Chris Cross to perform "The Greatest Show on the Tyne" at Tyne Theatre & Opera House this month
He's Performed for the Royal Family, countless celebrities around the globe, appeared on national television and now Chris Cross the Magician, 30, is celebrating 20 years in showbusiness by staging 'The Greatest Show on the Tyne' for the fourth consecutive year! The show will be staged at Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 19th October.
'The Greatest Show on the Tyne' really is a homage to the golden days of Variety, Music-hall and Vaudeville; created, promoted & hosted by Chris Cross – who is ever so passionate about keeping these kind of Variety shows alive and kicking, especially in the North East! The Eccentric Variety Show has become somewhat of a traditional annual geordie family night oot!
As well as local celebrity appearances and surprise performers throughout the night, the show this year boasts a cast of over 100 performers. Some of the confirmed acts performing this year include top UK ventriloquist Max Fulham, local comedian Sue Sweeney and world record holding juggler Jack Flash from New Zealand. There will also feature another half a dozen performers from the cream of the crop of the Variety world - sword swallowers, singers, dancers, magicians, escapologists and even a Laurel & Hardy tribute act!
The show, at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, is the first night of a ten night autumn tour titled 'CHRIS CROSS: The Great Magician of the North'.
Cross has been in showbusiness for two decades this year and has plenty of new tricks up his sleeves, as well as some of his trademark staple tricks and daredevils escapology stunts, too!
You can expect some brand new material - including the revival of some BBC TV illusions that belonged to his late hero, Paul Daniels. After Paul's death, last year Cross uncovered a dozen of the master magician's props in a barn in Wales which haven't been performed in over 20 years; Paul used the props on television in the 70s & 80s.
In the past 12 months, Cross has performed both nationally and internationally for lots of celebrity & VIP events - he's appeared on BBC's The ONE Show and he was a surprise special guest on the US illusionist, David Blaine's, first ever UK tour.
Over the years Cross has performed his multi-award winning magic tricks for Prince Charles' state visit to Northumberland, Boy George's 50th birthday party, Mike Tyson's sportsmans dinner, Alan Shearer's private party, Alice Cooper's press conference, Ccnsulting for The Hairy Bikers Theatre Tour, Miles Kane's backstage entertainment, Ocean Colour Scene and The Arctic Monkeys - to name but a few celebrity clients! He has amused & entertained everyone in his path - from New York to New Zealand, Bahrain to Duabi, Brazil to Bangkok, London to Paris and most places in-between!
Cross says ''Newcastle deserves at least one brilliant Variety show each year. We work hard up north and us geordies like to have a lot of fun when we're not working, too!
"I'm proud to say that the tickets to my shows are not London-priced.
"I've specifically priced the tickets to make my show affordable to almost anyone that wants to come along and enjoy a proper night out at the theatre.
"We are living in a world where theatre and arena shows are only for the wealthy, sadly, with ticket prices more expensive than ever before...
"My show is affordable and I think entertainment needs to be kept accessible to all and even more importantly, entertainment needs to be kept live - and that can only work if the people buy the tickets.
"So get off your iPads and portable devices, round up your friends and family for some quality time together and come and enjoy a proper comedy, magic and variety show in the decadent surroundings of your local theatre!''
'The Great Magician of the North' Tour runs from the 19th October - 19th November and will see Cross take to the stages of ten theatres in the North of England, though at the other 9 dates he will be performing with just one other special guest act, including comedians Bobby Pattinson, Jimmy Cricket & Sue Sweeney. The other dates are unlike the Tyne Theatre 'Greatest Show on the Tyne' Extravaganza, which boasts a line-up of over 100 Cast Members! For more details and to buy tickets priced from only £12, please call the theatre box office, book online or visit: http://www.chris-cross.co.uk/eventsandtickets.html
You can watch Chris Cross in action here.
"Chris has performed several times at Alnwick Castle and has always impressed our friends and family. He is very professional with a wonderful skill for entertaining his audience and his natural ability to keep people fascinated throughout his performance is quite unique."
- Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland
