Matt Batstone has entertained hundreds of children over the last 35 years with his Matt’s Magic shows. We caught up with him to talk about his years of magic, silliness and his love of laughter.
Hello Matt. What are your earliest memories of being a magician?
When I was 11 or 12 I used to do magic shows for the kids in our village back gardens. I remember making a advert to go in the post office window in the village saying ‘Free magic shows this summer’ and in no times I was booked up for weeks on end! And the wonderful thing about this is that, I’ve recently been asked to go back next summer to where I grew up and put on a magic show at the local fate full circle! I can’t wait!
What do you love most about being a children’s magician?
The first thing I love is that I can become a kid again and that means being very very silly – I do love being silly!!! I love hearing the children laugh and even better when the parents and carers join in too! And, of course, I love it too so join in with the laughing! There’s no better sound that children laughing – it’s a wonderful tonic for us all.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at a children’s magic show?
The funniest thing is the show itself and watching the children enjoy it. One special memory would be the time that I had a young lady and all she could do was roll across the floor laughing, which then had me in absolute stitches and everybody else too! It was so infectious that we all couldn’t help ourselves! Just brilliant!
What age of children do you work with?
Generally I work between four and six-year-olds, but adults enjoy it too. In fact, I’ve even been asked to do a show for somebody’s 60th birthday and when I explained that I don’t do adult magic, they said, “No we want you to do show that you do for kids!”
Who is your favourite magician?
Well my first magic show was with a Paul Daniel’s magic set which included eight tricks, which I really worked at and loved showing to people. However, my two favourites are Bruce Smith who worked demonstrating magic in Hamley’s toy shop for 40 years, and the marvellous Ben Woodward who’s now on the cruise ships travelling the world. The problem is I just don’t fit in his a suitcase so I have to stay in Bath (which I love!).
If you would like to book Matt’s Magic, go to mattsmagic.co.uk