Hong Kong performers revive magical past

Disappearing acts

In recent years, however, the development of magic in Hong Kong has stagnated, said Albert Tam Wing-chuen, honorary president of the Magicians' Association of Hong Kong.

Tam began performing magic in the 1980s, and has seen firsthand its trajectory over four decades.

In the 1980s, nightclubs were popular and featured magic shows almost every night, and in the 1990s magicians were often invited to entertain at banquets and pubs. In the 21st century, magicians were popular performers at shopping malls, corporate events, private parties, and other events.

However, today magicians struggle to book shows. Due to the social unrest in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's economic situation has also deteriorated, posing economic challenges for the entire entertainment industry. Magic, a niche art form, has been particularly hard hit.

As a ripple effect of the economic downturn, some shopping malls and companies have stopped organizing banquets, while organizers of these events now prioritize music performances over magic shows.

"Twenty years ago, I was able to conduct five shows a night around Christmastime, however, in recent years I haven't received a single invitation," Tam said.

Mainstream art forms like film and music have been given government support to survive the economic downturn, but magicians have not received similar backing, Tam said.

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council, responsible for fostering arts in the special administrative region, focuses on 10 art forms but excludes magic.

Similarly, the HKADC's Project Grant system omits magic. The Project Grant's mission statement points out that the HKADC will not accept applications for magic, martial arts, gymnastics, cooking or gardening projects.

Tam believes Hong Kong has undervalued niche art forms for many years. However, many regions nearby have recognized their worth and actively make use of their value, he said.

On the mainland, magic and acrobatics are closely related and both are overseen by the China Acrobats Association. The association coordinates magic competitions, performances, forums, and other activities. One university — Beijing Polytechnic — has introduced a program focused on magic design and performance, the first university in the world to offer such a program.

More than a decade ago, South Korea integrated cultural industries, including magic, into its core development sectors. Today, South Korea boasts numerous companies associated with the magic industry and has trained many magicians who have won international competitions.