Science as magical entertainment

Canadian magician Billy Kidd shows one of the tricks featured in “The Magic of Science,” a new show on Discovery Channel. It presents science in a different light by using the entertaining aspect of theatrical exhibition in showcasing scientific realities in physics, chemistry and biology. MATIKAS SANTOS

MANILA, Philippines—When science reach a point where one needs to go through tons of memorization, learning it can sometimes get dry, dull, and just overall uninteresting, especially to children.

In an all new nine-part series featuring jaw-dropping illusions performed by magicians, Discovery Channel presents science in a different light by using the entertaining aspect of theatrical exhibition in showcasing scientific realities in physics, chemistry and biology.

“The Magic of Science,” which premieres on March 6, Wednesday at 11 p.m. in the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, will feature magicians; Canadian Billy Kidd, American Wayne Houchin, Briton Ben Hanlin and Autralian James Galea doing tricks backed by real science.

“We took science experiments that have been taught in schools around the world. But instead of just telling how science works, we want to make it more entertaining and more educational . . . by taking science experiments and performing them as magicians, creating the illusion of magic,” Kidd said in a recent press conference in Makati City.

A former theatre actress herself, Kidd said she recognizes the importance of the emotional impact one can get from arts and entertainment. She added this aspect is sometimes lacking in traditional school environment.

“When you combine that education with art and entertainment, in a way, it brings an emotional impact to you, [and you] remember it more,” Kidd said.

While younger audiences can possibly relate more to the show, Kidd said older people will enjoy it too, as they will be taken back to their classroom days as they look back to things they have learned in school, including those that they may have already forgotten and didn’t care about before.

In fact, Kidd said she and his co-hosts became science lovers since they started doing the show.

Meanwhile, asked about the best thing in being a magician, Kidd said, “it is when you show someone a piece of magic and you get to just watch their facial reaction . . . their whole body get all filled with reaction . . . and that moment of astonishment when they experience that feeling of wonder.”

Kidd has performed stage and close-up street-shows in Canada, United States, Japan, Dubai, Portugal, Austria, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. And among her favorite tricks are those that use cards.