Friday Feb 27, 2004

Enhancing ties via magic musical
- Metro

Enhancing ties via magic musical

When professional illusionists Lawrence and Priscilla Khong created the much-celebrated Magid of love magic musical three years ago, they did not want it to be merely a showcase of innovative illusions.

The father-daughter team wanted to improve their relationship through the collaboration and to convey the message of love to the audience who come to the show.

Khong said that after working with delinquent youths in community programmes carried out by TOUCH Community Services, a non-profit welfare organization that he founded, he discovered that many social ills originated from broken families.

He decided to put up the show that mainly highlighted the love between him and his daughter so that people could relate to it.

"We wanted to ensure everything people see is world class. So we met people (in the illusion industry) from the United States and all over the world to conceptualise the show.

"They were excited as they said they had not seen many magic shows that talk about father and daughter." He said at a media preview of the musical recently.

The illusionist from Singapore said he hoped that the show would help the audience to foster better ties with their parents and children.

"I feel that throughout these three years of collaboration with Priscilla, I have come to know her better as we communicate with each other during the production," he said.

Priscilla, 22, could not agree more: "I really enjoy working with my father. Prior to this, I was not so close to my father and this magic show has made us come together and work out our differences."

Having performed for over 90,000 people in Macau, Singapore, China, Las Vegas and East Malaysia, the musical will return to Malaysia in March and April.

The Magic of Love - Secret of the Escape will be staged at the Genting International showroom in Genting Highlands from March 12 to March 21, at the Mallaca International Trade Centre in Malacca from March 26 to March 28 and at the Penang International Sports Arena in Penang from April 23 to April 25.

The show in Malaysia is promoted by Aldrea Dream Media Sdn Bhd in aid of the National Kidney Foundation.

The musical tells a heart-warming story of how a father (played by Khong) breaks his sacred magic code to help repay the debts of his good friend, Charlie, and saved his beloved daughter (Priscilla) in the process.

Put together by a brand new production team comprising renowned music composer Iskandar Ismail, lyricist Babes Conde, costume designer Betty Reiley, choreographer Aaron Khek and illusion builders John Gaughan, Paul Haynes and Bill Smith, the new season features new magic tricks, music, choreography, drama and sets.

One of the highlights of the production is the Ultimate Water Torture where Khong s chained to a water tank with 200 gallons of water spinning at at rate of 17 rounds per minute as he tries to make a magical escape.

The audience will also get to see Priscilla perform nine spectacular magic effects in less than four-and-a-half minutes.

Khong said the magic tricks were designed to enhance the story.

He said the shows in Genting Highlands, Penang and Malacca were bigger than the previous performances in Tawau, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching as they would need two container loads of props for the show this time.

Tickets to the shows are priced between RM20 and RM50.

For more information on the Genting Highlands shows, call Genting reservation counter at 03-2718 1118 or visit www.genting.com.my or Genting ticketing outlets.

For more information on the Malacca and Penang shows, call TicketCharge at 03-7726 2002 or visit www.ticketcharge.com.my or any Ticket-Charge ticketing outlets.