HCM CITY — Two artists from Quảng Trị and Bến Tre provinces won the Golden Medal prize at the 3rd National Magic Festival 2018 held at the HCM City Opera House on Monday.  

Magician Lê Tuấn Anh of Quảng Trị attracted crowds with his performance in a show called Một Thoáng Hương Chăm (A Flavour of Chăm Culture).

He used female dancers in Chăm clothes to dazzle the audience.

Trần Vĩnh Thịnh of Bến Tre entertained his fans with magic tricks using hats, cards and doves.

“Magicians in provinces have worked very hard to compete with their colleagues in big cities. Their performances at this year festival prove that art has no limits,” said People’s Artist Vũ Ngoạn Hợp, chairman of the festival’s jury.  

Anh and Thịnh shared the Golden Medal with three artists from HCM City and Hà Nội. 

Golden Medal winner Trần Dũng of HCM City also performed a series of magic tricks and illusions that appeared supernatural. His female partner seemed to be four metres in the air on water.  

The winners competed with 33 veteran and young artists, in different magic styles, from 16 State-owned and private art troupes during the festival. 

The two-day event was organised by Việt Nam Theatre Artists Association, in co-operation with its partner, HCM City Department of Culture & Sports.

It aims to help magic artists stage and develop their art.

The organisers presented six Silver Medal prizes and dozens of consolation prizes to young performers. — VNS