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SINGAPORE : 2009 has been a bumper year for Singapore magic duo JC Sum and ‘Magic Babe’ Ning.
Apart from performing in their permanent illusion show “Ultimate Magic” (its one-year run ended in August), the duo found time for mega illusions such as “Destination X”, which saw them teleport a car from a showroom in 8.5 seconds, and “The Impossible Record” when they set the world record for performing the most number of illusions - 15 - in five minutes.
And in doing so, they won themselves a Merlin Award each - magic’s equivalent of the Oscars - for Most Original Illusionist and Female Illusionist of the Year 2009.
The coveted Merlin Award is presented to magicians who excel in their field based on a proven track record over a period of time. Past Merlin winners include David Copperfield, Criss Angel, David Blaine, as well as Siegfried & Roy.
“We’ve already tried to put Singapore on the world map for quite some time and this year has actually been an exceptional year for us to do that and we really hope it paves the way for more local talent and even regional talent to be put on the global stage,” said Sum, 33.
The duo attribute their success to their originality, the desire to do original acts that have never before seen, not just in Singapore but in the world.
Sum who has often been described as “the thinking man’s magician”, is the brains behind many of these illusions and is backed by a supportive team, many of whom are magicians themselves.
“I design a lot of the original illusions, from the technical design to the methods, and our other team mates, as well as Ning, will come in to brainstorm to make sure it’s workable,” said Sum.
He added that a sawing trick, in which he slices Ning in half, then rotates her upper torso 360 degrees around her lower torso, took them eight months to put together, and not to mention, left Ning scarred for life. During a rehearsal, three of her fingers were cut by blades used in the stunt and Ning had to be rushed to the accident and emergency ward.
While they hope to inspire new talent and help them develop their magic careers, Ning and Sum have no intention of setting up a ‘magic school’ just yet.
“I think our strengths right now are as performers, as innovators. And as principal performers, we are grooming our team but we have no intention of opening a school. A school’s a bit too commercialised for our taste,” said Sum.
Agreeing, Ning added, “While people do ask us [if there are plans to set up a school], we are very flattered that they want to learn from us but right now, we just want to focus on what we do best, which is performing and trying to put our country on the world magic map and not be too greedy and try to diversify and do so many things.”
But you’d have to wait till next year to see Sum and Ning work their magic.
The pair will return with a new show, “Sexy Magic / Urban Illusions”, at St James Power Station in January and as for mega illusions, Sum said there are three planned for next year, with the first likely to take place “in the mid or third week of January”.
“I think we’ve done a lot of high profile events this year so we need the rest.”
- CNA/il
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