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Flabbergast & Friends
- Centreville, VA
- Comedy Magician
- Travels up to 30 miles
- $150 and up.
Overview
Old-fashioned wonder and whimsy! Costumed performer combines family-friendly comedy with classic illusions and puppetry! Over 45 years experience amazing and amusing audiences from coast to coast. Your event will be the hit of the season with one of our live shows by a professionally trained entertainer and award-winning costumer! Choose a Renaissance conjuror, a Victorian magician, or other themed guise to add life, laughter, and color to your festivities!
Now available for events in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. Insured and vaccinated for your safety.
* Stand-up parlor shows
* One-hour birthday package
* Strolling closeup
* Balloon twisting by the hour
Prepare to be Flabbergasted!
43 Reviews
Mr. Flabbergast is the best. Everyone looking for a magician look no further and book him. We have had the pleasure of seeing him twice. Once for a ten year old party and then for my daughters sixth birthday. He tailors the show to the age group. He does balloon animals patiently and amazingly. He’s funny, nice, on time and the kids laughter made everyones hearts happy. Can’t say enough about him!
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Aw, thank you, Lindsey! Your review made my morning! Thanks again for inviting me to your daughter’s party. I’m so glad everyone had a good time. It would be my pleasure to come to any future event where your family might like some more magical mirth!
Flabbergast was the perfect choice for our birthday party for a 10 year old that also included guests as young as three. He brought his own wizardly background music to set the mood and explained that if kids remained seated during the performance each would receive a balloon sculpture at the end. They were all mesmerized during his magic tricks and when a puppet emerged to join the party, the kids were doubled over laughing at its antics. He thrilled the birthday girl by asking her to assist him with a few tricks. Flabbergast’s balloon skills are incredible as well. He offered some ideas that matched the theme of the party but was able to create whatever animal each child requested - octopus, cat, fish, even a spotted giraffe!
It is obvious Flabbergast loves entertaining kids and understands what triggers wonder and laughter. I highly recommend him!
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician, Puppet Show
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you so much, Mary Ann, for that lovely review! I had a great time with your family and friends, and the birthday girl was a joy to entertain! Hope to see you all again sometime.
We would have paid double for Flabbergast. I cannot stress enough how incredible he was! After sifting through every entertainer in the tri-state area, we ended up hiring Flabbergast for our daughter’s 8th birthday. He was extremely timely and professional from the get-go. We had about 20 kids (boys and girls) and about 20+ parents attending and he captured and held the kids’ attention the entire time while the parents mingled. We opted for the balloon twisting afterwards which was 100% worth it! Flabbergast is the cream of the crop and would give him all the stars for making that party absolutely fabulous!
Children’s Party Magician, Holiday Entertainment, Interactive Performer, Medieval Entertainment, Strolling/Close-up Magician, Variety Entertainer, Comedy Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Taylor, I am moved almost to tears by the generosity of your review, as well as the phenomenal tip you gave me! It was an especially enjoyable party for me to entertain, and I was so pleased with everyone’s responses to the show and balloons. I certainly look forward to seeing some of the same children at future parties! Thanks again for having me.
Had some cute acts and the kids really loved him. However the parents were stressed because he could have had more patience with the kids. They were six and yes kept interrupting a bit to try and ask questions but there was a bit of frustration shown toward the kids, as if he wasn’t used to dealing with little kids who can’t help interrupt. Luckily I don’t think they noticed as much as the parents were cringing, and the act was good for them, but something for him to be aware of because quite a few parents were annoyed.
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician, Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
We are sorry that your experience with us was not 100% satisfactory. The strong gusts of wind really threw the performance off, and there was concern that it would be less than our best. That’s no excuse, but we will try to learn from your comments and do better next time.
My son desperately wanted a balloon artist/balloon twister for his birthday party. Flabbergast & Friends was wonderful! He was flexible on scheduling, very reasonably priced, and helped me figure out how to make the payment via GigSalad as I'm new to the platform. And the kids, ages 2 - 12, loved him! He was the highlight of the party, and even took strange requests from the kids like for a set of balloon nunchucks (and his creation looked really cool!) Even an hour after he left, the kids were still running around playing with the creations. Highly recommend!
