Student performance troupe: Diary of a Magician
The Adelaide Fringe and Festivals are in full swing. Last week a student performance troupe staged an unusual show entitled Diary of a Magician, at the Garage International venue behind the Adelaide Town Hall. The students are all studying at the Graduate Institute of the Performing Arts, Taiwan Normal ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ in Taipei.
Last year the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ welcomed this group of students as they explored the Fringe, with a view to bringing their own show in the future. I had the privilege of seeing that show a week ago.
It is an enchanting piece, fully devised by the students, offering a blend of magic, mime, dance, poetry, clowning, physical theatre and music. Diary of a Magician is whimsical, exuberant and aesthetically rich. Mu-Syuan Chang presents a series of magical ‘tricks’ while dancing. The show also provides a simple and elegant use of multi-media elements. It is stylish, compelling to watch and has that rare quality: an appeal to all age groups. The sense of delight amongst the audience was palpable. I understand that the last performance was full of children. Kids in Adelaide gave it 5 stars.
I congratulate the students wholeheartedly on this project and hope to see them at the Fringe again.
Professor Anne Pender, Director, JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice