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MAGICBOX@Chingay saw their first-ever full parade performance with other contingents at the Chingay Parade Singapore 2009 media preview on 10 January, from 6pm to 10pm, in the People’s Association Headquarters (PA HQ). It was nothing short of a hit with the media, all thanks to their magical showing led by MAGICBOX stars, Lawrence and Priscilla Khong!
 Some 500 of the MAGIC BOX participants - dancers, levitators, magicians and skyrunners, and their group leaders and production crew - were all excited to perform in this first-ever full parade rehearsal before the media audience, comprising the major local television networks and newspapers, who came to cover the news. From as early as noon time on that day, they started getting busy to prepare for the big show ahead together at the TOUCH Community Theatre.
 Fully transformed into their larger-than-life roles, all thanks to their futuristic costumes and magical touch of costume make-up after a few hours of hard work by all in the afternoon, the MAGICBOX contingent arrived at the PA HQ later, as one of the most hard-to-miss performing groups amongst the other contingents that evening. In fact, they were the envy of many a participant for spotting a ‘cool and chic’ look, as overheard through the loud awes from the rest who caught more than an eye of them.
 Of course, not to forget as well, the most talked-about MAGICBOX float amongst the 13 glittery floats on parade, with its spectacular architecture, shimmery exterior, it is reminiscent to a real-life space machine taken out of the movies. Best of all, it comes complete with similar impressive powers to maneuver itself and perform other various ‘stunts’ of its own, too.
 As the four-hour long media preview kicked off with a whimsical start – echoing the ‘Chingay Wonderland’ theme this year, all the contingents began to tease and wow the media crowd with their outstanding floats parade and performances. But it was the exhilarating magic stunts of the MAGICBOX finale contingent performance that turned them into the real show-stealer!
 With its star, Master Illusionist Lawrence Khong, opening the contingent act, riding in high atop his horse and bearing the Chingay Parade 2009 flag, the suave ‘King of Magic World’ paved the way of success for their close to 30-minute performance to come.
 His first illusion was conjuring up the ‘Princess of Magic World’, his other MAGICBOX star, Master Illusionist Priscilla Khong, and also his real-life daughter, from thin air within a magic cage suspended in mid-air. Thunderous applause from the audience filled the entire place, as all bemused over how this father-daughter duo pulled off this seemingly impossible illusion before their very eyes.
 Priscilla also showcased her exciting magic highlight of the performance, ‘The Torch Box Illusion’ next. She was first enclosed in a box and mercilessly ‘pierced’ with several burning torches by Lawrence himself, and yet magically escaped from it all unscathed.
Finally, the finale act, ‘Burnt Alive At Chingay 2009’, performed by none other than the ‘King of Magic World’, Lawrence Khong, himself was staged, where he gave a teaser glimpse into the dizzy height of how this thrilling live death-defying escape attempt will be like before the audience on the actual day of performance.
 All in all, the entire Chingay Parade media preview had been an astounding ‘show before show’ that excited the media audience - where the MAGICBOX@Chingay finale performance is their definite, must-watch performance of the evening!.
 But aside from a magical showing, it was evidently the ‘can-do’ spirit of teamwork and patience, and soaring sense of pride and excellence amongst the MAGICBOX@Chingay participants towards their performance, that shone through their evening’s performance success!
Grace Beh, 24 – Levitator
“MAGICBOX@Chingay has been a very unique experience for me, because it is my first time joining in such an event. I have also three sisters who have joined in this event with me. Two of them are dancers and another is a magician. Through this experience, I learnt patience and teamwork... I hope to bring to our audience ‘Surprise!’ at the end of it all. After all, it is magic, and magic is meant to surprise and make people laugh. I look forward to seeing the whole MAGICBOX@Chingay event turn out a success!”
Jonathan Loo, 31 – Magician
“It has been a fun but very tiring experience. Most of the challenges come from the choreography of the team – because there were a lot of changes. The other challenge comes from the magic part – how to make our performance magical. Hopefully, I will put up a great performance in magic. And on that day, everything runs well – the audience will feel magical about it. We have done our best and we will put up a good show on that day!”
Sonia Gill, 14 & Debbie Zaini, 14 – Dancers
“Everything about MAGICBOX@Chingay is memorable and it has been a super fun experience! We look forward to every practice and to the actual Chingay performance day. Although the training hours were tough and long… and we even got sick because of all the heat rehearsing under the sun…we did not think of not turning up for rehearsals; it was too fun to miss! Thank MAGICBOX@Chingay, for giving us the great opportunity of participation!”
Olivia Tan, 18 – Skyrunner
“It was something new that I never experienced before. A lot of teamwork is needed and the most important thing that keeps us going is one another... Like they say, it takes many years (practising) behind the stage, but it is only five minutes (performing) on stage. I appreciate this phrase a lot because I get to experience it right now… I am looking forward to the finale performance. Hopefully, everyone will do their best and put on a good show, and all the audience will appreciate our hard work, too. Thank you for giving us this opportunity that allows us to join in this Chingay event – to give us a different experience. Thank you to all our leaders who supported us, prepared our food, our costumes... And thank you to all my fellow performers for your encouragement and support.”
To show your support for the MAGICBOX@Chingay finale performance, you can vote for it as your ‘Favourite Chingay Float’ at the Parade this year. Simply click here to vote online now or via sms on the 30th and 31st of January.
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