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For the second year of the "Magic Seats Recognition Awards", we have expanded the number of categories and opened up the voting for all awards to be chosen by our site readers. Virtual recognition for artists who have featured on this site in the last year.
We received just over 1,000 votes over a 5-week voting period which isn't bad for our small niche site. Thank you to everyone who voted and to the nominees, many who in turn advertised the awards and encouraged voting. Some awards had clear favourites from the initial vote opening and others were more hotly contested.
When the voting opened, I copied nominees into a post and have since been able to make personal contact with most winners. While in an ideal world it would have been lovely to have been able to present physical awards, for the time being at least it needs to be kept as virtual recognition to celebrate the nominees and winners. All winners appearing in our virtual trophy cabinet at the end of this post. All available to snip/copy along with winner and nomination graphics.
Thank you once again to the many readers for voting. Your support of live artists is appreciated and do check out the links in the awards sections below to find out when these artists are performing, how you can book them and what shows are available.
For the best viewing experience reading the award results, I would recommend the desktop version of this page.
Martin at
Magic Seats Readers Award
WINNER
FOUR MAGICIANS
Best Touring -
Stage Illusion Show
WINNER
Matricks Illusion
Matricks Illusion comprises of:
Alex Jesson
Emily
Kelsie
And Team
Website to learn more:
"Four Magicians" brings together four of Scotland’s top magical entertainers for shows full of wonder and illusion.
The ensemble team consists of Smith & Burns, Eoin Smith and James Dickson. Each award-winning magicians in their own right and now entertaining as a collective. For stunning magic, big laughs and surprises, do check out their link page for shows here.
Gaining over 55% of the readers vote, "Four Magicians" certainly proved popular. The Magic Seats review for their "Homecoming Show" is also worth checking out and it was written by guest reviewer Nicolas Maulet and can be viewed here.
Also a big congratulations to all the nominees that featured in the readers awards.All nominees feature as least once on this page with links to their websites. The first three are in this section with others listed later on this page. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Ali Cook, Angus Baskerville, Ben Hart, Four Magicians, High Jinx, Hudson & Hudson, Jamie Allan, John Archer, Kane & Abel, Magic INC, Manuel Martinez, Matricks Illusion, Penn & Teller, Pete Firman, Richard Jones and West End Magic
Best Touring Stage Illusion Show
WINNER
MATRICKS ILLUSION
Matricks Illusion was founded by Alex Jesson and his sister Emily in 2004. An established stage Illusion act that has been performing for 20 years. Recent success has included performing as part of the BGT finals in 2022 which also featured Alex's wife Kelsie who is now also part of the team.
Magic Seats was finally able to see them perform a couple of times this year and reported two positive reviews. Readers must feel the same having placed 51% of the votes for "Matricks Illusion".
To learn more about Matricks Illusion, visit https://www.matricksillusion.com/
To read the Magic Seats reviews:
Matricks Illusion "Reimagined" review
"Masters of Deception" review
Congratulations also to Ali Cook and High Jinx for being nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Ali Cook
High Jinx
Matricks Illusion
Best Short Set Performance
WINNER
PHILIP PARTIDGE
AKA "MAGIC PHILIP"
Philip Partridge aka "Magic Philip" is a very successful children's and family entertainer.
Magic Seats was lucky to see Philip perform at the IBM British Ring No.25 picnic this year, presenting his grown-ups show. A hilarious short set during the early evening gala/end of picnic show.
"Magic Philip" is one of the top children's entertainers in Manchester and performs at events throughout the UK. Philip gained 46% of the vote and proved popular with many Magic Seats readers.
To learn more and book "Magic Philip" for an event, please visit his children's entertainment site here. Alternately for more grown-up family entertainment, click here.
Congratulations also to Danny Lee Grew and Oli Ward for your nominations and performances at IBM events. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Danny Lee Grew
Oli Ward
Philip Partridge
Best International Show/Short Performance
WINNER
PENN & TELLER
Penn & Teller continue to prove popular and after last year's tour, they have now announced a follow up tour next year in the UK to celebrate 50 years in show business as magicians.
I did review last year's show which has been included in the 2024 awards as the 2023 awards were earlier in the year. An enjoyable show that many readers also agree are their favourite performers. I was also lucky to also see Aaron Crow and Oliver Henning perform shorter set pieces as well which were both excellent.
