THREE young Oxfordshire friends are hoping a blockbuster performance of illusions and tricks will kick start an interest in magic shows.

Magicians Richard Young, 25, of Blackbird Leys, in Oxford, and Sam Strange, 25, and James Bryan, 26, from Witney, are staging two performances next month.

The trio hope the spectacular show, demonstrating their skills, will encourage more interest in magic in the county.

Mr Young performs traditional magic and large illusions and last year became one of the youngest people ever to be inducted into the Magic Circle.

Mr Strange is billed as a comedian and magic entertainer while Mr Bryan performs mind control in the style of television star Derren Brown.

Mr Young said: “It’s a really good mixture and is very light-hearted and a good interaction between us.

“We’ve put together a programme that has taken months to get right.

“What we realised is it’s very difficult to se a magician on stage these days, rather than someone making a fool of themselves with mistakes on television on Britain’s Got Talent.

“We wanted to make something accessible to people in Oxfordshire.

“Getting three of us in our 20s on stage together is pretty rare and a pretty ambitious plan.”

The trio have been practising for the show for the past six months. All three are professional magicians, who perform at parties, events and weddings in the county.

Mr Young added: “The theatre is perfect for a performance like this, because everyone is close to the stage and the action. Even if you sit on the back row, you can still see the playing cards on the stage.

“We hope this will be the start and if people turn up and we get good feedback we could do it again.”

Their two shows are at Thame Players’ Theatre on Sunday, February 7 at 4.30pm and 7.45pm.

There are 120 tickets available for each show. Tickets cost £9. Call Tickets Anywhere in Thame on 01844 217228 to book.