Press releases

16 Mar 2006

Magician Tom To Make It Second Time Lucky!

A top young magician is eagerly awaiting the South Tyneside International Magic Festival after missing out last year.

Tom Rose, from Ellerton, in North Yorkshire, booked a place at the 2005 Magic Convention, where he hoped to learn tricks of the trade from the wide variety of magicians performing lectures and close-up sessions.

The 22-year-old was staying in Newcastle whilst studying at city's university, and thought he had his tickets with him. But he was left kicking himself when he realised he'd left his tickets at home in North Yorkshire.

There's nothing stopping Tom this year though, as he looks forward to this weekend's Magic Convention being held at the Little Haven Hotel.

"I think the Festival is great for the North East," he said. "The magic scene in the region is really growing, and hopefully this event will form the basis of a really great future for magic in South Tyneside. The Magic Convention is great value and some really big names in magic will be there.

"I for one have really benefited from meeting other magicians at the Newcastle Magic Circle, so the Magic Convention will undoubtedly nurture some more home-grown talent in the North. Hopefully the Convention will keep happening year after year and may result in some more local magicians becoming headline acts."

The Magic Convention is aimed at budding and established magicians, and features a range of lectures and close-up sessions from top magic names including the USA's Docc Hillford and Whit Haydn, legendary Man of Mystery David Berglas and international award winner, Gaston Quieto.

Tom is one of a new wave of magicians to make magic cool, having already made it big in magic circles. He has even set up his own business, tr:magic, performing table magic at weddings, private parties and corporate events for a wide range of clients including Virgin, Disney and Orange.

Councillor Jim Foreman, South Tyneside Council's Lead Member for Lifelong and Leisure, said: "It is great that we have young magicians coming to the Magic Festival to enhance their skills and knowledge in our Borough. This Festival is a huge asset to South Tyneside, not only in entertaining local people but also in attracting visitors to the region.

"Tom is a fine example to young people everywhere, and hopefully he and the other magical visitors will inspire young people in South Tyneside to take up magic themselves. It is fantastic to see people coming to this area to gain new skills and knowledge and I am sure that this year's festival will be a massive success."

The International Magic Convention is part of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival which is a week long series of magic performances in schools, hospitals and residential homes along with two evening gala shows at the Customs House.

For further information about the 2006 International Magic Festival, contact the Council's Events Officer, Karri Prinn, on (0191) 424 7986 or email: events@southtyneside.gov.uk

Details are also available on the Council's website: www.southtyneside.info

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