Magic fans are running out of time to pull a rabbit out of the hat and secure tickets to one of the North East’s most spellbinding events.
The South Tyneside International Magic Festival, which annually attracts performers and visitors from around the world, returns for its 13th landmark year from Wednesday March 9.
Tickets for the event, which includes three public performances at the Customs House, South Shields, have been in high demand since going on sale late last year and organisers, South Tyneside Council, are warning they could soon disappear altogether.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The South Tyneside International Magic Festival is one of the most popular and unique events on the North East calendar.
“Our three public shows have been a sell out for the past several years and 2016 looks set to be no exception. I would advise anyone hoping to attend to get their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out on all the fun.”
The South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016 begins with a Family Magic Extravaganza, sponsored and programmed by specialist retailer MagicBox, on Wednesday March 9, featuring performances by leading North East magicians and a special Dutch guest star.
This will be followed by two International Gala Shows on Friday March 11 and Saturday March 12, starring performers from as far afield as Belgium, Sweden and the USA.
The festival, which is open to all ages, closes with a three day convention designed exclusively for professional magicians and magic enthusiasts, including a variety of lectures, workshops and performances designed to help hone their skills.
Magician John Archer, who is appearing at both Gala Shows, has assisted South Tyneside Council in organising this year’s event.
“The line-up for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016 is one of the most eclectic in the event’s 13 year history” he said.
“We’ve got everything from juggling to balloon modelling, as well as the usual mix of tricks, comedy and illusions to amaze and astonish audiences of all ages and I’m sure this is one of the reasons tickets are proving so popular.”
Tickets for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s public shows are available from the Customs House Box Office on www.customshouse.co.uk or 0191 4541234 and are priced at £7 for the Family Magic Extravaganza and from £13 for the gala performances.
Tickets for the festival’s three-day convention, running from Friday March 11, are priced at £65 each and available by contacting South Tyneside Council Events Officer Karri Prinn on 0191 4554031 orkarri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk
More information about the event, supported by the Customs House and BBC Newcastle, can be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival