Tay Around Town

Nestled within the trendy Melbourne suburb of Northcote lies The Laneway Theatre – an intimate theatre seating 32 audience members with a location so secretive that each ticket comes with directions of where to find it! In the interests of full disclosure I have attended numerous shows at The Laneway Theatre, however be assured that each have been thoroughly amazing, thrilling and magic in their own way. The recent matinee performance of Tim Ellis’ current show “Clearly Impossible: Tales from The Laneway Theatre” continued this trend. For those unaware, Tim Ellis is synonymous with magic in the fair city of Melbourne. Tim has been making magic in Melbourne (and all over the world) for over 40 years, is Director of The Melbourne Magic Festival, and owns as well as performs in The Laneway Theatre. I have seen Tim perform many magic shows, but there’s something special about his shows at The Laneway Theatre that excite and tempt me back for more magic!

The Laneway Theatre itself is full of corners of magic curios, from intriguing art pieces, awards and certificates to props – a hot tip is to visit the toilet while you’re there as even that isn’t left out of the ‘otherworldly’ theming (as bizarre as that sounds!) Prior to the show, Tim invites audience members to look around the space, including the interesting stage setup – in this case, clear glass table, with a drinking glass, coaster and deck of cards on top. Tim commences “Clearly Impossible: Tales from The Laneway Theatre” (which I’ll abbreviate here to “Clearly Impossible”) with some amazing pieces of coin and card magic using the glass table, much to the delight and audible gasps of his audience. A weekend matinee crowd usually includes children (in this case, recommended for ages 10+) and this show was no exception, with Tim engaging in some friendly banter and ‘pick a card’ style prompts with an eager young magic fan in the front row, prompting rounds of applause and laughter from the audience. For those interested in audience participation, this show delivers in spades. As always, Tim is respectful to those not wanting to join him on stage and all on stage audience interactions with audience members are done with consent and in good spirits (there are no uncomfortable jokes or forced participation). I’m hesitant to reveal the exact magical nature of my “Clearly Impossible” adventure, however I can mention that there were some eerie predictions, a signed card or two (including by yours truly, which made me thrilled!) and more than a hat full of fun was had by all. There was much laughter, and also gasps of disbelief amongst all the comedy. I found “Clearly Impossible” to be so captivating that I scarcely took any photos during the latter portion of the show, being too enthralled by Tim’s magic to be bothering with my phone’s camera.

“Clearly Impossible” delivers amazing magic and captivating stories. The storytelling is one of my favourite aspects of this show, making it all the more memorable but possibly also my favourite Laneway Theatre show by Tim Ellis to date – a big call, I know but I stand by it. It’s hard to go past world class magic that is set to some truly quirky yet addictive stories – once you’ve heard one, you’ll want to hear them all! The setup of “Clearly Impossible” echoes those old ‘choose your own adventure’ type stories so who knows which assortment of trickery and tales you might discover when you come along and enjoy “Clearly Impossible” – clearly entertaining, clearly captivating magic. If you haven’t visited The Laneway Theatre yet, it is definitely a ‘must-do’ on your list – whether you’re a local, looking for a fun evening that’s out of the ordinary or wanting to impress family and friends. I can’t recommend The Laneway Theatre enough!

HOT TIP: try your best to get to The Laneway Theatre EARLY so you’re free to explore the wonderful magical theatre space, it really adds to the experience (plus latecomers can sometimes get locked out!) Also, keep an eye out for matinee shows – while not always guaranteed for each show run, they’re perfect for parents with children / younger children, those who don’t want to be out late or even those who DO have other events to attend later at night. Matinees are truly suitable for all!

Sadly, there are only limited shows remaining in the current run of “Clearly Impossible: Tales from The Laneway Theatre”. I hope this show (or ‘choose your own adventure’ types shows like it) return again soon. Check out the remaining run of “Clearly Impossible” here. For more information about The Laneway Theatre, click here.

*Disclaimer: I attended this performance as a guest of The Laneway Theatre.

Hello friends and readers! Just thought I’d post here as I’m aiming to slowly return to reviewing live entertainment again. I’m very excited to recommence writing, and have recently had a five star experience at a magic show that I can’t wait to share with you all. Logistically / life planning wise it can still sometimes be a challenge to get out and about. In light of this, my current review capacity is still very low so please do not bombard me with requests.

If you do wish to make contact or enquire about the possibility of a review, please send a message to the Tay Around Town facebook page, as my original reviewer email address in unmonitored. Thank you.

Hello entertainment fans and readers! Just wanted to let you all know that Tay Around Town won’t be continuing for the time being. I’ve had a lot of personal challenges over the past year and sadly can’t commit to reviewing shows like I used to. I’ll keep the actual blog running for personal writing but I’ll be removing the contact page and the contact email address will become inactive.

