A PAIR of teenage siblings who made history when they became the youngest members of the Magic Circle, will take their award-winning act to South Shields this spring.
Sisters Leah Mae and Sara Jade Devine of Monkseaton, North Tyneside, will appear at the 14th South Tyneside International Magic Festival (STIMF) which is being held at The Customs House from 16-19 March 2017.
The duo, who performs under the stage name Destiny, became the first females ever to win the Magic Circle’s Young Magician of the Year Award in 2015 when they impressed a tough panel at the Magic Circle’s London headquarters.
Now aged 18, Leah Mae has become one of the country’s most exciting up and coming talents, and presents classic magic and illusions while assisted by Sara Jade, 15. Leah Mae is a third generation magician and has been performing since the age of eight.
“Magic is something I’ve grown up with, it’s been a huge part of my life and is something I just love,” she said. “As long as I can remember it’s pretty much all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I’ve been very lucky to have had the chance to learn and perform.
“It’s just normal to me, but other people are often very surprised to find out about it. I don’t really know anything else other than performing, and I love having my sister there on stage with me.”
Destiny is due to appear in two of the public performances at this year’s festival. They will be among the acts opening the four-day event when they appear in the Family Magic Extravaganza on Thursday 16 March.
They will be back on stage again a day later, as they join several other international stars in the Friday night Gala Performance.
“We are really excited about performing at STIMF because it’s a high profile event for the magic world, but it’s also close enough to home for our friends and family to come and see us,” added Leah Mae.
“Performing is something we both love, and we’re both excited about the event. We get to share a stage with some huge names on the Friday night and it’s fantastic that we are going to be a part of it.”
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, is looking forward to seeing the sisters’ award-winning act.
“They may be young, but Leah Mae and Sara Jade are both incredibly talented, the fact that Leah Mae was accepted into the Magic Circle so young is testament to how skilled they both are.
“They are a very exciting act with a very bright future, and I’m thrilled that we are going to be able to see them perform here in South Shields. They are sure to be a huge hit with audiences of all ages.”
Tickets for the Family Magic Extravaganza cost £8, while those for the Friday Gala Show are £14 and £13 for concessions.
For more information on the South Tyneside International Magic Festival sponsored by Magicbox and supported by BBC Radio Newcastle and The Customs House, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival .
For tickets, visit www.customshouse.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0191 454 1234.