Germanys ‘Gentleman Juggler’ - Jeton has now joined the star cast for next weeks South Tyneside International Magic Convention which takes place Friday 12th - 14th March 2010.

Desired by the ladies, admired by the gentlemen, they have always occupied a special place among variety artists. Jeton, who is today probably the only specimen of this elegant breed, takes the trappings of high society and incorporates them into his unconventional performances.

Walking cane, coin, cigar and billiard cues - even a large mirror glides through the air and is caught and balanced in a most extraordinary fashion. The remarkable dexterity with which he juggles balls and top hats proves just how rich and varied a juggler’s repertoire can be.

The sensational climax of his act is the ultimate balancing feat - Jeton is the only juggler in the world who balances billiard cues and a billiard ball on his chin. As the discerning eye will recognise: a minor masterpiece.

Jeton will join Lennart Green (Lecture, Friday Gala Show and Master Class), Joshua Quinn (Lecture, Saturday Gala Show and Master Class), Brad Manuel (Lecture and Saturday Gala Show), Wayne Dobson (Lecture and Friday Gala Show), Simon Drake (Live Video Interview, Lecture via Skype), Tim Sonefelt (Lecture and Master Class), and Richard McDougall (Lecture and Friday Gala Show)

As well as our own news and reporting on the run up, You can get more information, including a full list of events and how to book, please visit www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. You can also check out our Guide and Room Booking section, and if you want to see what you missed last year check our live coverage from the 2009 convention

Tickets are selling fast for the seventh annual South Tyneside International Magic Convention, with magicians and enthusiasts travelling from around the globe to attend.

This year’s event, which takes place in South Shields from March 12 to 14, looks set to be one of the best attended yet with delegates coming from around the UK as well as other parts of Europe, including the convention’s first Icelandic attendee.

Performers leading masterclasses include Swedish magician Lennart Green, humourist Tim Sonefelt and American mentalist Joshua Quinn, who will be appearing in the UK for the very first time. There will also be a very special appearance by Simon Drake, star of The Secret Cabaret and creator of the London-based House of Magic, who will be answering questions from the audience via video link.

Ticket holders for the convention also receive reserved seating at two Gala Shows which are being held as part of the wider South Tyneside International Magic Festival on Friday March 12 and Saturday March 13, as well as admission and transportation to a special Midnight Show on Friday, March 12. (more…)

Annies Guest House is offering Magic Convention Guide Readers a special discount for the three night convention weekend for this years South Tyneside International Magic Convention!!

10% off for three-night convention weekend bookings 12th - 14th March, 2010. Please quote “Magic Convention Guide offer” when booking by telephone, for online bookings via http://www.anniesguesthouse.co.uk/book-online.shtml enter “Magic Convention Guide offer” into the ’special requests’ box to receive the discount.

Annie’s Guest House is a family-run bed & breakfast in South Tyneside, Tyne & Wear, and perfect for the convention.  All our rooms are non-smoking, have double-glazed, opening windows with black-out roller blinds, individual temperature controls, work desk, chair & lamp, free wireless internet, alarm clock, large flat-screen digital TV’s with Freeview, tea/coffee/biscuit tray, hairdryer, shave point, big soft ‘bath sheet’ size towels, use of fridge, microwave, iron and board, 24/7 access - no curfew or lockouts.

For more details on the hotel you can visit - www.anniesguesthouse.co.uk

As well as our own news and reporting on the run up, You can get more information, including a full list of events and how to book, please visit www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. If you want to see what you missed last year check our live coverage from the 2009 convention

South Tyneside International Magic Festival launches its seventh year with the famous magic bunny and President of the Newcastle Magic Circle, Graeme Shaw, of sponsors MagicBox. Pic by Tony Cutter.

March is set to be a magical month in North East England as the South Tyneside International Magic Festival launches for a seventh bumper year.

The climax of the week-long festival, which runs in South Shields from Monday, March 8, will be the return of the popular three-day magic convention, which is attended annually by magicians from around the world.