Balloon Twister
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Julie, thank you for the very kind review. You were a wonderful hostess, and it was a pleasure meeting the birthday boy! I had a lot of balloon fun with the kids! I’m glad I could contribute to the success of the party.
Happy holidays!
Mark reached out 3 days in advance to talk throught he logistics and answer any questions we had. He showed up on time and was great with the kids. I would highly recommend hiring him, for anyone looking for baloon twisters for their party.
Balloon Twister
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you, Amol, for the kind review. I had a very good time with your family and friends. You were such a comfortable client to work with, and while I typically don’t eat at parties where I entertain, I’m glad I made an exception for yours and sampled a little bit of the delicious food! I hope to see you all again sometime.
I have to start by saying he was late to the event and I never saw him leave. We got some good footage of him performing, I waited to see his performance a few times and he would only look past me as if entertaining the person who hired him was not necessary. He did give a good show, we got more reviews for the juggler ( Abby who we got from gigsalad she was excellent ) I would suggest, being ontime.
Comedy Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Patrice, we are very sorry to hear that you were not completely satisfied with Flabbergast as your strolling magician. Your candid feedback is appreciated. Not sure how it appeared that he arrived late, as he checked in 20 minutes before his start time and was directed by Diane to wait in the break room until he was called for. Also, we apologize that he didn’t entertain you personally, or check out with you before leaving, but you appeared busy with the event operations and he didn’t want to interrupt the flow. Please accept our apologies, with the understanding that some communications can break down at large events like these. Every effort was made to accommodate the dynamics of the event, and the guests seemed entirely pleased with Flabbergast’s performance. He had a wonderful time with them!
He is well-equipped and all the kids enjoyed his balloon tecnics
Balloon Twister
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for the review, Mulugeta. It was my pleasure to provide entertainment for your daughters’ birthday celebration!
Kids enjoyed the ballon twist! A great highlight for my son’s birthday party.
Balloon Twister
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for your kind review, Feng! I’m glad I was able to bring some balloon fun to your son’s celebration!
My 1st grader and her friends had a great time. The magic kept them riveted. Flabbergast came as Dumbledore for a Harry Potter themed party and customized his act for the character. It was very entertaining!
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thanks for your kind review! I had a great time, and enjoyed bringing laughter to your kids and their friends. Great party!
was right on time and had excellent crowd or kids control. Id hire again
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for the kind review, Brian! I had fun with your son and his friends. I hope he enjoyed the show and that he has a good time with the magic tricks from Flabbergast!
Thank you for making my 6yo son's birthday party a huge sucess. All the kids had a great time and loved the balloons at the end. You were able to keep the attention of about 20 5 & 6 year old children for the entire show while providing lots of giggles. Thank you!
Very impressed with this entertainer. Great communication before hand. He was very accommodating. Nice costume and presentation. Kids loved it , Overall perfect experience!!! Highly recommend it
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Daria, thank you for your kind review! It was a pleasure to entertain your daughters and their friends at the party. I hope they enjoy their magical gifts!
The kids had a blast! Great job and thank you!
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It was fun! I loved the enthusiasm of the kids and the appreciation of the adults. I’m grateful to have been chosen to entertain at your party! Thanks also for the extremely generous tip!
Kids loved it - made the party for the kindergarteners
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for the review. It was my pleasure to celebrate your son’s birthday with you!
Wow!! Talk about a bunch of happy kiddos [and parents] The giggles that spread through the crowd! Thank you for making my son's 5th (& 1st peer) birthday party a big success. Paulita is absolute favorite!!
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Achievement unlocked! This was such a fun group of kids! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the show. I certainly enjoyed doing it! The birthday dude was awesome! Thank you for sharing your gracious review and adorable photo, Emily. I hope we meet again sometime!
Flabbergast the Wizard performed at our ice cream shop's Halloween event. There were tons of families and little kids. He kept everyone fully entertained for the full 45 min show. He came early to set up a great sound system and everything went perfectly.
Fun show! Kids at the summer camp had a great time!
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for inviting me to join your summer lineup! I had a wonderful time with your children. Hope to see you again sometime.
