A US magician who works with America’s top crime agencies is heading to the North East to share his skills with festival goers.
Gregory Wilson is set to join a galaxy of stars – from magicians and mentalists to manipulators and illusionists – at the South Tyneside International Magic Festival at The Customs House, South Shields, next month (October).
And the two-time International Federation of Magic societies award winner, who has frequently appeared on tv alongside big names such as Penn & Teller, will be displaying some of the sleight of hand that attracted the attention of US law enforcers.
Gregory’s knowledge of – and skill at – deception has led him to work with both the CIA and the FBI, who have consulted him for advice on matters ranging from pick-pocketing to mental manipulation.
Gregory describes himself as a magician, ‘but more shady’ and in his performances he takes on the role of an honest con man, secretly stealing items from the audience – but always giving them back at the end of the show.
Throughout his 10 years of practising magic, he has stolen the watches of policemen from 25 different countries and claims to have never once been caught in the act.
Awarded Most Creative Magician of the Year award by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, his famous fans include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ice-T, Ashton Kutcher and Jamie Foxx and he has even performed magic for Pope John Paul II.
Now he is bringing his show – already performed in 41 countries – to the festival, so audiences will be able to experience his techniques at first hand.
Gregory will be performing in the Friday gala show and will also be hosting the Saturday night show.
Returning for its 18th year – having been on hold since 2020 due to the pandemic – the festival is bringing magicians from as far away as the USA, Portugal and Spain as well as from across the UK.
Cllr Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture, Leisure and the Visitor Economy, is delighted to have someone of Gregory’s reputation as part of the line-up.
“We’ve pulled out all the stops to bring together a whole host of internationally renowned performers and Gregory certainly falls into that category,” she said.
“It’s very exciting that we have the opportunity to see him in action.”
The festival runs from 13 -16 October and will include a Family Magic Extravaganza on the 13 October with two Gala Shows on the 14 and 15 October, all taking place at The Customs House, South Shields.
The full line-up of magicians can be seen at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival with tickets for all the shows available from The Customs House at www.customshouse.co.uk