Thanks to all the producers and performers that contacted me over the years to invite me to review shows; I’ve had some great memories from many of the shows I’ve reviewed and have gone on some wonderful adventures via your creativity. You all do a great service to the world, especially when times get bleak / dark / grey.

Thanks to the readers who’ve shared my posts and articles and who’ve given me support; it’s all greatly appreciated. The hours that have gone into this blog are indeed numerous.

Broadly, I’m ok but I feel like I’ve been the universe’s whipping boy (pardon the pun) over the last year and it’s time to let some things go. Seasons of change and all that.

Time for me to cocoon myself away and hopefully emerge as some beautiful butterfly (and not mothra / a winged nightmare!)

Look after yourselves and each other. Sending you all love, Tay.

Hello readers and live entertainment fans! You may notice that things have been a bit quiet on the blog since July…yes, I do still have reviews from the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival to publish on here (many of which are in draft format). I still intend to post those reviews on here, however in terms of any ‘new’ reviews / reviews for upcoming shows, I’ve made the decision to place Tay Around Town on hiatus until early 2024.

The main reason for this is that there have been several deaths in my extended family over the last few months which have prompted me to focus on my mental health.

Placing this blog on hiatus is not a decision I take lightly and it disappoints me to miss out on some fantastic shows that are coming up during the Melbourne Fringe Festival (among runs of other independent theatre shows).

I thank the producers who have reached out to me recently for opportunities to review and wish them all fantastic upcoming show runs. I hope I’ll be considered to review their future show runs.

Cheers, Tay

Aiden Schofield has been taking his magic show all around Australia, and returns to the Melbourne Magic Festival in 2023 with a 5 show run. I sat down with Aiden to find out more about his self titled show “Aiden Schofield: MAGICIAN”.

1. Your show is titled “Aiden Schofield: MAGICIAN”….within a festival of magicians, what makes you
   and your show different?
   Honesty, I don’t know what makes me different… I’m a bit of a quirky performer, and I like to have fun on stage and create a fun show for people to watch. I guess the type of magic I do is different compared to other magicians. I specifically decided to have no card tricks in this show or tricks that I have seen other magicians perform, that way I can keep the show full of surprises. Plus, the material is just fun for me to perform, and also feels like real magic (manipulating bubbles, predicting the future, and levitating objects).
   
   The show: I take a lot of inspiration from concerts. From Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa. The way I’ve structured my show is based more on concerts I’ve seen rather than other magic shows. I’ve also taken a theatrical approach to the way the magic is presented.
   Fun Fact: The name of the show is actually a reference to Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is the reason I first got interested in the entertainment industry as a whole. I styled the word ‘MAGICIAN’ in capitals, as a reference to his 1996 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.
   
2. Why should audiences come and see your show this year?
   A good reason to see my show is if you missed out last year, definitely make time to come see it this time around! The show has grown quite a bit since last year and has grown into something I’m super happy with. I’ve added even more magic into the current routines – more magic, more music, more fun. There’s a lot of visual magic and I feel like it’s a great middle ground show (not close-up magic, not big grand illusions) and it’s perfect for all ages. There is no theme / story / message to this show, just people seeing impossible things, which is pretty cool.
   
   I’ve tried my best to make it a fun and interactive experience with a variety of magic for everyone to enjoy. In the show audiences will witness magic performed with bubbles, sand, Rubik’s Cubes and many other curious objects.

3. Is there anything new / exciting that you’ve been working on recently?
   Yes, I’ve been working on a lot of things lately. This year I completed ‘Trick a Day May’, which is where you upload a video performing a completely different magic trick to your social media profile/s every single day for the month of May. (Find mine on Instagram @ascho51 or Facebook and YouTube @AidenSchofieldMagic).
   
   Couple of other things I’m working on are: adding more magic into the show and expanding current routines to make them more magical. The other is I mentioned before about taking a theatrical approach to the show – little things to try and make the show more professional: lighting cues, music and sound effects, transitions and set design etc.
   
4. I hear you have been on tour (of sorts) for the past year or so…any highlights / memorable
   moments that you can share?
   So far, I’ve performed small batches of shows at festivals around Australia. I’ve performed the show in Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Queensland and Melbourne, but I’m excited to take it around the rest of the country and the world.
   
   Highlights from taking my show to different cities include travelling to new places, visiting different theme parks (my favourite), and also getting to see and meet other magicians.
   Honorable mention: I showed a group of adults some close-up magic when I was in Perth, and at the
   climax of the trick (the big reveal) one of them started jumping up and down, squealing out of disbelief. That was fun! (If you want to know which trick this was, you’ll just have to come and see my show!)
   
