The king of magic
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2004-04-09 09:24

Master magician David Copperfield returns to Shanghai with a new show, full of adventure, excitement, and flights of fancy. But, as Guo Feifei discovers, he is also using magic for his own philanthropic works.

There's no need for gushing, flowery language to introduce him; indeed, there is hardly any need for introductions at all. When you're as much of a legend as American magician David Copperfield, the legend speaks for itself. Copperfield returns to Shanghai for nine performances on his third China tour, and once again, he is expected to bedazzle.

He has spent a year preparing for this tour, which will also include stops in Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Changsha in addition to Shanghai. ``It's going to be completely different from his other China tours,'' say Deng Yun, who is with the shows' organizer Poly Culture & Art Co Ltd. But what makes this particular tour so special is that it is very likely Copperfield's last magic tour of China -- the magician has said that this is his last year of touring the world.

Making the Statue of Liberty disappear in 1983 shocked people around the world, but Copperfield entered the imaginations of most Chinese when, in 1986, he made an amazing walk through the Great Wall in Beijing. After years of negotiation, he was finally able to bring his show, ``Portal'' to Guangzhou in 2001, with the 50,000 tickets selling out in a few days.

In 2002 he returned with new programmes, once again sweeping the country with an unprecedented magic fever. But unlike Copperfield's previous two tours to Shanghai, which centered on a romantic theme, this time the shows focus on adventure and excitement. All programs will feature large scale illusions, with names like ``Sofa,'' ``Film (Fires of Passion),'' ``Sonogram,'' ``Lottery/Car,'' and ``Death Saw.''

Each show features 11 segments, many of which entertain with an intense impact. Hi-tech props are another highlight. This time, they weigh in at a total weight of 90 tons, well exceeding the 52 tons that the magician brought along on his 2002 China tour. ``The amazing sights, modern music, precise lighting and complex plots are certain to be an unforgettable adventure for the mind and the senses,'' Deng points out.

In 1992, David's ``Flying'' was hailed as the greatest illusion ever staged. Flying features once again, but this time, Shanghai audiences will be able realize their flying fantasies. Because of the restricted height of the venue, Copperfield himself will not be able to fly, but he will send two randomly selected audience members, seated on a sofa, into flights of fancy.

They will fly into an enormous sealed glass cabinet, mysteriously entering it. Famous for his audience interaction, Copperfield is equally famous for never letting his fans down, and always giving them a performance that is beyond their wildest dreams. As a result, his fans come from all over the world, including China.

``I've been to more than 50 of David's shows during the past 20 years,'' smiles software company owner Wang Zhiwei. ``His performance is more than just magic. Watching him live is totally different from just watching his programs on TV.'' Wang is a passionate lover of magic who has been studying Copperfield for years. He points out that Copperfield's shows closely follow the changing times and incorporate many avant-garde elements.

``He has a new creation every year, which include large outdoor magic shows and dangerous escapes. His creation is perfectly coordinated with nature, and unrivaled among other magic shows,'' Wang says. ``And he pioneered interactive magic programs.''

There is great excitement at the press conference on the show when it is announced says that Copperfield has put together a small program, just for them. Operating remotely from the United States, Copperfield has prepared slides with instructions for the volunteer. He asks the volunteer, a woman, to shuffle a box of cards and pick one, without showing the card's face to the others.

On the screen, he gives a cunning smile, and indicates that the card the lady has chosen is an ace of hearts . And bingo, he's right! ``See? This is just a small trick that shows his unique TV magic ,'' Wang says. Witty, engaging and supremely entertaining, Copperfield's celebrated feats and sense of theater have won him dozens of Emmy awards and two ``Entertainer of the Year'' honors.

His tours have set box-office records across Europe, Asia and North and South America. ``Among his many creations, one that has far-reaching significance is Project Magic, a rehabilitative program for disabled people,'' Fu Qifeng, a Chinese magician says.

``Although it was established in 1982, this sort of magic is still unknown to many Chinese .'' Project Magic uses sleight-of-hand magic as therapy. It strengthens motor skills and dexterity in patients and helps build self-esteem by giving the patients a skill that able-bodied people don't possess. Accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, it is currently implemented in more than 1000 hospitals in 30 countries.

Of all his accomplishments, Copperfield insists that Project Magic is his greatest work to date. In 2002, Copperfield expressed his desire to introduce Project Magic to China. And this April, his wish will be granted. On April 19, Project Magic China will be officially launched in Beijing.

The project will initially cover the five cities in his 2004 China tour, and later expand to other Chinese cities. In Shanghai, Copperfield will visit special schools for deaf students, teaching them small magic tricks, so that they may be able to make a living doing this.

At present, the organizer is looking for suitable hospitals and medical institutions for the implementation of Project Magic. David hopes that his 2004 China tour will not only bring magic and happiness to his audiences, but also a measure of independence to all disabled people in China.

Copperfield was so impressed by Shanghai after his 2002 tour that he is performing more shows here than in any other city. In order to devote more time to his study of breakthrough magic arts and to philanthropy, Copperfield has announced that this will be his last year of global touring -- his China finale. Time: 7:30pm, May 10-16; 2:30pm, May 15-16 Venue: Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Rd N Tickets: 100-1,800 yuan Tel: 6247-2010, 6881-8290

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