"Imagination is better than information." -- Albert Einstein What do you imagine when... The clown climbs into a basket while Marcus keeps the audience in suspense with his glittering sword? Marcus then thrusts the big blade into the basket. Can you imagine the worst -- the blazing sword cutting through the poor clown's heart? But, voila! When the sword is removed, the lid of the basket opens and out jumps the smiling clown in one piece. Impossible? Yep! That's why magicians and illusionists do...play with your mind and manipulate your mind to imagine. Marcus Mah has been in his 'magicworld' for over 14 years. "I took it up as a hobby when I was 14. I learnt it under my 'sifu' who was a professional magician then. I became a full-time magician three years ago." How did you learn the tricks other from than those taught by your 'sifu'? "I learnt from books, conferences and video tapes made available to magicians. We have a worldwide club, International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), where we come together and share ideas and learn new techniques. For example in the olden days, when magicians utilised the saw to 'cut' a woman into half, there were actually two women on stage to do the trick. That was why the box was usually big. But today, the techniques is more sophisticated. The box today is sleek and small. You can't possibly put two women in there!" So, what's the secret? "Ah! The code of ethics Number One for magicians is 'Never, ever reveal the secret' or I'll be out of a job! There are two basic methods to create illusions. Some magicians use props to build up the illusions and others use manipulation or hand skills as utilised in card or money tricks." (At this point, Marcus took out a regular tissue paper, rolled it up and rubbed it with his fingers. Voila! The tissue transformed into a RM100 note! Wow! Not a bad way to make money, huh?) "Magicians are entertainers. I like to do fun shows like comedy magic and not the mystical or horrifying acts." Where do you do your shows? "Everywhere and anywhere. Hospitals, clubs, family day gatherings, shopping complexes." Who is your mentor? What do you aspire to be like? "Siegfried and Roy (he exclaimed excitedly). He mentioned that they are the "Masters of the Impossible" who had never had an empty seat for their performances at the Mirage in Las Vegas, USA. "Magic is imagination, and magic is everywhere," Marcus quotes Siegfried and Roy, the world-renowned illiusionists. "In all of us, there is an illusive melody which when heard and followed, leads to the fulfilment of our fondest dreams." That is magic. other people | the full story | top | main | potpourri | back to mir