A. Solitaire Entertainments Ltd has company public liability insurance to the value of £5m.

Click on the image for confirmation of public liability insurance (PLI).

A. All our equipment has PAT (portable appliance tested) certificates and is regularly serviced.

Click on the image for confirmation of portable appliance testing (PAT).

A. This depends on the function. We always use equipment appropriate to the size of your function. There's no point in bringing a sound system to fill a stadium for an intimate dinner/dance and on the other hand it would be totally inappropriate to turn up for a marquee event with a small sound system and a couple of lights.

For a dinner/dance for up to 150 people a sound system of between 600 to 1000 Watts, including 4 speakers, CD decks and 4 lighting effects would be appropriate. This is only a basic example, and could be made bigger or smaller depending on the clients needs and requests.

For those more technically minded or interested in sound and lighting equipment, some of the manufacturers we use for sound are Ohm, JBL, Mackie, Electro Voice, Gemini, Yamaha, Peavey, Studiomaster and Denon. Lighting, again, depends on the size of the room, but DJs use moonflower, scans, barrel effects and moving heads from manufacturers such as Mad, Martin, Acme, Isolution and Abstract. Some of these effects can be linked together to produce a stunning light show, and used with good effect with starcloths and ultra violet effects for a complete light show. For something more subtle we also use LED products to create beautiful ambient washes and effects in rooms.

Click here too see a light show in action.

A. Yes, as long as we think they are appropriate for the function. We'd rather not play songs with swearing in them, as this could offend someone, and we definitely do not play football songs, as again this has been known in the past to cause trouble. When you make a booking with us, we will ask for a short list (up to 20) of your favourites songs to be played during the evening, and then leave the rest to us as we have years of experience in knowing what people will dance to.

A. This again depends on the size of the rig being used and the access to the venue. On average between 30 to 90 minutes, but we always ask for at least an hour to cover ourselves.

A. Yes, you will receive two copies of our booking contract, one to sign and return and one for your records. We will also include a copy of our terms and conditions.

A. We would be only too pleased to give you the contact details of our regular clients and customers.

A. All DJs carry music from the 1940s upwards and will play according to the ages of people attending the function and also to the wishes of the client. An open mind is always the best policy, as you never know what people will want to dance to. Our DJs are all very experienced and can generally read a dancefloor and play accordingly. We do play songs that people know and love, whether it be a 60s classic, some 70s disco or the latest dance tune. In essence, something for everyone.

A. Most of our regular venues don't allow smoke machines or haze machines, so generally we don't use them, although we have got them should you want one for your function. We don't use strobes unless specifically requested to.

A. Please contact us for a quote for your function. More information is needed to give you an accurate price. We would need to know how long the function is, where it is, amount of equipment needed and what access to the venue is like. We are registered for Vat, which is charged at the current rate.

A. We are based in Reading, Berkshire and most of our work is within 20 miles of our base, including Reading, Newbury, Bracknell, Wokingham, Slough, Maidenhead, Lower Earley, Woodley and most of Berkshire, but if you wish us to travel outside of our area, we will make a surcharge which will be included in your quotation.

We can also provide mobile discos and DJs, karaoke and quiz nights for Surrey, Middlesex, London, Hertfordshire,Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire,  Hampshire and Wiltshire.

A. Appropriately for the occasion. Dinner/dances and wedding receptions are nearly always dinner jacket and bow tie. Birthday parties and other events would normally be smart trousers and shirt or lounge suits. Fancy dress is always an option that we would participate in.

A. Yes we do. Please click here to read all about Mr Mayhem.

A. We have access to spare equipment should anything go wrong, although this is very rarely needed.

A. An advance payment of approximately 25% is taken when you return the contract to us and the balance is payable a minimum of 7 days in advance of the function. We accept cheques or cash and most major debit and credit cards but do make a 3% surcharge if you wish to pay by credit card. All bookings are subject to Vat at the current rate.