FISM STAGE CONTEST :: BY CRAIG MITCHELL

For those that are just joining us - we are continuing our search for that elusive FISM winner.

1. Julius Franck - Illusions - Germany
Some great original ideas including the production of a girl from a circular frame and a suspension in which the magic walks thru the torso of the suspended girl

2. Duo Kybalion - General - Spain
We start off with a cheap version of Copperfield's elevator illusion using video projection and later live interaction with the projected image ( note to magicians, the idea of interacting with a very screen is getting old now ... get over it ) Various costume changes ( he looked like an eskimo wearing so many layers of clothes ) ending with compulsory confetti launch and vanish at the end.

3. Ma Yanyan - General - China
The first time I have ever seen a ballerina card manipulator ( complete with tutu ) that made for an impromptu table and pirouette steals ending with the 2 flags featuring the Gay pride colours ( intentional, I have no idea )

4. Sergey Yanpolskiy - General - Russia
A mystery filled act that had one or two standout touches - the major highlight was the levitation of just the flames from a candle - this little segment was beautiful and elegant.

5. Sebasian Nicolas - Manipulation - Germany
Jumbo watch manipulation with a very scary look on his face. Card manipulation, flaming card, fire in palms to watches ending with the transformation of his table to jumbo hour glass complete with sand.

6. Naka Kyosuke - General - Japan
Face masks, fans and confetti along with the Jeff McBride silk from eyes move.

7. Red Hat - General - Korea
Wearing crucifix ear-rings, Red Hat takes the form of a marionette character with color changing masks, manipulation etc. I've seen the act before - but it just wasn't clicking today.

8. Brynolf & Ljung - General - Sweden
Duo act ... 1 in full business suit - the other strips to his red underwear! Production of bowling balls, tennis racquets and the lean. Should have been entered under comedy - got a great response - but was too short and needing further development.

9. Qi Yuanrui - General - China
Our mass murder of fish that had the animal rights activists up in arms ( well - this is China after all ) Traditional fisherman literally caught real live fish in mid-air - complete with hook firmly attached ( and also produced a xmas tree at the end ) Only problem was - half the fish sunk to the bottom of the tank ... having given of their lives for our entertainment pleasure. It was suggested that a new rule be introduced that will result in the immediate disqualification of a contestant if any living being ( especially for Sue-Anne Webster and shock therapy ) is harmed during a performance.

10. An Ha Lim - Manipulation - Korea
A clear FISM winner who swept the stage with his unbelievable dexterity. The act was featured at IBM SAM so I'm sure most are familiar with this tidal force of cards that appear from everywhere. While the act is horribly repetitive - he is unbelievably skilled and received a standing ovation.

11. Rob & Emiel - Mentalism - Netherlands
A second sight act that was way too fast for my liking - thus destroying the very mystery element of the performance. When you are revealing 20+ objects in the space of a minute - it very quickly comes across that there isn't much skill to this special gift you possess.

12. Nacho Diago - Spain
A bizarre act set in a child's bedroom. Only highlight was an animated bed lamp ( picture the Pixar lamp ) But as for the magic - it was more a mime demonstration.

13. Akua Shin - General - Japan
Tuxedo clad, vanishing cane, card fans to hat, glitter backed cards, biliard balls and more card manipulation.

14. Juan Ordeix - Mentaism - Argentina
4 balloons are thrown into the audience. 4 random pieces of information are provided. Balloons are popped in the spectators' hands and predictions contained within are a perfect match. The final prediction was on page 77 in the FISM program - being the name of a country ... France. ALmost too good to be true if no stooges were used ( I didn't unfortunately see the selection process ) Standing ovation.

15. Magic Sky Group - Illusions - China
A giant urn is seen standing on a platform in the middle of the stage. For some reason - we must now float the urn ala zombie, produce a girl from within the floating urn, move to a snowstrom ( wow, thats a new one ) then battle with a costumed character who comes to life, do a metamorphosis style illusion atop a chest and then recreate spiderman on stage for us - sorry, a 'levitation' in which the girl is stuck to the back of what resembles a giant porcelain plate.

And that's the stage acts for Wednesday. We really need to compliment the stage crew, jury and technical team for the stage contests. They've been moving like clockwork! Such a joy when things go so smoothly.

On a side note, much has been said about China's lax policy with regards to filming, photography etc. But what is the point of making all the announcements in the world threatening that anyone caught filming will be evicted when you do nothing about it. We have half an army inside the venue ( there's that hyperbole again ) - let's make use of them :-)

Subtlety isn't the offenders' strong point: