One of the UK’s most spellbinding festivals has conjured up a duo of German performers to join its expanding line-up of world-class magicians.

Organisers of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival, which returns to the North East in March 2012, have added mentalist Markus Beldig and card-expert Christian Schenk to the event’s increasingly bumper line up.

The week-long festival, now in its ninth year, is organised annually by South Tyneside Council in partnership with magician and former President of the Newcastle Magic Circle Martin Duffy.

It includes two international Gala Shows and a Family Magic show, which are open to the general public, as well as a series of shows in schools and residential homes and a special Magic Convention, designed exclusively for practicing magicians and the most ardent magic fans.

‘Mind-reader’ Markus, who quit studying law to become a professional performer, is considered the master of the sixth sense and was the first mentalist to perform a full evening show at the Vienna Concert House in Austria since 1918.

The television advisor, who has taught magic at the Magic School in Munich for the past 17 years, will be bewitching audiences at the festival’s first Gala Show at the Customs House, South Shields on Friday, March 9.

Fellow German magician Christian, aka Card Shark, is widely regarded as the worldwide number one in card-based magic and has even created his own range of playing cards – The Phoenix Deck.

He will be appearing as part of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s three-day convention, which offers professional magicians and the most dedicated magic fans the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops, lectures and masterclasses featuring leading magicians from around the globe.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead member for Leisure and Community Safety for South Tyneside Council, said: “The line-up for this year’s South Tyneside International Magic Festival is truly extraordinary and offers visitors the chance to see performances by some of the best artists from around the world, including Markus and Christian.”

Tickets for the international Gala Show featuring Markus Beldig are now on sale from the Customs House box office priced at £13 each or £12 concessions. More details can be found online at www.customshouse.co.uk or by calling the venue direct on 0191 454 1234.

Tickets for the magic convention featuring Christian Schenk are also available priced at £65, which includes entry to both Galas Shows, along with a series of lectures, close-up sessions, dealer events and an exclusive Midnight Show. Places are strictly limited and can be booked by visiting www.southtyneside.info/magic, calling (0191) 4247986 or emailing events@southtyneside.gov.uk.

More information can also be found by searching for the event on Facebook.