Knight of Illusions returns to change magic in Sri Lanka 

Cancer Hospital Project President Mohan Samarakoon addressing the press conference others   from left: Cancer Hospital Project secretary Dr. Sunil Siriwardhana, Magical Shawn Farquhar,  Knight of Illusions Founder Yass Gunaratne, Magical Thommy Ten, Magical Amelie van Tass and Performer Hannibal  – Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe

A Knight of Illusions, a brand created in 2001 to promote magic and illusions in Sri Lanka, joins hands with the Kandy General Hospital this weekend to raise funds for the new Cancer Hospital in Kandy, and in the process bring a little magic into our lives, as they present ‘A Knight of Illusions Returns’.

The show which promises to be ‘unlike anything ever shown in Sri Lanka before’, takes place on 20 February at the Musaeus College Auditorium in Colombo and will showcase the talents of some of the finest contemporary magicians in the world. It will include performances by two-time World Champion Magician Shawn Farquhar, reigning World Champions of Mentalism Thommy Ten and Amélie van Tass, as well as Sri Lankan talent Trevin ‘Hannibal’ and Knight of Illusions founder Yasas Gunaratne.

“I think this will be a unique experience for the Sri Lankan market and set a new benchmark for magic in Sri Lanka,” said Gunaratne at a media briefing on Tuesday. “That’s why I wanted to bring down world class magicians to Sri Lanka.

“But another part of me was wondering why not do magic for the benefit of the society? That is when I found out that the new Cancer Hospital project in Kandy was in need of funds,” he added.

The Kandy General Hospital caters to over 6,000 new cancer patients every year but has only 84 beds in its Cancer Ward and only three of those have been allocated for children. The new Cancer Hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and will cater to serving the needs of a patient. According to the project committee Chairman Mohan Samarakoon the total project will cost an estimated $ 10.5 million.

Gunaratne also thanked Shawn Farquhar, Thommy Ten and Amélie van Tass for having agreed to perform free of charge despite their busy world tour schedules. Bringing down performers of this calibre is an incredible coup for the Knight of Illusions group and even more so for the Sri Lankan public.

Farquhar, in addition to being the only two-time World Champion Magician, has also been featured on the Ellen Show and fooled Penn &Teller not once, but twice! He is a self-confessed magic ‘addict’, so much so that he couldn’t even begin addressing the media without first starting off with a trick where he pulls a deck of cards from his mouth.

“I’m addicted to magic. My father was a magician, as well as my grandfather and my great grandfather. So I’m like the fourth generation without a real job!” he joked.

Ten and van Tass were the first magicians in 30 years to be awarded the Mentalism world championship crown. They are currently a part of two world tours ‘The Illusionists 2.0’ and ‘The Illusionists 1903’. They were also named Magicians of the Year 2015 in Germany. “I’ve been to the last six (World Championships), nobody are as good as they are!” exclaimed Farquhar when he felt the duo were being too humble in explaining their Mentalism World Championship win.

Representing Sri Lanka is Trevin ‘Hannibal’, the President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) – Sri Lanka Chapter and will be performing his ‘serious comedy’ brand of magic and illusion. 

“This event is going to change the direction of magic in Sri Lanka. The perception of magic as a performing is going to change drastically, I’m sure, after Knight of Illusions,” said Trevin.

Gunaratne, who will also be performing, meanwhile says magic is a hobby of his, but he is IBM Territorial Vice President and has been featured in several magic magazines such as the ‘Linking Ring’ and ‘Vanish’.

‘Knight of Illusions Returns’, while giving Sri Lanka a taste of the highest tier of magical exploits is also hoping to recognise and support local talent with the ‘Knight of Illusions Challenge Trophy’. The challenge will be held on the 19 February with the World Champion Magicians on-hand to help select Sri Lanka’s best magician, who will then go on to represent the country at the FISM Asia Championship which is a stepping stone for the 2018 World Championships. All of the contestants will be previous national Magician of the Year winners, and the contest hopes to provide them with an incredible opportunity to rub shoulders and learn from some of the finest in the industry.

Tickets can be bought on KnightofIllusions.com.