Showzam pulls 20,000 out of a hat

Published: 11 March 2012
Reporter: David Upton

Showzam! Blackpool's annual celebration of circus, magic and new variety, saw more than 20,000 visitors descending on the festival hub, Showzam! Central. Now in its fifth year, the ten-day event—held last month—celebrates the best in circus, magic and new variety, providing entertainment for residents and visitors in resort during the half-term period.

Natalie Wyatt, managing director of Marketing Blackpool commented: "Showzam has once again been a huge success and has created a real buzz in the resort this year making February in Blackpool the place to be."

"We programmed lots more free activity this year making the festival more accessible for everybody and from the feedback we have received, have already started to plan for 2013."

There were also healthy box office figures for many of the specially programmed ticketed shows including Variety by the Sea at The Sands Venue, The Fringe Shows at North Pier and Circus Bollywood and The Carnival Ball at The Blackpool Tower, where more than 1,000 people enjoyed a burlesque-style evening.

Showzam benefitted from funding via Arts Council England for the first time enabling three extra shows to be staged at the Grand Theatre.

Showzam! returns for its sixth year in 2013 from February 15-24.

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