Hey presto! American magician John Carney is on his way to South Tyneside for international festival

Comedian, actor and self-proclaimed sleight of hand virtuoso, John Carney, will be jetting across the Atlantic to appear at the South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016.

The spellbinding event, organised by South Tyneside Council, will include public performances on March 9, 11 and 12, as well as a three-day convention for professional magicians.

John, who has appeared on television shows including Spin City and Two and a Half Men, will be taking to the stage in the festival’s second International Gala Show at the Customs House, South Shields on Saturday, March 12.

There, he will showcase some of the tricks that have helped earn him the most accolades awarded to any performer by the acclaimed Magic Circle in Hollywood, as well as the Performing Masters Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts.

North East magician John Archer, who is assisting South Tyneside Council in organising this year’s festival, said: “John Carney has performed in theatres around the world, as well as casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

“He is a true entertainer and we’re absolutely delighted that he will be joining us in South Shields.”

John Carney, who previously designed and performed visual effects for Mastercard’s US adverts, will be joined at the festival by performers from around the globe, including fellow American Chad Long.

Along with talented magicians from across the UK, they will entertain the public, as well as presenting lectures at the festival’s convention, open exclusively to professional magicians and the most ardent magic fans.

A Family Magic Extravaganza, programmed by festival sponsor, MagicBox, will also run at the Customs House as part of the festival on Wednesday, March 9.

Coun Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for culture and leisure, said: “Excitement is already building for the South Tyneside Magic Festival 2016 and we expect demand will continue to rise as we announce more details over the coming weeks.”

A full line up for the festival can be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestivalTickets for the Family Magic Extravaganza, priced from £7, and the International Gala Shows, pried from £13, are on sale from the Customs House box office at www.customshouse.co.uk or on 0191 454 1234.

Tickets for the festival’s three-day convention, running from Friday, March 11, are priced at £65 and available by contacting South Tyneside Council Events Officer Karri Prinn on 0191 455 4031 or [email protected]

The South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2016 is sponsored by MagicBox and supported by the Customs House and BBC Newcastle.