5. What are you looking forward to the most at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival?
   I’m excited to be performing this show at the Melbourne Magic Festival again this year. Last year I performed one show only and now I’m back for a run of five shows playing nightly at The MC Showroom!
   
   I’ll be checking out (theme park) Gumbuya World for the first time. I love theme parks and they’ve recently opened Project Zero which was formally known as the Buzzsaw from my home park Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. I’m also looking forward to performing little segments in both gala shows (close up and stage) and the Open Mic Night at Storyville.
   
   If you’re interested in catching Aiden’s show then this year is your best chance! Get your tickets here.

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Dane Certificate is a surreal character, a performer who appears briefly at the Melbourne Magic Festival and then disappears just as fast! An entertaining enigma, but someone to watch closely and revel in the surreal magic within his shows. I sat down with Dane to discuss his latest magic show “The Sun and The Moon”

1. Describe your show in 3 words: Hand made magic.

2. Tell us more about your show title of ‘The Sun and the Moon’
I’ve always wondered why you don’t usually see the sun and the moon in the sky at the same time. I might see them together once in a while but it’s usually the sun OR the moon. 

3. You’ve previously visited the Melbourne Magic Festival with one of your exciting magic shows. Why should audiences come and see your show this year?
A number of original scores have been created to accompany my magic. Everything has a particular sound to it. Like my previous MMF show, The Sun and the Moon is about expression. The show is an expression of the audience..whether they’re there or not.

4. You’ve recently had a tour of Japan (so jealous!!!) Do you have a magical highlight / fave memory that you can share?
Every day in Japan was magical. The places I visited. The people I met. It’s a place where I didn’t have to look for inspiration, inspiration found me. The highlight was having over 200 people sign a playing card during my trip and they magically stayed on the ceilings of bars and restaurants across Japan.

5. What are you most looking forward to at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival?
I’m looking forward to catching up with fellow magicians and seeing their magic. My show is compact (in terms of props) this year so I’m looking forward to a smaller setup for small crowds. 

To discover for yourself why Dane’s shows are often the talk of the Melbourne Magic Festival, book your tickets to “The Sun and The Moon” here.

Anthony DeMasi’s name is synonymous with magic in Melbourne. Having performed many times previously at the Melbourne Magic Festival, but also a slew of festivals across the city over the course of many years I’d be surprised if a magic fan in Melbourne hasn’t seen Anthony perform yet! Anthony also performs as his alter ego, eccentric but affable magician Luigi Zucchini who has a great sense of humour and a certain hilarity to his magic.

1. You have 2 shows during the Melbourne Magic Festival this year: “Chief Wizard” and “Luigi Zucchini’s MEGA magic show”. Describe each show in 3 words. 

Chief Wizard –   ENCHANTING, LIGHT HEARTED, INSPIRING

Luigi –  FUNNY,  SPELLBINDING , CAPTIVATING

2. You’ve previously performed at many past Melbourne Magic Festivals. Why should audiences / young people come and see your shows this year?  It’s been many years since Luigi has performed his show at the festival. 
Luigi possess a remarkable stage presence, commanding attention with his charismatic personality. Luigi’s mega magic show will be a feast of visual magic and you will have a belly full of laughs. You will leave the show feeling happy and your day will be filled with wonder.

3. Anthony: What qualities make you a chief wizard? Luigi: what makes your show MEGA? 

Anthony: I am the founder of the Magic School of Confidence and over the last 10 years I have mentored and trained many of Australia’s best magicians.  As chief wizard of the magic school I share my experience of performing magic for 28 years but I am constantly learning from my magical students.

Luigi is well known for his BIG magic shows. His show at the Magic Festival will be MEGA, BIGGER and BETTER than ever! The Mega magic show will boast an impressive repertoire of tricks ensuring you will be on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

4. Many magicians have “magic words” that they say in order to make magic….do you have any magic words? If so, what are they?
Luigi’s favourite magic word is “ Spaghetti Spaghetti”. If you go and see his Mega Magic show  you will learn how Luigi discovered this magical word.

5. Do you have a favourite magician / someone you look up to in magic (if so, who is it)? 
The Magician I look up to is my late mentor Chuck Fayne.  He was one of the most inspiring & interesting people I have ever met in my life. Not only was he an amazing storyteller and comedy magician, he was one of the most entertaining people I have ever watched. He lived an extraordinary life doing lots of interesting things. He taught me lots about life, people and the magic world.

Anthony’s show are so popular that his “Chief Wizard” show has already sold out its show run. Tickets for Luigi Zucchini’s MEGA Magic show are available here.