Flabbergast came to our backyard for my daughter’s party. It was a hit! He practiced all social distancing protocols and even wore gloves when blowing up balloons. Fantastic treat!
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thanks for your kind review, Dana, and for inviting me to entertain for your daughter's birthday! She was great, and I think we all had fun! Thank you also for your considerate planning in celebrating together while keeping social distancing practices in place. I was happy to cooperate with you to make this happen. It was a sincere pleasure!
Wow, and I mean wow! He was funny And he knew just the perfect response for kids who were being out of line. We had 25 kids and some kept interrupting, but Flabbergast was able to reel them back in and get them to focus at times. He is just amazing and patient.
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for your kind review! You were a gracious hostess, the birthday girl did her part perfectly, and I think everyone had a good time, including me! Hope to see you all again sometime!
A masterful performance and the audience was charmed. We were definitely flabbergasted!
Flabbergast was fantastic. I would give him more stars if they were available. He was very pleasant with the children. Gave them a choice of what they would like the balloon to look like. Excellent service. I will be calling this company again next year for sure.
Balloon Twister
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you, Lori! It would be my pleasure to return for another event.
He was great! Kept the kids and the adults entertained and was a pleasure to work with. We had to change our event date due to illness and he was great about accommodating our needs. Would definitely recommend.
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you for your kind review. It was a pleasure entertaining at your party. Your son is adorable!
Flabbergast was awesome as usual we have used him before and he is very professional and the kids love him!
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you, Christine, for your kind review! I had a wonderful time at the festival. It’s quite impressive how the event has grown since the last time I was there! Great people, great fun! I hope to see you next year!
Flabbergast made an appearance at my summer camp & the campers loved it! He was great with the kids, they adored his jokes and he even brought his own special guest. Thanks again, Flabbergast, for your time and an incredible performance!
Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me, and thank you for your kind review.
My twins turned 3 and we had a big birthday party for them. Flabbergast was a surprise and the little ones at the party loved him. My 4 year old was his biggest fan and took a great pic with the friendly Wizard. He dresses & acts the part seamlessly. Book him and Enjoy!
Flabbergast came and performed for my twin sons Birthday party. He was very professional and courteous. The boys were very entertained by his performance. I highly recommend him.
We had the pleasure of having Flabbergast the Wizard perform at our one year old twins' birthday party. He was absolutely the highlight of the party - he was funny, engaging, entertaining, and most of all the kids loved him. I highly recommend hiring Flabbergast!!!
We had Flabbergast for our daughter's birthday party and we were very satisfied with the show. He has jokes for young and old. He handled the multi age group well. We started a little late, but he stayed until every kid had a balloon figure, so it was fine. I definitely recommend his services.
He did a good job, kids had fun laughing all along.
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician
The younger children loved Flabbergast and his puppets.
Children’s Party Magician
Awesome job ! We had 16 plus kids. Age 3-12. Mark did a awesome job. The older kids made it a bit difficult for Santa. ( not believing in Santa anymore ) But Mark handled it extremely well.
Santa Claus
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thanks, Jeff! It was a pleasure. Merry Christmas!
We were so happy to have such a great Santa for our Santa Brunch! He was perfectly punctual, engaging for children and adults, and extremely entertaining. He was also very accommodating and easy to communicate with. The children were overjoyed and Santa made the whole morning magical. We look forward to booking him again next year!!
Santa Claus
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
It was indeed a pleasure. Your group was fun to visit with. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Flabbergast did a fantastic job at our child's birthday party (age 7). The children laughed so hard, and he did it all with a wonderfully innocent humor and old fashion fun. He was also very good at lending a gentle hand to get the children settled down when things got too rambunctious. We definitely recommend him for any type of family event!
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Entertainment, Children’s Party Magician, Comedy Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
It was such a pleasure to entertain at your son's party! He's a fine young man, and I am honored to have been requested. I had a splendid time, myself! I look forward to seeing your family at the next local Renaissance faire.
It was great having Santa at our function. He was entertaining and engaging with the kids...young and old!
