Straits Times News featuring Magic of Love!

[Actual news report on the main English paper in Singapore]

Oct 9, 2006

SITNews
S'pore adds a little magic to Japan ties
by Kwan Weng Kin

TOKYO - FAMILY MAGIC: The father-and-daughter team of Lawrence and Priscilla Khong easily overcame the language barrier at their charity magic show.

MAGICIANS Lawrence and Priscilla Khong are in the business of putting some magic into the lives of people wherever they go.

The father-and-daughter team from Singapore mounted an hour-long magic show in Tokyo last week that enthralled a nearly 150-strong audience of mostly pre-schoolers and the mentally handicapped.

The charity performance, held in Tokyo's Minato ward, was part of events marking the 40th anniversary of Singapore's establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan.

The Singapore Embassy, which organised the performance, is located in Minato ward.
'The embassy's objective is to portray a softer and kinder side of Singapore in the ward. We are also promoting the show as a kind of Singapore culture,' said an embassy official.

An interpreter was on hand during the show to help with translation whenever the magicians spoke in English.

But the illusions on stage hardly needed explaining.

Mrs Maureen Tan, wife of the Singapore Ambassador to Japan, Mr Tan Chin Tiong, was in the audience.

She said after the show: 'The audience was really responsive. At first, I thought they would be a bit shy. But you can hear the children's spontaneous shrieks of joy especially. There was no language barrier.'

The Singaporean magicians were here for a three-day run of their 'Magic of Love' musical extravaganza, following a successful tour in the US. The Tokyo shows ended yesterday.

The embassy also plans to invite two well-known Singapore chefs, including celebrated French chef Justin Quek, to prepare a series of formal lunches and dinners for distinguished guests in the next two months.

In December, the embassy plans to stage an event showcasing Singapore culture, which will include an opening night performance by the T'ang Quartet, Singapore's highly acclaimed chamber music group.

In December, the embassy plans to stage an event showcasing Singapore culture, which will include an opening night performance by the T'ang Quartet, Singapore's highly acclaimed chamber music group.

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Up next in Lawrence and Priscilla's travelling performances: Shenyang!