Quickfire questions with Magic Marta
How did you get into magic and kid’s entertainment?
My partner is a professional entertainer and magician. So, through the fun and magic he showed me, I formed a love for magic I never knew I had.
He taught me it’s not about the props and tricks, it’s all about the fun and the interaction with children. That’s the real magic!
Do you remember your first show?
I’ll never forget it. I was so nervous, not because I didn’t know the tricks, but because I wasn’t sure how the kids would react to me.
I remember walking through the doors of this big house in Malahide and there must have been around 50 kids, and I thought to myself ‘Well there’s only me and them, let’s do this. All I can do is my best and be myself’.
And to my great surprise they warmed to me immediately and the show was a big success.
Looking back, I don’t know why I was so nervous. But I feel it’s important to always be a little bit nervous because that energy encourages you to be the best you can be, and children of all ages inherently sense that.
Tell us a bit about your regular show
My Magic show is pretty much tailored to suit different customers’ needs.
It is full of magic, music, games, treats, balloons, puppetry, face painting, and includes a super cool magical gift!
With my entertainment skills and their imaginations, together we create an unforgettable hour of laughter and fun!
That’s a lot of different activities – how did you learn all of those things?
I was always good at art, I enjoy learning new skills, and I am self-taught.
I used to practice face painting on my niece and nephew. I needed models so badly that I went to the extreme and I made my own model… my daughter Charlee.
She loves it; at least four times a week she’s asks me “Mummy let’s play funny faces!”
Have you had any memorable shows that perhaps didn’t go to plan?
Yes, there was one I will never forget!… It was the month of May, Communion season, probably the busiest month for all kids’ entertainers.
I arrived at the hotel, set up, and needed to use the bathroom. Then my biggest nightmare happened – the lock in the bathroom door broke and I got locked in! I was stuck there for a good half an hour.
The poor manager of the hotel had to drive to B&Q to get tools and then to rescue me.
I got the biggest cheer when I got out and of course a slagging that I was ‘some magician’…they all said ‘why couldn’t you use your magic to get out?’ ‘I’m a magician not an escapologist!’ I replied.
And how did you build the business?
I could tell you I spent a lot of money on face book ads, websites, advertising and the like, but actually it was word of mouth.
I built my own website, I got stuck in, and I got out there and just started performing.
The business grew and grew from parents and customers recommending me.
You see, when you do something you love, it’s not work – it’s a joy and people pick up on that and they want to share it with their friends.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
My Mam & Dad inspired me a lot and gave me the confidence and the skills in life to work hard, to be honest and to be kind to people. My partner Dave taught me how to be funny, engaging and entertaining.
When I was only starting out, I was worried; what if the trick didn’t go right?
Dave explained to me that only you know if the trick went right or wrong, the real magic is the fun.
This advice has stood me well. If only he was as optimistic about my cooking! Or ‘burning’ as he calls it!!
Why do you enjoy doing what you do?
I can’t think of a better way to make a living; bringing fun and joy and a little magic to people’s lives…. can you?
In what other profession can you see the charm and unreserved happiness in people. Children are the real magic in life!
What makes a great kids’ entertainer?
I don’t think you could make someone a kids’ entertainer, I think it’s either in them or it’s not.
If money is your motivation, well then you will never be an entertainer because it’s not a life with a guaranteed steady income; there’s no sick or holiday pay and you never know from one week to the next if you’re working.
But when you enjoy what it is you do, the work comes! I think you unconsciously attract it with your energy that in turn attracts people towards you.
You prosper from that, I’m sure there’s a little LOOK involved too. That’s not a typo or my Polish English (!); it’s my philosophy ‘Look and you will find!’
I gather you have recently had a second baby – that was good timing?!
Yes, my second daughter, Nicci, was born in the middle of this pandemic; it was great timing to be on maternity leave and to really enjoy motherhood.
All my shows were postponed so it gave me priceless time to spend with my girls, and my biggest kid Dave Young! lol
How are you planning to adapt your business in light of the current restrictions?
Well, the only option at the moment seems to be virtual.
It would not be my first preference because I think you can’t beat the interaction with a live audience. We built a studio where myself and my partner perform from.
I’ve performed some virtual shows over the Christmas, and they have gone exceptionally well, but I really can’t wait to get back to doing what I love to do, which is live shows.
There’s no comparison to the atmosphere of a live show versus a computer screen.
You know the old saying “the smell of the crowd, the roar of the greasepaint!”
Did I say that right? Hey I’m Polrish! (That’s what you get when you mix Polish with Irish…Polrish!)
Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you
My first love in life is my partner and my two girls, my second love is entertaining, and my third love is cooking.
In a way it’s entertainment for me to take something from nothing and turn it into something beautiful and then eat it.
Now that’s magic! haha
What do you think of PartyWizz?
What I like about PartyWizz is they are one of the few entertainment companies that take a genuine interest in their performers.
They are very easy to work with and their ability to present their clients with an entertainer suitable for their needs is insightful.
Thank you PartyWizz, it was a pleasure talking to you, and I’m looking forward to a prosperous 2021.
No matter what happens, I will keep the little ones entertained and keep the magic going! After all there are no restrictions on imagination!