Santa Claus
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thanks for having me, Dan! It was a fun event. I enjoyed meeting your staff and clients! Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Our event was a HUGE success and we were incredibly thankful for how easy going this Santa was! He rolled with our changing schedule as the event became larger than anticipated! We would HIGHLY recommend this vendor anytime!!!
Santa Claus
The adults enjoyed it just as much as the kids. Thanks for making Nathan's first birthday so memorable.
Flabbergast Wizard always delivers an outstanding performance! A true professional, top notch...book him today, you will not be disappointed!
Balloon Twister, Interactive Performer, Santa Claus
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you, Charlotte! Always a pleasure!
Small party in my home for 2 six yr olds and 2 two yr olds and a about 10 adults. Birthday kid was treated with respect and made to feel really awesome! Program held every ones attention, was just the right length of time, and was humor was age appropriate and still funny! Delightful. Highly recommend.
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thank you, Sue! It was a pleasure meeting you and your family. I'm glad I could bring some personalized fun to your grandson's birthday celebration. He seemed to get a kick out of it, and hopefully a happy memory for a long time!
He is very good at engaging the kids and controlling the stage. The kids love it and everyone enjoyed him kids and adult.
Balloon Twister, Children’s Party Entertainment, Interactive Performer, Comedy Magician
It was very entertaining
Balloon Twister, Comedy Magician
We decided to hire Flabbergast to host a magic show and costume contests for our science fiction convention. We were not disappointed! He is great at interacting with people of any age and a wonderful person with much personality! The kids absolutely love him! We would definitely have him back!
Costumed Character, Interactive Performer, Puppet Show, Strolling/Close-up Magician
Response from Flabbergast & Friends:
Thanks, Melanie! I was so flattered that you wanted me as a guest at your event, and I had a great time! Everyone was so friendly, it felt like home. I look forward to the next time!
We saw Flabbergast at Mysticon a few years and new immediately that we wanted him to be a part of our annual event "Geek Mob Roanoke". We couldn't have been happier when he agreed to join our geeky fun event. Guests of all ages quickly fell in love with him as did we. His magic tricks are always fun to watch and the way he interacts with kids is fantastic. I really love to see a performer talk TO kids and not down to them and Flabbergast does it right every time. We plan on having Flabbergast back to our event as long as he will have us. I recommend him any chance I get to others just as I am to whomever is reading this now. Not only will you meet a great performer but you will more than likely make a friend as well.
Balloon Twister, Costumed Character, Interactive Performer, Puppet Show, Singer/Songwriter, Strolling/Close-up Magician, Variety Entertainer, Comedy Magician
Booking Info
Price Range: $150 and up.
Gig Length: 30 - 60 minutes
Languages: English
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial General Liability
Unions: FCMI Member
What to Expect
Our shows consistently get the biggest responses from children ages 4-9, but many adults have commented that they really enjoy it, too! Our goal is to keep the audience safe, engaged, surprised, and laughing for 30-45 minutes at a time. Our original fantasy characters embody the timeless, classic parlor magician experience, with fanciful costumes and colorful props that add up to some uniquely fun photo opportunities and lasting memories for your child, family, and friends! Our brand of comedy is a blend of silly and sophisticated, and always within a mild PG rating. (Almost no bathroom humor!) Kids especially love our lively puppet shenanigans!
A portable PA system and backdrop are available for larger performance spaces.
A one hour birthday visit from The Wizard typically includes a hilarious comedy magic show with puppetry and audience participation, suitable for all ages. The birthday child gets special attention as the "star of the show"! Great photo ops! Add balloon sculptures for all children under 12, plus a magical gift from Flabbergast for an additional fee. Every child is always celebrated respectfully and given playful attention within their comfort zone.
What’s your event theme? While the Wizard is our most popular character, the performer can also appear as a Neo-Victorian conjurer, a Renaissance Man, Commander McBragg the jungle explorer, and/or as a costumed balloon sculptor, for stand-up shows or close-up strolling on an hourly basis. For walk-around entertainment, Flabbergast can stroll with perplexing pocket tricks and/or puppets, or line up for custom-made balloon creations! A truly lovable Santa is available for the holidays! For something completely different, ask about our old-timey sing-along!
