The hospitality trade is a competitive business, not least in the Lake District where the sheer number of hotels and restaurants can make standing out from the crowd a difficult business. To make their customer’s experience memorable for all the right reasons several top hotels and restaurants in the area have sought the services of one of the region’s more unique and exciting entertainers…

Paul Everson is a performer that specialises in mind-reading and psychological entertainment. He is able to divine pictures and words merely thought of by participants, manipulate and predict decisions, reveal when someone is lying, and demonstrate a host of other bizarre skills.

And it’s a mix that’s proving very popular. “When I started doing this I had no idea how well it would go down,” says Paul, “but the response has been terrific.”

Paul began developing his skills when, as a school teacher, he first became interested in psychology. “I used to spy on the really good teacher to see how they did it,” he confides, “and was fascinated by how they were able to use their voices and body language to literally manipulate the children into doing what they wanted..” From there he studied hypnosis and suggestion techniques, rediscovered a love of magic and psychic phenomenon (though he claims to have no psychic ability at all), and has spent the last five years putting it all together into the polished performance that he offers today.

Since making the decision to turn professional Paul’s client base has been steadily growing. Initially having to contact hotels and restaurants directly to offer his services he is now able to rely on word of mouth and repeat bookings. Paul recently performed at the Storrs Hall Hotel ( 015394 47111), a booking he was offered after the owner had seen him perform elsewhere – “He’d been at a party where I’d completed a short performance, then I received a call a few weeks later booking me to do my hour long platform show at the hotel– It was very flattering knowing that he trusts me enough, and was sufficiently impressed, to let me loose on his paying guests!”

Paul is also developing the corporate market, most recently adding Lakeland Limited to his list of clients. “My use of body language, people and language skills, and psychology seems to appeal directly to the business world,” he says, “When performing for such an audience I try to include some segments showing them how my skills can be used in a business setting. For instance many people will know about mirroring – the way two people in rapport with each other will subconsciously copy each others movements – to increase your rapport with a client you may wish to deliberately mirror their posture and so on. You can increase the effectiveness of this technique by listening carefully to the language they are using and including similar words when you speak to them. But as with all these techniques one must be subtle..”

Paul’s favourite place to perform continues to be restaurants however, where he is able to move from table to table, working on a more intimate and personal level. New Year’s Eve saw Paul performing at Lucy’s on a Plate, Ambleside (015394 31191). “Ultimately I can keep diners entertained while waiting for a table or between courses – but more importantly the real benefit is to give customers a memorable experience, something to talk about over their meal and, vitally, plenty to talk to other potential customers about afterwards.”

If you would like more information or to make a booking then Paul Everson can be contacted on either: 015394 88588 or 07870 612479 or emailed at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it