck out there lads, come home safe!).

"As You LIke It", Like it!

Just recently performed a gig at a new Cabaret venue in My home town of Newcastle, As You Like It.
It went very well and was well received by patrons, staff and the local licencing officer who came along to vet my show.
In fact I have been re booked for two more dates!
This is a great new cabaret venue and I wish them every success!