Blending Chinese Elements with Grand-scale Illusions in "IMAGINE NATION"
Unveiling a Magical Winter for Hong Kong
Gala Premiere Performance Receives Support From All Sectors of Society
HONG KONG, Jan. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the pioneer in grand-scale illusions and technological stage production, the world's foremost illusionist Franz Harary is presenting his most beloved tricks at the city's newest cultural events space Just Live, located at the Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space. The magic show IMAGINE NATION gathers his most successful and beloved tricks honed from more than four decades in the business, bringing the warmth of magic to the wintry coldness of the city. Since kicking off performances from December 28, IMAGINE NATION has provided fun and joy to countless families of all ages and sizes. The show at the night of January 9 included a special Gala Premiere Performance that was attended by many prominent guests and respected community leaders from various sectors in Hong Kong. Guests enjoyed the dreamlike, futuristic, high-tech, audio-visual feast of magic put on by Harary and his team, as the show had also incorporated arts and cultural elements inspired by the confluence of Eastern and Western heritage belonging to the city of Hong Kong.
Harary is renowned for integrating immersive visual effects, pop music and dance choreography into his grand-scale illusions, using high-tech audio and lighting effects to create a highly entertaining magic show filled with eclectic escape acts, object disappearance and transformation tricks. As IMAGINE NATION will be showing in Hong Kong throughout Lunar New Year, Harary has specially integrated elements of Chinese culture onto the stage, such as by including Chinese pop songs and Kungfu choreography inspired by the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, seeking to create an even more powerful resonance with audiences from the city and Mainland China.
Aiming to more intimately share the joy of magic with others, Harary and his team invited children and adults to join them on stage and assist in the performances. This priceless interaction convinced little children to put down their electronic devices and focus their attention wholly on the magic taking place right before their eyes, inspiring their imaginations and getting them to wonder at just how these effects were created. IMAGINE NATION is a cherished and fun-filled experience for all members, no matter big or small, in the family.
Harary said: "Performing on stage with children always fills me with immense excitement. When I see their eyes light up with surprise and curiosity, I can sense their inner longing for the world of magic, and their genuine reactions of wonder and amazement draws me deeper into my performance. In that moment, I am not just conducting a magic trick, but taking part in a shared and wonderful experience with them. To them, I am not just a typical magician, but a messenger of magic, planting the seed of wonder and creativity in their hearts."
Harary began his journey into the world of magic at the age of 13, and has since spent four decades redefining the art form by experimenting with magic and technology. To date, Harary is an internationally renowned stage producer, bringing magic technology into live concert productions and having served as the magic consultant for Michael Jackson, and collaborated with stars like Madonna, Justin Bieber and more to recreate the visual effects seen in their music videos live on stage. Harary still holds close to heart what Jackson had once said to him about aptitude - that whatever he puts his heart to, he should always do it differently and better than anyone else has ever done. Creating IMAGINE NATION is his way of sharing this philosophy to audiences from all walks of life around the globe. "As a magician, I need to view the world through the eyes of a five-year-old child. I believe that the younger generation must let go of preconceived notions and avoid the assumption that there are fixed 'right' or 'wrong' ways to do things. Don't look at the world as one that has been designed to service you in a certain way. Look to it as a collection of a million different tools waiting for someone to discover. This is how people and society grow. I believe that potential for such growth is especially strong in Hong Kong because of the city's avant-garde and free-spirited attitude."
Ms. Kelly Liu, Executive Director and CEO, of Show Plus (Investment) Hong Kong Limited, the co-organizer of IMAGINE NATION and Just Live, stated: "A magic show doesn't rely much on language to convey its message, as magic is a visual medium and reaches audiences through a combination of vivid performance and visual effects. We made very sure as we designed the stage that audiences will be fully immersed when they watch the show. As such, IMAGINE NATION is a must-watch for audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Enhancing the quality and diversity of Hong Kong's cultural calendar not only attracts more visitors, but also promotes the vibrancy of our society and injects new colours into Hong Kong's cultural life. It allows more people to experience Hong Kong's unique charm and encourages them to spend their lives here."
Showings for IMAGINE NATION have been extended to February 4, 2025. To make it easier for the audiences to share joyful moments with friends and family, they are welcome to take photos and videos throughout the performance and to share their happy memories all over social media.
Tickets to IMAGINE NATION are selling fast through Cityline. For more details, please visit:
(English) https://shows.cityline.com/en/2024/justlive2024.html or
(Chinese) https://shows.cityline.com/tc/2024/justlive2024.html
IMAGINE NATION & Just Live is co-organized by China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited and Show Plus (Investment) Hong Kong.
Show Information:
The show is available from 28 December, 2024 to 4 February, 2025.
Ticket Price:
| Seating
Zone | Standard Price | Package for 2 pax | Package for 3 pax |
| VIP | $1,088 | $1,976 | $2,964 |
| A | $888 | $1,576 | $2,364 |
| B | $688 | $1,176 | $1,764 |
| C | $488 | N/A | N/A |
| D | $288 | N/A | N/A |
| Performing venue | Just Live Hong Kong Harbourfront Event Space, adjacent to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Station |
| Ticketing purchase hotline | 2111 5333 |
| Ticketing counter hours | Mon to Fri 10am to 7pm, except public holidays |
| Customer service email | [email protected] |
Franz Harary Productions is a multifaceted production company based in Los Angeles, California that creates magic illusions, effects and fully staged productions for casinos, theme parks, stadiums, concerts, corporate functions, product launches, and other live and televised events. They also design and develop theme parks and major destination attractions internationally. The television division creates reality based programming, including the 12-part series Magic Planet, currently in syndication on several continents.
In business now for over 4 decades, Franz Harary stands alone as the first world-class magician to design and produce illusions entirely of his own creation. Mr. Harary's technical achievements in magic know no equal and Franz Harary Productions international tours are unparalleled in the industry.
About Show Plus (Hong Kong）Investment Limited
Making Happiness Happen Infinitely!
- A global IP operation company focused on high-end live entertainment.
- Possesses a world-renowned production and operations team with over 30 years of experience.
- Successfully produced and operated projects in major cities across Asia, North America, and Europe.
- Notable for the globally acclaimed "Cavalia" horse dance project, successfully staged in Hong Kong and over a hundred prestigious cultural and tourist destinations worldwide, receiving widespread acclaim.
- Owns licenses for top international live entertainment IPs.
- Plans to invest in and operate high-end performing arts projects in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other internationally renowned cultural and tourist cities.