The recent First National Magic Festival in Hanoi, organized by the Vietnam Magic Association, was thus a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for performers to prove themselves as respectable, independent artists.

A shortage of funding, however, hindered the success of the five-day festival for performers and organizers alike.

According to magician Bao Linh, some entertainers had to sell their motorbikes to afford the props necessary for their performances.

Stage equipment used for transposing people or running a sword through a special box with an assistant inside can cost up to VND40 million (US$2,500), said Linh.

And despite the price, the props would likely be used just once, he added.

Organizers, meanwhile, said their limited budget left them unable to build a standard stage for the festival.

Instead, they had to borrow a round platform belonging to the Circus Federation, which meant audience members could easily walk behind the magicians to see how they performed their tricks.

Additionally, prize money was to be awarded to the top magicians, said Nguyen Thi Tam Chinh, president of the Vietnam Magic Association.

The amount for each prize, however, was determined by how many tickets were sold – which turned out to be very few.

The relatively high cost of tickets, ranging from VND100,000-120,000 ($6.20-7.40) apiece, proved to be a turnoff for many who were used to paying half as much for similar events.

Just two tickets were sold on the first day of the festival and five on the second, according to a ticket office representative.

As a result, only modest awards were given to the winners.

The highest prize was VND2 million ($125).

Many entertainers were left discouraged and disappointed when organizers couldn’t even afford to hand out flowers or certificates of participation.

Tragic magic

Aside from the funding shortage, most performances also left something to be desired, said festival-goers.

A lack of creativity topped the list of criticism with most acts relying on tired, old tricks like pulling a rabbit or flowers out of a hat.

And those that tried more innovative tricks often executed them clumsily, inadvertently revealing their secrets.

Some artists, however, stood out above the rest showing they had invested much time and energy in their acts.

The Bach Long Circus-Magic Club and the Dai Duong Circus Troupe, for example, attempted to weave magic tricks into stories with meaningful social messages.

Organizers said they are still planning to run the festival as a periodical event, though not again until sometime in 2010.

Source: Tuoi Tre