By strange coincidence the lovely boys in our photoshoot (see pp22–25) are the nephews of George, of Sharkey & George fame. The word on the street is that these two ex-Etonian friends are a sensation at
kids’ parties. We thought we would discover whether they are in fact any good at entertaining a crowd of children, or whether, as we suspected, it is that London mothers have fallen for their charms. Never before
have parents lingered at party drop offs.
My next door neighbour Sam, with her four girls, has 30 children's parties under her belt, and made the perfect reviewer. The shared girls’ party comprised of twenty 4–5 year-old girls with a couple of token
younger boys. A day or so before the party, they were told that Sharkey was to be replaced with – shock, horror! – Hannah.
After reeling from this news, first impressions were great. Hannah was at the door, welcoming little ones, and really engaging with them. George started the entertainment flowing. They began by playing some old
favourites like Simon (George!) says.
It was all incredibly high energy, not at all seedy like some rather more long in the tooth entertainers and it was a sheer joy to behold – lots of smiling faces and bright eyes. At tea, the lovely Hannah and George helped dole out food and paid special attention to the birthday girls. After tea it was icing biscuits time – all ingredients and tools provided – followed by a high octaine game of "fishy, fishy, fishy". Flame throwing
outside brought the party to an end with every man, woman and child enthralled.
Sharkey and George will do any sort of party. This was just a general one taking into account the girls' ages but they do football, scalectrics, cooking, you name it. They also hire out mannies in the holidays to entertain and exercise kids. Sharkey and George head the company. There are three other two-man
teams but also some helpers for busy times but if Hannah is the standard of their helpers, there is no need to worry if you don't get the full S&G double act.
So it isn’t all about their looks and youth after all. Phew! Sam concludes: ‘Incredibly good value for money and a pleasure to do business with.’ 2-hour party £270 + VAT sharkeyandgeorge.com 7373 4008