Voting wise, Penn & Teller achieved 41% of the vote. To read the previous show review, read here.
Congrats also to Aaron Crowe and Olivier Henning who were also nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Aaron Crow
Olivier Henning
Penn & Teller
Best Touring Theatre/Parlour
Show
WINNER
BEN HART
I have been able to see Ben perform a couple of times which includes the "Jadoo" show during the eligible period for shows reviewed for this year's awards.
Ben started performing as a child and in recent years, he tours extensively around the world, appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe most years and he has also featured on BGT. More recently it was reported in the press that Ben had also acted as a consultant working on the last Tom Cruise "Mission Impossible film.
Hopefully we will see some more tour dates announced soon for 2025. Congratulations Ben on your award and you achieved 43% of the vote.
Do read our show reviews for "Jadoo" here.
For Bens website, visit here.
Congrats also to Angus Baskerville and Richard Jones who were also nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Angus Baskerville
Ben Hart
Richard Jones
Best Double Act
WINNER
KANE & ABEL
After watching "Kane & Abel" perform on Zoom about 4 years ago, I had been hoping to get to see them perform live for a while as I followed their career. Finally, I was able to see a couple of their shows this year onboard the P&O "Arvia" cruise ship.
An extremely funny performance which left my family and I in hysterics. As they do perform a lot, they appear to have quite the following. Another example of an act that has been performing since childhood and in this instance, encouraged by their grandparents.
Congratulations to "Kane & Abel" for gaining 40% of the votes and winning this award.
Congrats also to Hudson & Hudson and Taylor & Rebecca who were also nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Hudson & Hudson
Kane & Abel
Taylor & Rebecca
Best Comedy Magic Show
WINNER
JOHN ARCHER
When this website first started nearly 5 years ago, John kindly agreed to being interviewed. More recently, the site was also able to see him perform at this year's IBM convention.
John appears very popular with site reader's and he is of course known for his TV appearances, including "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" and of course "BGT". Site wise, we have reviewed his shows a couple of times and know that he is extremely funny. It is guaranteed that he will have you laughing.
Voting wise, John Archer achieved 38% of the vote. To read the previous show review, read here.
Congrats also to Hudson & Hudson and Kane & Abel who were also nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Hudson & Hudson
John Archer
Kane & Abel
Best London West End
Show
WINNER
WEST END MAGIC
"West End Magic" is the longest West End Theatre show at 11 years old. Now also regularly touring the country with shows.
This amazing show features Oliver Tabor, Wayne Trice (MC), Vicky Butterfly and guest artists. Oliver entertains solo and as part of "The Glamourists" with Vicky. Wayne not only acting as MC but also creating lots of humour and magical moments.
Many years ago, I got to see "West End Magic" appear on Zoom. While I have seen the performers solo acts, it was good to see the West End show that they are famed for.
Show dates for 2025 are beginning already to be released. Voting wise, "West End Magic" achieved 41% of the vote. To read the previous show review, read here.
Congrats to Jamie Allan and Penn & Teller who were also nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Jamie Allan
Penn & Teller
West End Magic
Best Magic Seats Interview
WINNER
LOUISE ANRÉE DOUGLAS
Louise has always supported the Magic Seats website and has been interviewed twice. Starting off as a dancer/actor who progressed to magic/stage illusions and performing solo and as part of "Chicks n' Tricks."
Louise is extremely busy as an artist and her first interview with the site was about 4 years ago, with the most recent taking place during the Summer of this year (24).
Louise performs nationally throughout the UK and regularly also performs in pantomimes. Also, a supporter of the children's charity "Spread a Smile", entertaining children in hospital.
Voting wise, Louise Andrée Douglas achieved 41% of the vote with many reading her chats with this site. To read the latest interview II "More Magic & Illusions", read here.
Congrats to Jamie Allan and Natalia Love who were also nominated. Click on their photos for links to their websites.
The Nominees were:
Jamie Allan
Louise Andrée-Douglas
Natalia Love
If using any of the virtual awards, please do link to the Magic Seats homepage, your interviews or reviews that feature your act. Thank you.
Please contact us for any bespoke graphics, transparent backgrounds etc. related to these awards. Personalised nominee awards also possible.
