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Magician keeps a promise

David Copperfield signs an autograph for his fan Wen Hsiang, left, who watched a performance of the American magician in Taiwan 15 years ago. PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES

World-renowned magician David Copperfield yesterday honored a pledge he made 15 years ago to a Taiwanese teenager who had participated in one of his shows in Taiwan, during a half-day stopover in Taipei.

When Copperfield performed in Taiwan in 1988, he promised 15-year-old Wen Hsiang (文香) an autograph after she was called up to the stage to aide him in one of his performances. He was unable to keep his promise, however, because of confusion backstage. Yesterday the magician finally autographed Yen's ticket stub, which she has kept for 15 years as a memento.

"It is amazing that she kept the little treasure [the ticket]. I am really sorry that I didn't have a chance to sign an autograph for her 15 years ago," Copperfield said.

The magician also received a thank you note from a local professor who was able to see his elderly mother -- whom he had not seen since he left China for Taiwan during the Chinese civil war in the 1940s -- thanks to a videotape of Copperfield's 1986 performances in China.

Lee Chuan-lung (李傳龍) is an associate professor at National Open University. His mother had been chosen by Copperfield to take part in one his illusions when the magician was working on a show in China. The show was taped live and Lee, hearing that his mother participated in part of the program, got a copy of the videotape and was finally able to catch a glimpse of his mother.

"Although my mother passed away 14 years ago, with this tape, my family and I can see her whenever we miss her," Lee said.

Copperfield told Lee that the performance in which Lee's mother participated was an original illusion and the video has been shown to many magicians.
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