Peter Campbell-Wells kindly submitted his view of this years South Tyneside International Magic Convention:

This Year’s South Tyneside Magic Festival was one of those nice conventions in which I only really knew what to expect from a couple of lecturers and performers – specifically John Archer and Colin MacLeod, who I’d seen before. But even then, their actual lectures were new to me, and well worth attending.

In a nutshell though:

FRIDAY:
Gary Dunn (kids’ show and lecture) was first-rate. Manic, irreverent, silly and hysterically funny. The kids thought so too, which is always a good thing.

His lecture was on entertaining without props. In his case, this means filling a ‘second spot’ at a holiday park or suchlike. To the rest of us, this could just as easily mean filling the second hour of a two-hour kids’ party.

Great ideas, great material and great fun!

Close-up sessions
Nick Einhorn opened the close-up sessions. There’s no denying that he’s a first-rate close-up magician. I was happy to be fooled by his magic, but wasn’t quite so keen on his decision to use some quite ‘standard’ patter presentations, such as commenting on how red cards are printed with a water-based process and black cards are printed with an oil-based ink, and the two tend to separate because of it… Personal taste, I know. Just not my style.

David Stone, however, is definitely a performer that I can appreciate. The man is completely bonkers. His magic was jaw-dropping and his presentation insanely funny. I was kicking myself for the fact that I hadn’t taken the time to check out his work before then. But he’s definitely one of my new favourite magicians. (more…)

If you want to go to South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2011, Then you had better get a move on as there are now less than 30 registrations left, if you dont register NOW you wont be going!!

More details can be found online at www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. Gala Show and Family Magic Tickets can also be booked by calling the Customs House direct on 0191 454 1234. South Tyneside International Magic Festival takes place Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March 2011.

You can check out last years South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2010 Review by Norn Bichan or South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2010 Review by Darren James, as well as our guide to The South Tyneside International Magic Convention as well as all our news in the run up to the convention

Mind reading, mystery and even more magic are heading for the North East later this spring, courtesy of the newly extended line up for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2011.

Organisers of the week-long festival, which returns for its eighth year from Monday, March 10, have announced that another three acts are to be added to the already bumper line-up, with Colin McLeod, Jon Stetson and Amethyst all set to perform live.

Scottish entertainer Colin McLeod has been described by mind reader and spoon-bender Uri Geller as “one of the greatest thought readers of all time” and has already performed all over the world, including at the famed Magic Castle in Los Angles and the acclaimed convention of mentalists and magicians, MindVention, in Las Vegas.

The 23 year old forensic science graduate will be making his first visit to South Tyneside to perform as part at the Magic Festival, which is organised annually by South Tyneside Council with help from Martin Duffy, former President of the Newcastle Magic Circle and sponsors MagicBox.

Fellow mind-reader and master of the seemingly impossible Jon Stetson will be travelling from America to appear at the festival, with UK-based magic duo Amethyst – consultants for BBC shows Sherlock Homes and The Magicians – being the third new act to be added. (more…)

As a special favour to fellow PEA member Martin Duffy, Doug Dyment has agreed to present an unprecedented Intensive Workshop as an extra event prior to the 2011 South Tyneside International Magic Convention, on Thursday 10 March 2011 at 19:30.

Doug has never before lectured outside the PEA about his techniques, so this represents a worldwide “first”. The workshop will focus on three specific performance pieces. Two have previously seen light in Doug’s highly lauded private publications, though this workshop will feature aspects of their methodologies that have been withheld from publication, and never previously divulged. (more…)

South Tyneside International Magic Festival which takes place Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March 2011 have announced that fresh from last nights ‘Penn and Teller – Fool Us’ John Archer will be appearing at the convention.

John was one of only two acts able to ‘fool’ Penn and Teller, and secure his place with the magic duo in Las Vegas.

John will be compering the Friday night Gala Show at the Customs House and then appearing in the magicians only Midnight Show (along with Darren James) and lecturing on the Sunday morning. If you missed John’s performance you can watch it at ITV Player

South Tyneside International Magic Festival takes place Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March 2011. To pre-register email Karri karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk (preference will be given to previous registrants). You can also join the Facebook Group

More name have been released for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival which takes place Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March 2011.

This year there will be a number of ‘first times’ and a growing list of top talent appearing.

Jason Latimer (USA) with his First UK lecture, Paul Vigil (USA), again a first UK appearance, David Stone (France) presenting his BRAND New lecture,  and top talent, Nicholas Einhorn (UK), Norbert Ferre (France), Andrew Van Buren (UK), and Gary Dunn (UK)

South Tyneside International Magic Festival takes place Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March 2011. To pre-register email Karri karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk (preference will be given to previous registrants). You can also join the Facebook Group

You can check out last years South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2010 Review by Norn Bichan or South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2010 Review by Darren James, as well as our guide to The South Tyneside International Magic Convention (more…)