Frenchman Philibeg Bougard brings magic to SCRF 2025
Bougard, who first rose to fame on
France's Got Incredible Talent
, used beloved characters from classic tales, including
Ali Baba
, in his routines. Each act, a display of illusion, also gave a playful nod to childhood legends, allowing children to connect deeply with the stories they knew.
In one unforgettable moment, Bougard called a young girl from the audience and, like a scene straight out of
Sleeping Beauty
, made her levitate midair as she floated gracefully above the stage in her sleep as the crowd watched in breathless awe. Meanwhile watching Ali Baba conjure gold coins or unlock secret treasures kept the young audience hooked.
10-year-old Fathima Laiba, said: 'It felt like I was watching real magic! I loved it when he made the girl float — it was like a fairytale coming true.' For her school friend Fathima Amna, 13, also from India, watching it all unfold in front of his eyes was no less intriguing. "I've seen magic tricks on TV before, but seeing it live for the first time, with all the music and lights, made it feel like we were part of a magical story."
'What makes Philibeg's show special is how he marries magic with music and interactive storytelling," said Raissa Mohammed, a teacher accompanying students to the hit show. "He doesn't just perform tricks; he invites children to journey through fantastical worlds."
With every sleight of hand and musical beat,
Magic in the Air
delivered on its promise – celebrating the limitless imagination that SCRF champions. Bougard's infectious energy and crowd engagement made sure that for three quarters of one magical hour, everyone – young and old – truly believed in magic.
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