This post is to introduce magicians and magic fanatics to the rich history of magic in Singapore. It honours the notable achievements, prominence and significance of nearby magicians from the previous and existing.

The commencing of Modern Magic in Singapore

It is the standard consensus that modern magic in Singapore (put up World War two) commenced with the late-Ng Bo

Oen AKA The Wonderful Wong. Information on local magic pre-war is extremely scarce. The only info located has been on The Wonderful Wong carrying out at the New Entire world Amusement Park (then located at Kitchener Street) in the thirties.

The Wonderful Wong was born in 1908 in Shanton, a city of the Guangdong Province, China and immigrated to Singapore in 1933. He was the only expert magician of his time in Singapore and performed across South East Asia. He was known for his sharp stage magic, Linking Rings regimen and Sword Basket illusion. He was also an skilled craftsman who created all of his props by hand. He experienced the present of figuring out the mechanics and methodology of magic props and fabricating them from scratch.

In 1962, The Excellent Wong manufactured a significant contribution to the worldwide magic neighborhood by publishing his famous linking rings regimen with English script written by Tudor Brock. Davenports Magic in London distributes his manuscript to day. In 1982, he was invited by the Federation Internationale des Societes Magiques (FISM) to execute at the fifteenth World Congree of Magic in Lausanne, Switzerland.

(For far more data on The Wonderful Wong refer to ‘The Great Wong Story’ in The Intercontinental Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115 The Quantum Ring Golden Jubilee Concern)

One more neighborhood magician who was instrumental in increasing modern day magic in Singapore throughout the starting was the late-Tan Hock Chuan. He was a instructor by career but carried out for once-a-year special occasions, charity shows and non-public get-togethers. He was (and nevertheless is) internationally recognized for his magical innovations. His consequences and ideas are still marketed seller things right now and have been revealed in a great number of publications (of that time) this sort of as Gen, Spinx, Pentagram, New Pentagram, Swami Mantra, Abracadabra and even Tarbell’s Course in Magic. He is the 1st Asian magician to receive the Spinx Award (1936-37)

The two The Fantastic Wong and Tan Hock Chuan were crucial influences to a lot of of the first generation of Singapore present day-magicians who have paved the way for foreseeable future generations.

1950s

It was only soon after the war and in the course of the British Military Administration that magic in Singapore began its rise to exactly where it is nowadays. 1950 was the 12 months that the Singapore Magician’s Club was fashioned by a group of novice magicians, comprising of English-educated professionals.

In 1951 the Singapore Magician’s Club received their charter from The Intercontinental Brotherhood of Magicians HQ in The united states and was from then on was officially acknowledged as The International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115. Founding associates of the club at that time incorporated Tan Ewe Chee (President), Yeo Quickly Kian, Lim Kim Tian, Lim Hap Hin, J.H Stafford, L.A Joseph, J.W Jackson (Vice-President) and Tan Hock Chuan (Secretary).

The 50’s gave delivery to Singapore’s initial generation of modern day magicians. Apart from the founding users of the IBM Ring and The Fantastic Wong (who joined the Ring in 1952 by invitation), some distinguished very first era magicians provided Lim Hap Hin, Tan Choon Tee, Tan Bah Chee, Yeo Before long Kian and his scholar Michael Lim.

The Excellent Wong operated the first magic store from his property cum showroom/ workshop in Singapore at 255-A Jalan Besar where he bought his possess handcrafted props as well as imported seller items from Japan. (This home/ shop was wrecked in a hearth in Dec 1988 leading to him to drop most of his publications and props)

nineteen sixties

Throughout this interval, magicians like The Great Wong, Tan Bah Chee, Lim Hap Hin and Tan Choon Tee carried out magic programs at the National Theatre Club and the YMCA. They ended up dependable for making lively magicians this sort of as Charles Choo, Wong Fok Choy, Chia Hearn Jiang, Gwee Thiam Hock and the late-Vijeyacone.

The early 60s also observed the ‘Golden Age’ of magic with magicians performing at distinct venues across the region. Apart from regional magicians executing in night time clubs, overseas magicians this kind of as Socar performed a grand illusion display to a total residence at the Capitol Theatre (alongside Stamford Road) and The Fantastic Nicholas at the Sky Theater in The Fantastic World Amusement Park at Kim Seng Road (Now, Wonderful Entire world Metropolis).

