Professional Magician, Escape Artist & Sideshow Performer
Li Lau, better known by his stage name One Crazy China, is an internationally acclaimed South African escape artist, magician and theatrical sideshow performer, widely regarded as one of the country's foremost specialists in the art of escapology.
With a career spanning live theatre, television and international performance, Li has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of modern escape artistry and creating spectacular experiences that combine suspense, storytelling, illusion and theatrical spectacle.
His achievements include appearances on Britain's Got Talent and Got Talent: All-Stars, bringing his unique brand of escapology to global television audiences. He is also a Penn & Teller: Fool Us winner, having successfully fooled the legendary magic duo on their internationally acclaimed television series.
A world-record holder and two-time National Arts Festival Ovation Award winner, Li's work has been recognised for its originality, innovation and theatrical impact. His performances have captivated audiences in South Africa and internationally, establishing him as a distinctive voice in modern escapology and one of the few South African performers to achieve significant international recognition in this specialised art form.
A lifelong fan of comics, film and television, Li has always been fascinated by heroes and characters who overcome seemingly impossible situations through courage, ingenuity and creative thinking. This fascination, combined with his passion for the history of escapology, ultimately inspired him to pursue a career dedicated to the art of escape.
Today, Li is passionate about sharing the history and evolution of escapology and inspiring audiences to embrace imagination, resilience and creative problem-solving. For Li, escapology is about far more than escaping from restraints—it is about refusing to accept that an impossible situation has no solution.
Long before I became a professional escape artist, I was fascinated by characters in popular culture who could overcome seemingly impossible situations through courage, ingenuity and creative thinking. My love of comic books introduced me to Batman and, in particular, Mister Miracle—the legendary escape artist of the DC Universe. Television shows such as MacGyver and The A-Team, along with films such as Young Houdini, further fuelled my fascination with clever escapes and extraordinary feats of ingenuity. But where does fiction end and reality begin? In this entertaining and highly interactive session, internationally acclaimed escape artist Li Lau explores the fascinating world of escapology and the powerful influence popular culture has had on our perception of the escape artist. From the legendary Harry Houdini to the fictional heroes who inspired generations, we'll explore how comics, television and film have shaped our fascination with impossible escapes—and how those fictional stories can inspire real people to pursue extraordinary things. Through personal stories, live demonstrations and audience participation, Li will share the history and evolution of escapology, while revealing how the characters and stories he encountered growing up ultimately inspired him to make escape artistry his profession. This is not a lecture about magic secrets. It is a celebration of imagination, creativity, resilience and problem-solving, demonstrating that the greatest escape artists—whether fictional or real—share one essential quality: they refuse to believe that an impossible situation has no solution. For fans of comics, movies, television, magic, superheroes and the impossible, this is a journey from the world of popular culture into the real-world art of escapology.
Abracadabra! South Africa's very own magician extraordinaire, Li Lau—better known as One Crazy China—is bringing the wonder to the KidsCon Stage for one special day only! Fresh off appearances on Britain's Got Talent and Got Talent: All-Stars, and a winner of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, this world-record holder is ready to amaze audiences with jaw-dropping magic that kids can actually learn and perform themselves. In this fun, interactive workshop, Li will reveal a collection of incredible magic tricks that are easy to master but guaranteed to impress friends and family. From sleight-of-hand to mind-bending illusions, young magicians will leave with new skills, plenty of confidence, and a few impossible surprises up their sleeves. Packed with laughter, audience participation, and unforgettable moments, this is the perfect experience for aspiring magicians aged 5 to 105. One day. One workshop. One chance to learn from one of South Africa's most celebrated magicians. Come for the tricks, stay for the wonder!
