Yellowknife (June 27/03) - He's quick, he's witty, but most of all -- he's magical.

Tony Eng, one of the world's most sought-after magicians, performed at eight different schools in Yellowknife last week.

Disappearing coin tricks, magical ropes and balloon animal prizes made Eng a smash hit at each school.

"The kids here are great. They've been incredibly receptive," said Eng.

As Eng performed a trick involving a disappearing picture of a rabbit face, the NJ kids thought they had him figured out.

But when a young girl came out of the elementary school audience to prove she knew Eng was cheating and that she could find the rabbit face, she found the tail of the rabbit instead.

"Did you see the look on that girl's face when she didn't solve the magic trick?" a smiling Eng said after the show.

Barry Talbot of Manulife Securities brought Eng to Yellowknife to entertain his clients and their families. But he couldn't resist sharing the magician with some local schools.

"He loves to entertain," said Talbot. "I thought it would be interesting for Yellowknife kids to see him, since many wouldn't get this kind of opportunity."

Eng has been practising magic since he was eight-years-old.

He has appeared in TV shows, motion pictures, CD-ROM games, and "loves performing for children."

It was Eng's first for visit to Yellowknife. The reception and great fishing could mean an encore sometime in the future.

"I think we should give Barry some credit here," said Eng. He met Talbot at a performance in Red Deer and agreed to come to Yellowknife.

"He's the reason I get to be here."