| High-fliers
Vincent and Lilin attempt daredevil stunts
July 26, 2001
The 2 popular artistes will be flying in
the air, suspended by balloons in a heliosphere performance - a
world premiere not to be missed during NDP 2001.
By Yap Geok Hui
(Click on pictures for larger image)
Parachutists descending from helicopters thrill
NDP spectators and viewers at home each year. This year, Singaporeans
will be treated to a brand new experience - a heliosphere performance.
OK, what's that, you ask. Well,
in simple
terms, the aerialists, suspended by 4 big balloons will fly from
the top of the stadium over the heads of enthralled spectators.
That's not all.
  Strapped
in bi-rotational harnesses 15 metres above ground, they will have
to turn 'cartwheels' in mid-air - a stunt that relies heavily on
timing and symmetry in their manoeuvres.
  And
what's more, the 2 daredevils are none other than our very own MediaCorp
artistes, Vincent
Ng and
Lilin. Having only trained on this spectacular item for about
3-4 times, it is no mean feat for these 2 to learn the choreography
and achieve balance and grace while suspended in mid-air.
   
At the very least, you got to give it to them
for being courageous. Watching at the side during one of their rehearsals,
I witnessed the difficulty of the stunts, although they were learning
the routines close to ground level.
   
Turning cartwheels and rotating their lean bodies
180 degrees and back…wow! Well at least, for the likes of myself,
those stunts are something totally beyond me. Once again, I marvelled
at the versatility of the artistes.
According to choreographer Steve Edgar, "This
will be a visually spectacular display performed to the song "My
Dream". This feat requires extensive co-ordination from the
aerialists, the 2 performing artistes as well as the ground crew
controlling the massive, illuminated balloons."
   
As for Vincent and Lilin, Steve was full of
praises, "Lilin is so graceful and petite and Vincent is very
strong. Usually, we prefer girls to do the heliosphere performance
as they are lighter but these girls need to be very strong as well.
The heavier you are, the harder it is but Vincent is an exception.
With his Wushu background, he did a great job, you can imagine how
strong he is."
 Although
this is his 3rd time performing for NDP, the pride of being able
to perform for the country's birthday is still exhilarating for
this fit Sagittarius. "Even my Taiwanese friend said he feel
very safe walking around in Singapore," said Vincent.
 Having
had prior experience with the harness as a commando in army, the
soon-to-be 26-year-old expressed that he is used to the harness.
Instead the most difficult thing to him is to appear relaxed and
graceful to the viewers when they are actually exerting strength
from the back and stomach to keep their balance.
 For
Lilin with her ballet and Pilates background, balance and poise
appear to be no big problem. "My background helped in remembering
the choreography."
Although tired from juggling filming with practice,
childlike Lilin cannot suppress her excitement, "It's (heliosphere)
very fun." Well, her enjoyment is evident from her bouts of
giggles at a few quick somersaults she executed. Even the discomfort
and pain from the tightness of the harness did not damper her mood.
 "This
is my first time performing during NDP. I'm very honoured. With
the whole Singapore watching, I would feel very patriotic."
The heliosphere performance will last
two-and-a-half minutes and it is staged between the first 2 shows
of the Mass Display. Remember to watch out for Vincent and Lilin
and don't blink.
NDP
2001
is to be telecast on Channel
5, Channel
8, Suria
and Vasantham
Central in the 4 official languages. Viewers on the move can
also catch it on TV
Mobile.
Singaporeans
abroad can also catch the NDP 2001 on our webcast at www.woof.com.sg.
More
entertainment stories here
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