VietNamNet Bridge - Small coins suddenly disappear into thin air, play cards fly through the air or run through the window, and two ropes twist themselves together.

Anybody got a coin? Tools of the trade for an amateur magician.

“How can they do that?” an astonished member of audience shouts. ” I think this must really be sorcery. Oh, it’s amazing and strange.”

These are just a few acts one witnesses at the Action for Magic (AFM) Club under the HCM City Open University begun by talented magician Vu An six months ago.

Doan Cong Thien identifies a card by burning zinc wire.

Since he knew nothing about magic, his path was one of self-study via internet clips and forums, and through books.

His efforts earned An a promising artist prize at the first National Magic Festival held in Ha Noi.

It is a promise he is determined to fulfil.

In June this year, An established the A4M magic club to bring together talented magicians who can increase their skills by sharing experiences and also for any enthusiast regardless of experience or expertise.

The club currently has more than 30 members of all ages including students from HCM City universities and other professionals.

An says there are two kinds of magic - street magic and stage magic, but in Viet Nam, the former is becoming increasingly popular among the youth because it is easy to learn and costs less to buy the props.

Street magic

Furthermore, street magic can be performed anywhere – parks, street corners, coffee shops – and at any time of the artist’s choosing.

With a few ordinary items like a pack of cards, small coins, a handkerchief and a pen, the artists can hold the audience spellbound.

Nguyen Cong Danh, deputy head of the A4M Club, says that street magic is a basic foundation to become a professional artist who can perform on the stage.

Danh says the art also requires the virtue of patience, diligence, perseverance and creativity, in order to develop the dexterity of hands and sharpness of the eyes.

Passionate learners are sometimes so absorbed in training and creating new tricks that they forget to eat and sleep, he says.

Nguyen Bao Son, a key member of A4M club as well as a guide to new learners, says a key to success is the ability to surprise viewers.

Son says if the audience knows what you are about to perform, they will not feel excited about it.

Learners should pay attention to some constant principles before performing including keeping absolutely secret the tricks and performing them only once during a show.

The audience can discover the trick if you repeat it, he cautions.

Refresher course

Furthermore, magicians need to refresh themselves constantly by coming with new tricks and innovations in order to avoid boring the viewers.

Dang Huynh Ngoc Lien, a club member who is good rings, coins and cards, echoes her male colleagues when she says success does not come from the first training.

She took about a week to perform a trick properly for the first time. It will take a lot of time for people have no aptitude for magic to achieve some proficiency, she says.

However, those with passion and the willingness to work hard can pursue this art, she feels.

Doan Cong Thien, another A4M Club member, says that apart from sharing experiences, the members also have a chance to make friends and participate in many other activities, including the opportunity to bring joy to the wards of the Thi Nghe Centre for orphans and disabled children.

Another magic club, Ao Thuat Tre (Young Magicians) is also promoting the art.

Pham Gia Tu, head of Ao Thuat Tre, says that he has learned the trade by himself since he was in grade nine and has two years experience teaching magic to students at the HCM City University of Technology (HUTECH).

Instead of spending many hours on surfing the internet, gaming online or chatting, the youth can participate in magic clubs to discover the tricks of famous professional artists in the world like David Copperfield and Oz Pearlman, he feels.

Enthusiasts can log in to http://www.aothuatgia.net to find out more about joining the two clubs or their activities.

(Source: VNS)