Saturday March 20, 2004

Magic's miracle
- StarWeekend

It is more than your average magic show, and has drama, comedy, love and death-defying feats. With all this, you'd be forgiven for thinking David Copperfield was in town.

But this is what you'll get in the Magic of Love - Secret of The Escape by Singaporean magicians Lawrence and Priscilla Khong, a father and daughter team.

Dubbed a "magic musical", the Magic of Love was first shown in Singapore in 2001. Tours to China, Macau, Sabah and Sarawak have since followed and been well-received.

"I think magic is symbolic, it gives us a sense of belief in the impossible," says Lawrence.

Looking fit and relaxed, the 52-year-old pastor, businessman and father of four maintains that magic "gives everyone a sense of escapism. But it's also an art form."

Magic of Love tells the story of a father and daughter (Lawrence and Priscilla playing themselves) magic duo at the peak of their careers.

After another successful tour, both are scheduled to return home to unite with the family. However, Lawrence accepts an offer to perform in London, breaking his promise to his family. Priscilla is heartbroken and tries to convince him to change his mind.

Their unscrupulous show promoter, Charlie, meanwhile, is heavily in debt and offers the secrets of Lawrence's magic to underworld figures to save himself.

The show climaxes with Lawrence being shackled and submerged in a revolving water tank. Priscilla has been kidnapped by Charlie's loan sharks.

How will it end? Well, the answer is obvious. But the Houdini factor in Lawrence's escape - the first ever attempted in a magic show - leaves audiences thinking : How on earth did he do that?

Throughout the show, sleight of hand and amazing illusions keep audiences mesmerized while dance numbers make the show interesting.

A heartwarming ending ensures families go home with a warm feeling and certainly dazzled by the whole thing.

The reality of magic.

Taking to the duo backstage, you learn that Lawrence and Priscilla are not our ordinary father and daughter.

They are extroverted, charismatic and approachable. Priscilla is far more mature than her 22 years. Lawrence too looks younger and fitter than his 52 years.

"We spent a lot of time finding the right blend of magic and story-telling. The story was important but if we didn't blend it right it would seem a bit forced," reveals Lawrence.

Lawrence has had a life-long affair with magic. He started putting on magic shows when he was in National Service and progressed to creating and staging his own shows not long after. He was awarded the Master Magician Award in 2002 by the Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger School of Magic, Las Vegas.

Priscilla is an accomplished magician in her own right. She started collaborating with her father for the Magic of Love show in late 2001. She also helps run the Lawrence School of Magic in Singapore.

Magic of Love's big draw - The Ultimate Water Torture - was designed and created for Lawrence by world renowned magician and magic consultant Andre Kole.

Weighing more that a ton, the tank spins 200 gallons of water at a rate of 17 rounds per minute, making even the likes of David Blaine think twice about stepping in.

It is not without its dangers. "The hardest part of it is that if you choke, that's it!" says Lawrence bluntly.

"People won't know it's real. They'll just say 'Oh, he's just acting until (he mimics the lifting up of a limp body) this happens and then it's too late."

Magic strengthens ties

Father and daughter work tirelessly to perfect each show with rehearsals that run late into the night. They say something better has come out of all this - they have never been closer.

"We didn't understand each other at first and our work on the show was just work," Priscilla reveals. "We also fought a lot."

Lawrence agrees," Sometimes my daughter shocks me with the way she thinks or the things she does. But I think more young people today should discuss serious issues with their parents."

The preparation and touring have made them close.

"I remember being intrigued by how my father related to people and realized I wanted to be like that too. I wanted a role model and inevitably, he was the one I chose," says Priscilla.

"That's when I realized that you must give unconditional love to your children," says Lawrence. "So we began to talk and understand each ithet; we started the process of acceptance."

They agree that the transformation has also helped their how tremendously. They preach family love everywhere they go.