We Love Local: Bertie and Boo

Tell us a little bit about Bertie and Boo?

Bertie and Boo is an organisation dedicated to entertaining children, from our magic shows to educational television programs to our kid friendly coffee shop and Adventure Island in Balham.

When and how did Bertie and Boo first begin?

Bertie and Boo is the third generation of magicians in their family. The tradition first began with their grandparents Martha and Derek who designed and built their own props for magic shows, many of which are still used by Bertie and Boo on stage today! Bertie and Boo’s mother then took over the family wand, performing in the 60’s under the name ‘Lollipop’ . After spending many years accompanying their mother to her act, the duo started performing their own magic tricks throughout the country and their enterprise has been growing ever since.

Tell us a bit more about Bertie and Boo’s magic act.

The Bertie and Boo theatre company recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and now perform over 1000 magic shows every year throughout London. Work ranges from imaginative children’s parties to entertaining corporate clients with elaborate magic shows, 12ft stilt walking and wondrous stage illusions.

What about your television program.

Bertie and Boo television productions have teamed up with award-winning production team Lion Productions to create a brand new enterprise incorporating a children’s television series for international distribution, a book series to accompany it, and online materials to back up the educational element of the show.

Finally, tell us about Bertie and Boo Adventure Island.

Bertie and Boo Adventure Island opened 2012 and was designed to bring the existing companies together under one roof. A big 100 seated coffee shop with a 2000sq ft imaginative play-space and theatre for children aged 0-6.

It’s packed with junior climbing walls, soft play shapes, slides, tunnels, interactive music-and-dance areas, puppet booths and a sensory play zone for toddlers. A magical world where brave children walk the plank into “shark-infested” ball pits, sail the seven seas and dig for ancient buried treasure. Bertie and Boo provide weekly toddler sessions (4 years and under) throughout the week with story time that involves cheeky puppets, magic and interactive song-and-dance sessions ensuring the little ones learn a host of skills as well as play.

Bertie and Boo have come together with Douglas & Gordon this month to celebrate children leading up to Christmas. If you want to find out about their amazing shows, Adventure Island of kid-friendly coffee shop, visit them on bertieandboo.com . Douglas & Gordon are also currently running their Kids Co Christmas Decoration Project. Find out more about helping kids in need here.