About
Flabbergast and his friends are played by northern Virginia resident Mark MacDicken. Mark holds a BFA degree in Drama from the University of Southern California, and an MEd. in Special Education from George Mason University. He has charmed audiences at such theme parks as Kings Dominion, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disneyland, as well as in stage productions or closeup strolling for Keebler, Kaiser-Permanente, Fairfax County Parks & Recreation, Comedy Sportz, Adventure Theater at Glen Echo Park, Dave & Buster’s, Smithsonian Institution, New York City Public Library, Loudoun County Public Libraries, NPR, Kiddie Academy, Jellystone Park Campground, Herndon Festival, AwesomeCon, Chik-fil-A, Queen City Mischief & Magic in Staunton, Cox Farms Fall Festival, in addition to countless private parties and company celebrations.
Additional Booking Notes
We strive to make our performances adaptable to almost any venue, from a family room to a 300-seat theatre. Outdoor shows are dependent on the weather, and a level playing surface is required. The performer brings everything needed for the show, which can include a backdrop and/or PA system if the venue requires them. Set up time can range from 5 to 45 minutes, depending on the performance.
Our shows are always safe! Typically, no fire or sharp objects are used. We choose not to work with live animals, as we consider it a possible safety risk to the animal as well as audience members, as the animal’s behavior is not always predictable, and some audience members may be allergic. Puppets are much more reliable, require almost no cleanup, and are almost as cute! Please be aware of any latex allergies before requesting balloon sculpting.
Strolling characters/balloon sculptor can arrive in costume and ready to go! Just show me where you want me! No dressing room required, but if you have one with the lights around the mirrors and a fruit tray, that's even better! Breaks are required for engagements longer than two hours. Access to a nearby restroom is greatly appreciated.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FLABBERGAST SHOW
1. Performance Space
• Indoors is better than outdoors.
• A performance space of about 8ft x 8ft square, with all seating arranged in front,
not on the sides.
• Outdoor shows work best on a flat, level surface, under shelter, with a wall or other
boundary behind the magician. Please speak with the performer if you’re planning
to have the show outside.
• Indoors, have a wall directly behind the performer without doors or windows. A
curtained window is okay.
2. Seating
• Children may sit on the floor just outside of the front of the performance space.
• Other seating may be arranged facing the performer and behind any children
seated on the floor.
3. Theatre Environment
• No toys, loose balloons, or food items in the area during the show.
• For outdoor shows, please instruct children to leave nature as it is, which means no pulling up grass, sticks, or rocks from the ground.
• Indoors, television and music should be off during the show, but music may be played during balloon-twisting.
4. Adult Supervision
• Hosts are responsible for ensuring adult supervision for all children during set up before, packing up after, and the entire performance.
• An adult:child ratio of 1:5 is recommended.
• Disruptive children should be moved to the back of the audience to reduce
distractions for the performer and the rest of the audience.
5. Show Set-up Time
• For birthday parties, allow 5-15 minutes.
• For shows requiring sound equipment, please allow at least 45 minutes for set-up
before the show.
The performer provides all necessary equipment for the show. For larger venues, an electrical outlet for sound equipment may be required.
Influences & Inspiration
Mark grew up watching children's television through the 1960's and '70's. He's been influenced by Shari Lewis, Captain Kangaroo, MisterRogers, Sesame Street, the collected works of Gerry Anderson and Sid & Marty Krofft, as well as the Muppets. He also loved watching magicians like Mark Wilson, Doug Henning, and David Copperfield. Mark has been a long-time fan of science fiction, fantasy, and comic books, which shows in his character creations. The character "Flabbergast" developed as a composite of such familiar wizards as Merlin, Gandalf, and Dumbledore.
Setup Requirements
All characters come self-contained, all materials are provided, and in most cases nothing is needed from the client other than about 40 square feet of open floor space and an audience!
Most often, available lighting is fine.
For larger venues, your sound system may be used, or a portable sound system can be provided by the performer if requested.
A nearby electrical outlet is usually required for larger venues.
Set up for the magic show takes about 5-15 minutes, and can be done in front of the audience.
Please note: some magic tricks cannot be performed while surrounded, so a wall, curtain, or backdrop of some kind is preferred (not a window!).