The Great Armando has visited The Melbourne Magic Festival many times previously, always with his top hat and iconic Italian flair and penchant for storytelling. The Great Armando’s next adventure this year is called “Magia! Magia!”. Learn more about this show and The Great Armando’s influences below!

1. Tell us more about your show title … why the repetition and what’s the meaning behind it?
Ah, bellissimo! The title of my show, “Magia Magia”, has a truly special meaning. During one of my performances, I invited the audience to choose a magic word and a young child who was learning Italian, eagerly shouted out “Magia!” which means, well, magic in Italian.

Magic is a universal language that transcends culture and speech. It has the power to ignite wonder and create connections that go beyond words. By repeating the word “Magia” I add a touch of whimsy, a sprinkle of excitement that sets the stage for the enchanting world of magic I will create for my audience.

2. You’ve performed at many previous Melbourne Magic Festivals. Why should audiences come and see your show this year?
I’ve had the pleasure of performing at the Melbourne Magic Festival for many years, and each time I try to bring something new and special.

I’ve been working on brand, new magic that bridges the gap between children and parents, to offer a fulfilling experience for the whole family. I think that “Magia Magia” is truly a show for the whole family, where each interaction can be enjoyed at any age.

My show is a magical journey that combines the art of illusion, comedy and audience participation, all with an Italian twist. “Magia Magia” is more than just a show; it’s an opportunity for families to come together where the audience is an integral part of the show.

3. What are you most looking forward to at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival?
I’m mostly looking forward to the sense of wonder and astonishment that permeates the festival. It’s a gathering of some of the finest magicians from Australia (and the world), showcasing their incredible skills and bringing smiles to the faces of audiences. The opportunity to connect with fellow magicians, exchange ideas and witness their amazing performances is something I cherish. But most of all, I’m eager to see the wide-eyed expressions and hear the laughter of the children as they experience the magic firsthand. Their pure amazement fuels my passion for what I do, and it’s a feeling I look forward to embracing once again.

4. Do you have a favourite card? If so, what is it?
Cards have an incredible history and meaning, spanning from superstition to numerology. If I had to choose a favourite, it would be the Five of Hearts.
Hearts symbolise love and passion, and the number 5 suggests a sense of adventure. When combined, the Five of Hearts can symbolise growth and harmony, and that is my take on magic – that perfect balance between fun and astonishment, and passion and tradition. It’s a card that holds a special place in my magical repertoire, both for its meaning and because it is aesthetically pleasing.

5. Do you have a particular favourite memory of performing at past Melbourne Magic Festivals?
There are so many wonderful memories from past Melbourne Magic Festivals that choosing just one is a delightful challenge. Each year, I eagerly anticipate these two weeks of pure magic. The Australian magic community is like a big, joyful family – a group of friends coming together to celebrate the art we all love.

However, if I must select a favourite memory, let me take you back to last year when I had the great honour of performing at Magic Sports, which is magic improv. I must confess, I felt a touch of apprehension sharing the stage with such talented magicians, especially considering English is not my native language. Improvising in another language can present its own unique challenges.

It turned out to be an amazing evening. The audience loved it and I walked away with a new magic trick I will be performing this year, the incredible mindreading flamingo!

This year, more than ever, The Melbourne Magic Festival presents a great chance for families to come together and enjoy a day out and experience the wonder of magic. “Magia! Magia!” certainly seems to fit the bill – grab those tickets here before they disappear!

Pierre Ulric has previous performed at the Melbourne Magic Festival, however it has been quite some time between festival visits! I’m sure Pierre has plenty of new magic and experiences to share with us all. Pierre’s also looking forward to catching up with new friends (and old) in Melbourne and I’m sure many are keen to see his new show “Gonzo Magic”. What’s with the curious title you ask? Well read on as we discover more…

1. Describe your show in 3 words: Gonzo. Gonzo. Gonzo. 

2. Tell us more about your show title of “Gonzo Magic“
As the following definition applies to a magical performance: 
Gonzo / Adjective, slang

1) relating to or denoting an exaggerated, subjective and fictionalized style.
2) bizarre or crazy

3. You’ve previously visited the Melbourne Magic Festival with one of your exciting magic shows. Why should audiences come and see your show this year?
After a lengthy absence (6 years?) I’m finally coming back to Melbourne to share what I’ve been learning about the magical arts, mainly about character development and technical improvements, all of which I will be giving back as part of the show. 

4. What are you most looking forward to at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival?
Performing in this great city. Catching up with old magic friends. Jamming. Getting inspired. Making new friends.

Don’t miss out on your tickets to one of the more curiously titled magic shows at the Melbourne Magic Festival this year! Book here.

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