In the late 60s, Wee Peng Guan (Uncle of Charles Choo), opened the next magic shop in Singapore at a shop residence alongside Robinson Road. Around that time, common entertainer Victor Khoo’s father Khoo Teng Heng who was a magician, a ventriloquist and hypnotist opened his magic store at Bras Basah. (exactly where Carlton Resort stands currently).

Throughout this decade, Tan Choon Tee was producing a identify for himself in the international magic group in the field of Mentalism. He won numerous intercontinental Linking Ring Awards for his One-Gentleman Parades and has two textbooks printed by Micky Hades. He was also a regular contributor to many worldwide magic publications this kind of as Gen, New Pentagram, Magicgram, Magicana and The Linking Ring.

Abroad magicians whom handed via Singapore integrated Milo & Roger, Milbourne Christopher and Maurice Fogel.

nineteen seventies

The 1970s observed the beginning of the 2nd era of Singapore magicians. Some nicely-recognized magicians who acquired started throughout this time included The Great Wong’s son Ng Kee Chee, John Teo, Tang Sai Thong, Ng Seow Kiat, Tang Yeng Exciting, Bob Chua, Eric Leong, Tan Teck Seng, Lawrence Tham, Tan Tuan Seng, Lawrence Khong and Andrew Kong.

The Singapore Affiliation of Magicians was established on ten March 1973 in helpful ‘rivalry’ to the IBM Ring. The club was led by Tan Bah Chee with notable founding members this kind of as Lim Hap Hin, Tan Hock Chuan and Charles Choo.

Magic shops in Singapore started to spring up during the late seventies. Ng Kee Chee established up a magic stall at Yaohan in Plaza Singapura and Wang Leng opened his shop in Peninsula Plaza. Charles Choo opened his store in August 1978 on the 6th floor of Significantly East Buying Centre. (It would shift several moments to a variety of malls but at some point returned back to Significantly East). His store would shortly grow to be an institution the place magicians would get numerous magic merchandise as effectively as meet up with up and understand from each and every other.

It was a assortment haunt for several magicians in the years to appear until the shop shut in the new millennium.

For the duration of this time period, The Tropicana Evening Club, which was located at Pacific Plaza, was a venue that experienced normal magic performances. Numerous renowned magicians also frequented Singapore in the 70s. In 1970, John Calvert carried out at the National Theatre. In 1972, Albert Goshman frequented Ring 115 to give a lecture. In that very same yr, “The Professor” Dai Vernon also frequented Singapore, lectured and interacted with regional magicians. Other visiting magicians integrated Andre Kole, Billy McComb, and Ali Bongo.

nineteen eighties

By the eighties, the neighborhood magic scene was flourishing with healthier memberships for the two major magic golf equipment as effectively as a surge in the quantity of executing magicians. Many of present day veterans created their name in the 80s. Common names like Richard Ang, Patrick Wan, Patrick Ng Wang Lin, Tan Hai Yan AKA Gician, Paul Koh, AB Francis and Gordon Koh ended up performing often at public and private shows in the course of this decade. Well-known nearby venues for community magic exhibits by magic golf equipment held on a normal foundation at that time integrated the Drama Centre and the National Museum Theatrette.

The recognition of magic stores also grew and in 1982, Chew Kin Tune opened a Magic & Novelty Corner at the Chinese Guide Area of Popular Guide Co Pte Ltd on the 4th Flooring of Bras Basah Complicated. Gician Tan also opened up his initial magic shop at Parkway Parade which subsequently moved to Marina Square and was managed by Richard Ang. Aside from this main store, he dispersed magic products and sets via division merchants

in Singapore and South East Asia.The Singapore audience was also exposed to globe-class magic through numerous magic television demonstrates and series that have been aired on local Tv set such as the David Copperfield specials, Magic Magic and The Ideal of Magic.

Foreign magicians who frequented Singapore during this time included David Copperfield, Mark Wilson, Ben Harris, Paul Daniels and Gene Anderson.

nineties

The beginning of this 10 years saw the introduction of the country’s third generation magicians into the nearby magic scene. Notable budding magicians included Enrico Varella, Sherman Tjiong, J C Sum, Joe Yu (Chan Ee Kang), Nique Tan Li Keong, Prakash Puru, Kiki Tay, Alex Tan and Jeremy Pei.

The neighborhood chapter of Global Magicians Culture was formed, founded by its President, Tan Bah Chee even though the club’s presence in Singapore was limited-lived.