This year’s convention, which is open exclusively to practicing magicians and the most dedicated magic fans, will feature a mixture of master classes, lectures and close-up demonstrations, running from Friday March 12 until Sunday March 14.

Performers set to lead masterclasses during the event include Swedish magician Lennart Green, who is renowned for his unique and comedic card tricks, humourist Tim Sonefelt and American mentalist Joshua Quinn, who will be appearing in the UK for the very first time.

There will also be a very special appearance by Simon Drake, star of The Secret Cabaret and creator of the London-based House of Magic, who will be appearing exclusively via video link to talk about his experiences and answer questions from the audience.

Ticket holders for the convention at the South Tyneside International Magic Festival can also attend both of the festival’s main Gala Shows, which will be held at the Customs House on Friday March 12 and Saturday March 13, as well as being given admission and transportation to a special Midnight Show, which will be held at the Sea Hotel on Friday, March 12.

The line-up for these shows includes all three of the convention’s masterclass leaders, as well as illusionist and world-record breaking escapologist Shahid Malik, and comedian Brad Manuel, who is making his first ever visit to the UK in order to compere Friday’s Gala Show.

Award-winning British magician Richard McDougall will also be taking to the Customs House stage on March 13 for a short talk on the international magic industry, while Michael J Fitch, star of Channel 4’s Freaky Magic and the BBC show Sorcerer’s Apprentice, will present an audience with legendary magician Wayne Dobson.

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival is organised by South Tyneside Council with help from former President of the Newcastle Magic Circle, Martin Duffy, Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member Culture and Wellbeing said:

“It is a real coup for the Borough to once again host entertainment from these top international performers and magic enthusiasts from all over the world. I’m certain that this will be a brilliant event with many delegates returning year after year to enjoy the great location, friendly atmosphere and professionalism of the convention here in South Tyneside.”

Tickets for the convention, which is supported by The Customs House theatre and sponsored by Newcastle-based retailer MagicBox, are priced at £65 per person, with an additional charge for anyone wishing to attend a master class session.

As well as our own news and reporting on the run up, You can get more information, including a full list of events and how to book, please visit www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. You can also check out our Guide and Room Booking section, and if you want to see what you missed last year check our live coverage from the 2009 convention

The South Tyneside Magic Convention takes place Friday 12th March, Saturday 13th March, Sunday 14th March 2010 at the Customs House, South Shields, this is always a great event, and the line up for this year is growing, already joining Lennart Green and Tim Sonefelt will be Joshua Quinn, Brad Manuel, Wayne Dobson, Richard McDougall and Simon Drake

Simon Drake’s TV series – The Secret Cabaret - broke new ground because it was the first to present dark entertainment, a forerunner to the offbeat TV magic of Criss Angel and David Blaine. It has earned him an international cult following and was praised by TV critics and nominated for a Royal Television Society award, unusual for a magic production.

The shows proved to be way ahead of their time and many prominent magicians including the vastly knowledgeable Patrick Page cite it as the best TV magic ever made. The 12 half-hour programs consisted of a mix of the bizarre and surreal along with traditional magic illusions, often performed with gruesome twists. Originally conceived by Simon Drake, this unique TV series featured some of the most visually stunning and shocking illusions ever to be seen in the history of television.

Simon has never performed at a magic convention and never will – he has even turned down FISM! Want to know why? Why did he stop after 2 series? Simon has agreed to a first; a live video interview in which he will not only talk about the TV series that launched his career but also what he is doing now and take questions from the audience.

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South Tyneside International Magic Convention takes place Friday 12th March, Saturday 13th March, Sunday 14th March 2010 at the Customs House, South Shields

Lennart Green will be making his only appearance in the UK in 2010, along with Tim Sonefelt one of America’s top Children’s Entertainers, and finally, Wayne Dobson will be giving an ‘Audience with’ which will prove to be one of the convention highlights.

As well as our own new and reporting on the run up, full details on the entire festival can be found on the official site here You can also check out our Guide and Room Booking section.