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SHOWBIZ> Television
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That disappearing act
By Zhang Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-17 10:30
Given the dismal economy and flattened wallets, not many would consider spending money on a hobby. But magician Liu Qian's mind-blowing performance at the 2009 CCTV Spring Festival gala has set off many on a quest to learn a trick or two. Wang Zhiwei, director of Beijing Magicians Club, says Liu has brought a large number of Chinese up and close with the kind of magic that makes use of everyday objects such as cards and coins. During the gala, Liu managed to drop a coin into a glass placed upside down and transformed a finger ring into an intact egg, under the close and watchful eyes of the studio audience, leaving tens of thousands of viewers mesmerized by his showmanship. The Beijing Qitian Magic Training Center is feeling the heat of this latest fad. It has recorded the highest enrollment in its history with more than 40 students attending classes every day, says Yuan Xijun, the center's manager. He says the one-month program costs anything between 300 ($44) and 850 yuan ($125) based on the different skill levels, and once the students learn the basics, it is their personalities that create the one-of-a-kind magic trick. "We don't subject students to a rigorous, knuckle-busting practice regimen," says Yuan. Last week, Wang Hongjun did a walk-in registration armed with a 300-yuan budget. The 33-year-old engineer hopes he can cram at least five tricks to show off at an upcoming company gathering. |
