Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jo Clyne to hear more about her exciting new magic show titled “Unusual Objects”. Another mysterious show title. What exactly makes an object unusual? Read on to discover more about Jo and her show.

Describe your show in 3 words.
Whimsical, quirky and spondifferous (I put that last one in so people would look it up. Isn’t it a great word? I’m going to start using it more regularly…)

In your opinion, what makes an object unusual?
That’s a great question. I would like to answer it, but I accidentally inputted the title ‘Usual Objects’ onto my ticketing page when first advertising the show. I’m guessing that the people who booked before I fixed the typo are hoping to see a show about ‘Usual Objects’, in which case I am more than happy to share my expertise on paperclips, bottle tops and car keys.

What is the inspiration for ‘Unusual Objects?’
In my non-magician life, I am an historian specialising in museum studies. This show is basically a self-indulgent festival of stuff I like.
I’m not a big collector, but I have acquired a few ‘unusual objects’ over the years. My favourites are a medicinal nineteenth century electric shock machine, an engraved World War I sweetheart brooch, a piece of coprolite (fossilised dinosaur poo – thanks for asking), a glass eye and a five-leaf clover I found in our backyard. Basically, I like objects that help me tell stories of the weird and wonderful. This show may also ruin your childhood. When people come to my shows, they see extreme close-up illusion, but they also find out about stuff.

What is your aim for the 2022 Melbourne Magic Festival?
I think that the first time I performed in the Melbourne Magic Festival was 2011 and I try and participate every year at some level. This is the first time I’ve produced a full-length close-up show and I’m absolutely thrilled to be doing it at the Laneway Theatre which has been custom built for this type of illusion. It also appeals to me because of its secret location and because the audience has to walk through a haunted graveyard to get into the theatre. I’ve been thinking about this show for a while and it’s great to finally get it out of my head and onto a stage.

What does the Melbourne Magic Festival mean to you?
The Melbourne Magic Festival is a wonderful initiative where groups of magicians can stand around in their fancy suits, holding boxes of extremely secret stuff, without people asking why they brought their own table or mistaking them for a waiter. I’m a huge fan of this festival.

To me, this show sounds simply fascinating! If you’d like to see (and learn) more, tickets to “Unusual Objects” can be found here.

“Unusual Objects” runs from Friday July 1st to Sunday July 3rd at The Laneway Theatre in Northcote.

No tickets are required for you to find usual objects though – you can find those right outside your own front door I’m sure haha!