Flabbergast & Friends

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!

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.

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.