Martin Iarrera

Martin Iarrera is a magician from Zurich who has worked full time since 1991 and, by his site's count, has given over 5,000 performances at events. He offers close-up magic at the table, a stage magic show, a comedy act with costumed characters, and packages that combine them, and he names weddings among the occasions he plays. The homepage describes him "spicing up parties, corporate events, x-mas dinners, weddings or birthdays," and says the show works "Whether it's a small gathering in a hall or a large corporate event with a show stage." For a couple marrying in Switzerland with an international guest list, the key line is on the homepage: "Languages: Swiss German, standard German, English and French." His site has an English version, which is the one linked here.

The magic show

The core act is the magic show, which the site sets at "30-35 minutes or by arrangement." It describes the style as "charming and authentic," "completely unadorned - so to speak, 'unplugged' and without unnecessary frills," and promises "Magic with intelligent humour and style." The effects it names are mind reading, rings that seem to merge, knots that dissolve, three separate ropes that become one, and a table that floats.

The practical detail is unusually clear. The site calls it an "all-inclusive package": he brings the technical equipment for up to 200 viewers, namely "lighting and sound systems, a backdrop curtain, and even a podium if needed," scaled to the size of the event. For bigger events, the site advises booking an event specialist for the technology. On request, the show can be combined with close-up magic at the table.

Close-up magic and the packages

The homepage sums up the wedding logic in one line: "Magic at the aperitif, followed by close-up magic right at the table, or a complete magic show?" The close-up page lists the occasions he plays, from corporate and customer events to Christmas dinners, anniversaries, birthday parties and weddings, and describes the style as "entertaining but unconventional" and "Classics of magic interpreted in a modern way."

Three packages are set out:

• Magic Show: the stand-alone 30-35 minute show, for small or big events.
• Close Up + Show: guests are entertained while they have a pre-dinner drink, then with table magic while they dine. The magician is accompanied by his assistant Nobi, who opens the big show with a quick change.
• Close Up + Show + Madame: the same, with "Madame's breath-taking appearance at the end of the 35-mins.-show."

For a wedding, that structure fits naturally around the apéro and dinner, with the show as the moment the whole room watches together.

The comedy act

The comedy magician page asks "1,2 or all 3 characters? You choose!" and promises quick costume and character changes, "Comedy, magic and variety at its best." The German captions on the page describe "Die schrägen Figuren" (the quirky characters) as part of the show. A couple can choose a straight magic show or add the characters, which lets them set the tone: a formal evening might keep to the magic, a relaxed party might want the full cast.

Other services

The site's menu also lists moderation, a kids' magic show, workshop and school projects, coaching and a shop. For a wedding with many children, the kids' show is worth asking about. The site links to a Fees page and a Terms & Conditions page from the menu, but the homepage itself names no fees.

Press and testimonials

The press section is long. It quotes the Luzerner Zeitung ("Enchanting indeed."), the Entlebucher Anzeiger ("The magician enchanted with magic rings and a levitating table."), the Basler Zeitung, the Thurgauer Zeitung, the Zürichsee-Zeitung ("Iarrera - this name is cult. (...) An absolute insider tip"), Bild in Germany ("swept off their feet"), the St. Galler-Tagblatt, the Rheintaler ("Truly a master."), the Neue Luzerner Zeitung, the Tages-Anzeiger, the Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich and the Glattaler ("A master of illusion"). One longer Zürichsee-Zeitung review is the most useful for a wedding audience: "The audience reacted directly and spontaneously, fervently applauded and sometimes screeched with delight. The interesting performance left young and old stunned. His eloquence was another entertaining factor." There is also a radio interview on DRS3.

Two testimonials appear on the homepage: Raiffeisen ("You amazed us and were absolutely impressive!") and Quintessentially, India ("It is truly a pleasure to work alongside someone as capable and reliable as you. Thank you for your exceptional service."). Neither comes from a wedding.

Booking

The site has "Book here" and "Check availability" buttons throughout and a contact page. It says his long experience makes for "a professional and calm collaboration" with the event organizer. It does not say how far ahead to book, what deposit is required or how cancellations work beyond linking its Terms & Conditions.

What the site does not settle

Beyond the fee question, a couple should ask how long the close-up set runs in the combined packages, how the show is adapted for a guest list above the 200 viewers his equipment covers, and what space the podium and backdrop need. The site does not say whether he charges travel for venues far from Zurich or whether he performs outside Switzerland. It does not say how much of the show is spoken, which matters for a mixed-language audience; given the four languages he lists, the useful question is which one he will perform in and whether he can switch between them. There are no wedding testimonials, so couples who want wedding references should ask for them.

Who it suits

Martin Iarrera suits couples who want one entertainer to cover the apéro, dinner and a proper show, with the technical equipment brought along. The four working languages make him a practical pick for an international wedding in German-speaking Switzerland, and the choice between a clean magic show and the comedy characters lets the couple set the tone. His equipment covers up to 200 viewers.

The caveats are that prices are not stated on the homepage and that the references lean corporate. A couple who wants a quiet, understated evening may prefer the magic show alone to the characters. For a lively reception around Zurich, it is a well-documented, flexible option.