The late-1990s observed a large surge in magic international recognition due to David Blaine’s road magic specials. Many men and women started to ‘get into’ magic and experienced new mediums to understand the craft this kind of as the introduction of DVDs and the Net.

A new magic store, Magic Castle & Promotions, opened up by Vijay Kumar at Shaw Towers soon became ‘the area to be’ in which new magicians would cling out and meet.

For the duration of this 10 years, Wang Leng’s store in Peninsula Plaza was sold to Patrick Wan. The shop was subsequently sold to Richard Ang and is now well acknowledged as Ang Residence of Magic. Patrick Wan opened his new store, Magic Wand, which has spawned into a number of retailers in a variety of components of Singapore. Steven Sim also opened Magic Supreme at Coronation Plaza which has subsequently moved to Park Shopping mall.

The 90s was an thrilling 10 years with numerous visits and performances by well-known magicians. Apart from lectures by Michael & Hannah Ammar, Mark Leveridge and Wolfgang & Sonja Riebe there ended up also general public theatre performances by the Pendragons, Princess Tenko, Andre Kole, Franz Harary, David Copperfield, Rudy Coby and Robert Gallop. Other browsing magicians included Larry Becker, Tim Ellis, Terry Seabrooke, Phil Cass and Albert Tham.

2000 – Present

Magic has continued to prosper at the neighborhood stage in this decade. New opportunities and skills have emerged to elevate the art in Singapore. In Might 2000, J C Sum staged the first at any time neighborhood full-evening theatre demonstrate ‘Magic at the Theatre’ at Victoria Theatre. Just a thirty day period later, far more than a dozen magicians from the US and Canada came down to Singapore as component of the Magic Competition organized by the Malls of Centrepoint. Magicians this kind of as Robert Baxt, Rocco and Peter Gossamer performed multiple exhibits at a variety of Centrepoint Malls for more than a 7 days.

In 2004, the Singapore Magic Circle (SMC) was designed by Aloysius Yeo and with its on-line discussion board drew a new pool of magic fanatics jointly. SMC has because developed to in excess of a thousand customers and often organize gatherings, functions as well as the latest Concept:Magic Micro MAGIC Conference in January 2007.

Via a massive-scale theatre magic musical ‘Magic of Love’, Lawrence Khong, a pastor with Faith Local community Baptist Church and his daughter Pricilla, unfold the gospel information.

The multi-million dollar manufacturing has been staged many times in excess of the years throughout the world to distribute the word of Christ. Subsequently, the identical crew structured two Worldwide Competition of Magic conventions in 2003 & 2005. The initial of its sort massive magic occasions provided competitions, lectures, a dealers’ area and performances. International performers these kinds of as Jeff McBride, Max Maven, Johnny Thomspon, The Pendragons, Lee Eun Gyeol and Tommy Question had been booked to perform at the gala shows and lectures.

In latest several years, J C Sum has turn into arguably the most prominent Singapore magician of this era. His magic has been witnessed by thousands and thousands via his stay performances throughout Asia as properly as his landmark mass media initiatives on MediaCorp Studio’s Ch eight as well as subsequent ‘Street Illusions’ compilation DVD/ VCD.

His 24-episode ‘Magic in Motion’ series can presently be observed day-to-day on Singapore Push Holdings MediaBoxOffice by means of 2007. In the global magic community, J C has also proven himself as an elite illusion designer from Asia with the publication of his three critically acclaimed illusion books that have been offered in far more than 30 countries to day.

One more talented award-winning magician, Jeremy Pei, is raising the profile of Singapore magic inside of the regional magic group with his theatre demonstrates, arranged lectures, workshops and active participation in magic conventions & competitions in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand and Australia. His distinctive North-Asian influence fashion of magic efficiency has garnered him a subsequent with new budding magicians whom he teaches and guides. He has also introduced several unique magic merchandise which are accessible to magicians worldwide.

In yet another initial, award-profitable junior magician, Kyle Ravin secured a 13-episode weekly Road Magic sequence, “Maya” on MediaCorp Studios’ Vasantham Central. This 30min sequence saw him execute magic for the Indian group and celebs across the region.

psilocybe cubensis has observed the introduction of even far more magic retailers and sellers run by youthful magicians to fulfill the demand of magic lovers and magicians. These incorporate new ‘brick & mortar’ magic stores this sort of as Street Magic by Tan Wei Ping, Difficult Organization by Jimmy Wong, The Magic Corridor by Kenneth Peh as nicely as on-line outlets like The Tiny Magic Shop by Ning.