FIVE local budding magicians will share the limelight with top performers from North America at the annual Magic Fest in two weeks' time.

And tomorrow the youngsters will be showing off their conjuring talents in a free half-hour show at the Annex at the Phoenix Store from 2.30 p.m.

Kylisho Julio, Andy Minton, Roger Moniz, Susannah Shane and Llewellyn Simons were chosen from the 35 enthusiasts who attended Bermuda Magic's summer workshops.

Magic Fest will take place at City Hall on the weekend of March 21-23. It will include performances from comic juggler and unicyclist Johnny Toronto, ventriloquist Johnny Main and Puck the Magician, as well as the local youngsters.

The choice of the five locals had not been difficult, said Magic Fest producer O'Brian Roberts.

"They chose themselves," he said. "With magic, just like with other aspects of life, it's whoever sticks to it that succeeds. These five really wanted to pursue stage magic."

He said the youngsters had attended Bermuda Magic workshops, run by Mike Bishop in August of the last two years.

At the Phoenix Store, the young magicians will not be giving away anything of their stage act for two weeks' time - they will use different routines.

The three overseas performers bring with them a rich pedigree.

Johnny Toronto has performed all over the world in places as far-flung as Russia, the North Pole, Brazil and Chile. An experienced TV performer, he has also performed to help raise money for orphanages and hospitals in Latin America.

Johnny Main has been doing his ventriloquism for more than 30 years. He has delighted audiences on cruise ships and hotels, across Canada, the US and the Far East with his act, which includes character dummies like Quacky the Duck and the wise-cracking Archie.

Puck is a magician and illusionist who started magic at the age of six. He won first place for stage magic at the World Magic Summit in Washington, DC and was also a finalist at the Brotherhood of Magicians Gold Medal Competition.

Mr. Roberts said there would be a magic store set up at the show for anyone inspired by the performers to try out magic themselves.

And during the interval, the magic will continue in the City Hall lobby, with a performance by Kylisha Julio.

"Bermuda Magic is for adults as well as children," said Mr. Roberts. "We have people from the age of eight upwards.

"There are a lot of opportunities for young people in magic. There is a Bermudian, Jennifer McCall-Daniels, at university in San Antonio, Texas, who is going to be auditioning soon to take part in the Society of American Magicians show in Las Vegas in July."

l Magic Fest will take place at the City Hall theatre on Friday, March 21 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets for Magic Fest, costing $20 in advance or $25 on the door, are available at the Phoenix Store in Hamilton or can be reserved online at www.bermudamagic.com