Monty Gupwell

***Matt M. Gupwell***, or *The Fool Monty*, is a professional Children's Entertainer and Wedding Entertainer here to entertain, amuse and to make sure that wherever he is that people have fun and lots of it.

Monty will cover the whole of the UK with his Wedding Entertainment and up to 1 hour away from Solihull, for Birthday Parties.

For children ranging from 3 - 7 years old:

Monty's 1 hour Mediaeval magic experience

Monty's 2 hour Mediaeval magic experience

Both include a mixture of magic, fun, balloons models and interaction. The 2 hour party also includes a "have a go" session with Jester skills as well as one of Montys signature fire breathing shows which are a great finale.

For slightly older children up to 10 years old I can tailor make parties to suit them.He will place the emphasis more on the "get involved and have a go" so that everyone has fun and accomplishes something to.

Remember parties are not only for Birthdays. Whenever you're planning a gathering and there will be children present, think "Monty" for a stress free way to keep them happy.

Being a full time Motley Jester is Montys profession. He is very proud to be a real Court Jester and take it very seriously. Whether it's your Children's Birthday party, your Wedding day, a Fun Day or Fete he can guarantee entertainment that people will be talking about for a long time after your event.

Monty is a highly respected Fool. He is the Court Jester for Warwick Castle and can be found most school and bank holidays, performing family shows and Jester skills with his Jester Partner as well as lighting up the main arena with my fire breathing shows.

One of the last professional fools has urged the country’s growing band of Youtube fire-eaters to think of the risks involved.

Monty Gupwell, one of only 10 full-times jesters in the UK, fears the DIY flame-swallowers are courting disaster.

The 44-year-old, from Solihull, speaks from experience.

His health has suffered to the extent doctors have urged him to quit. He’s also lost three friends to showbiz disease, fire-eater’s lung.

Monty, a member of the Jesters Guild, said: “A cardiologist told me one performance is the equivalent of smoking 20 full strength cigarettes.”

The former resident fool at Warwick Castle has radically cut-down.

He said: “I used to do 250 fire-eating shows a year, now it’s down to 15. I did stop for three years because it had made me really ill - ulcers in my mouth, damaged teeth...”

Monty began feasting on fire when 17 and spent years painstakingly honing his performance. But now lessons in the ancient art are available on social media - and videos of young people foolish enough to try their hand.

His warning is: those with a burning desire to tackle fire-eating should learn from the pros.

“I lost three friends through fire-eating.” he said. “Poor technique is the danger.

“People don’t realise it is not just the fire, it’s the gas the fuel produces. You only breathe through your nose. I spent months simply holding water in my mouth for long periods. I take my technique very seriously.”

Monty is much in demand at children’s parties, wedding receptions and even seminars. He’s still a regular turn at Warwick Castle.

And the trained circus performer - he’s also a dab-hand on stilts - is a man of many parts.

Last night (Saturday) viewers watched him tackle the famed course on ITV challenge show, Ninja Warrior UK - in full jester’s costumes.

Monty, married with two children, certainly has what it takes to tackle the extreme event. He’s a master of slacklining - balancing on thin webbing - and bouldering, rock-climbing stripped down to its bare essentials.

Next month he opens his own climbing business, Flash Climbing Centre, in the centre of Solihull.

Despite juggling a number of jobs - and juggling is one of them, Monty is a jester at heart. When the bells on his cap ring, he’s up for tomfoolery. But the former salesman has suffered for his art.

“I’ve been injured,” he admitted. “I’ve broken my wrist on stilts, I’ve broken my thumb. At A&E they dosed me up with (painkiller) Tramadol and I managed to finish the show with fire-eating. I didn’t remember much about it.”

Baiting audiences, in true jester style, can also be like playing with fire, particularly at boozed-up stag or hen nights.

“The skill of a jester is knowing where the line is, knowing where to tread,” Monty said. “I have the experience to make sure trouble doesn’t happen.”

Monty decided on a comic career 10 years ago after becoming stuck in a rut. “Ten years ago I was in a job I hated in sales. I’d previously managed the entertainers at Warwick Castle and I thought, I can do that.”

For Monty, the rise in bogus jesters - wannabes who believe a garish costume is all it takes - is no lauging matter. To be a true court fool, you have to know your history.

“I call them Polyester Jesters,” he sneered. “They may be able to juggle, but they don’t know a thing about being a jester. They think it’s all dressing funny and jingling bells.

“We know our history, we know how to perform. Every costume is unique. Jesters can be traced back to the Second Century BC in China. And they were never executed for failing to entertain, although they could be humiliated by being placed in stocks.”

The costume, crafted by a seamstress next-door neighbour, is dear to Monty. “I’ve never been shy about going to Tesco in my costume,” laughed Monty. “I tell staff, ‘you’re wearing your costume, I’m wearing mine’.”

But his days as a medieval entertainer may be numbered. “I said I’d be a jester until I’m 50. I’ve had a very good run, but I’m 44 and not getting any younger. It’s a tough market,” he added.

Looks like the West Midlands most traditional funnyman is facing the final bell.

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