It seems that few magicians these days are performing "mega-illusions." Remember these? The groups of people vanishing from a site, or an airplane, elephant or national monument disappearing into seemingly nowhere? 
Fortunately, Singapore's J C Sum and Magic "Babe" Ning haven't overlooked the promotional opportunities and ability to raise the art of magic that a great "mega-illusion" can provide.
I'm happy to report that Sum and Ning successfully staged their ninth "mega-illusion" by reading the minds of 100 spectators in a mere 60 minutes. 
Entitled "The Mind Heist," the pair touted the stunt as "the ultimate social magic experiment." In addition to lots of press, the pair were presented with a record that was certified by the Singapore Book of Records.
According to the pair's blog, "The Mind Heist" employed a large variety of mentalism techniques in sequences that included: a Falkenstein-inspired segment with cards and money, along with revelations with a headline and newspaper story, colors on a mixed-up Rubik's Cube, random words from books and drawings by spectators.
"We actually officially clocked in nine seconds before the 60 minute time limit," said Sum to Magic.About.com. "While this made a great dramatic and suspenseful story, it was never planned to be that close. In all our run-throughs (without actually having 100 people), we clocked consistently between 42min - 46min. So we thought, even with a ten minute buffer, we would still be under time. But, the pace just slowed with the live audience. People took longer to react, respond to questions and move down to the performance area from their seats. So the seconds and minutes just added up. We thought it might be possible that we might miss with 1 or 2 people if they were difficult, but never thought time would ever be an issue!"
Congratulations to J C Sum and Magic "Babe" Ning on their successful media event.
More Reading
Review: "Behind the Illusions" by JC Sum and "Magic Babe" Ning
Review of Urban Illusions by JC Sum
Comments
Thanks for covering this! Ning & I really appreciate it
I love grand illusions.
As we approached Christmas, Wayne focused our minds towards the ‘miracles’ of Jesus Christ.
As we all know, the ‘cruci-fiction’ was held in a private garden on a gaffed cross (Jesus had a platform for his feet to support his weight). Sadly, the Centurion guarding the cross was so taken in, he tried to be merciful and stabbed Jesus in the side in an attempt to put him out of his ‘misery’.
It has to be said, Jesus performed some cracking stuff – from feeding five-thousand people with just 5 loaves and 2 fishes, right up to his final illusion – the ‘ascension’ (floating person).
For some reason modern magicians have ignored these fabulous 2000 year-old stunts – that is – until now.
Yesterday the BBC put out ‘The Magicians’ – a live magic show – now in its fabulous second season – and the ‘Grand Illusions’ were just the best ever – focusing on some of the ‘miracles of Jesus’. Talk about awe and amazement!
Right at the top of the show the world-class illusionist Latimer, with his guest for this week, the gorgeous Kimberley from ‘The Pussy Cat Dolls’, performed the best levitation I have ever seen – ever – and that was just the START! The whole show sent tingles down our backs.
If you missed the live broadcast then catch it on the BBC iPlayer. Its sensational!
Should you watch the show and you wonder at the wonderment, and you wonder what the fabulous piece of music Latimer used to add atmosphere to Latimer’s amazing levitation, it is called ‘No one like you’ – from the movie ‘Powder’ (great DVD) – sung by Sarah Brightman.
Here is the BBC iPlayer link – be quick – it runs out this coming Friday!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bcppt
Get your nomination page up Wayne – I know where my votes are going!
And finally – Barry and Stuart are our very British equivalent of your Penn and Teller.