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Illusionist to the North She's perhaps the greatest illusionist in Japan. These days, Princess Tenko is popular in North Korea, too, with Kim Jong Il among her most avid fans. Although she started under the stage name of Hikita Tenko, the thirtysomething entertainer quickly assumed royal status in international circuits for her Houdini-like ability to escape fiery car crashes and vanish from suspended cable cars. Since she captivated the North Korean president during a show in Pyongyang two years ago, the princess has received continual invitations to perform again before the Dear Leader. But those Northern vibes don't seem to agree with her constitution. Back in Pyongyang last month for an extravaganza to mark the birthday of Kim's late father,Tenko became so ill during her visit she was hospitalized, delaying her return. Her ordeal fueled wide speculation in Japanese tabloids that the sudden sickness had been a ploy to keep her in Pyongyang. Some papers recalled how Tenko was almost kidnapped last year, and was besieged by mysterious callers, one of whom insisted that that "Kim Jong II would like you to come [to Pyongyang]." The princess is mystified by her following in the North: "I don't know why I am this popular or liked by their leader." The North Koreans expect her to become "a bridge" and normalize ties between Tokyo and Pyongyang, Tenko says. She'll need a lot more than sleight-of-hand to pull off that feat. Maybe a miracle. Musical Homecoming As Miss Saigon prepares to close after a decade on Broadway, it is set to open in Manila. It would almost be like a homecoming for the marathon musical. After all, when the updated version of Madame Butterfly first opened in London, half the cast was from the Philippines, including its award-winning star, Lea Salonga. And being the patriot that she is, Salonga has announced that she will reprise her role for three months in Manila (the musical is scheduled to run for six). But lest there be any Broadway-inspired snobbery, the government has mandated the show be made accessible to locals. Tickets are projected to range between $6 and $97. No word on whether the spectacular helicopter on stage is also to be scaled down. Slap in the Face for Andy Andy Lau will have to be satisfied with his looks. Chinese authorities have banned the Canto-pop star from learning to face-change. The traditional skill, which involves slipping on and off a series of silk masks in quick succession, is unique to Sichuan opera. Fearful of a loose cannon like Lau, a cultural department official has warned against leaking "the secrets of a prized national art form." Lau had been accepted as a disciple of the master Peng Denghuai at a highly publicized tea ceremony recently. Now the teacher is under investigation for taking on his celebrity student, and will face punitive action if he continues their lessons. To avoid complications, Lau says he will stop pursuing the art form. The question is, though, how will he keep a straight face? Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com
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