After a debut at The Melbourne Magic Festival in 2022 with his show “Tall Tales with Tyler”, Tyler Sandiford is back in 2023 with his new show “The Tarot Theatre”. What will the cards hold for you? Come with me and discover more about magic, mystery and chance with Tyler.

1. Tell us about your show title…why “The Tarot Theatre”?
The full title is “Tarot Theatre: A Theatrical Take on Divination” and the reason is twofold. Firstly, this show is about the esoteric and the macabre, both words I needed to look up to ensure correct spelling. I think this title represents the essence of the show well from that perspective. Secondly, I am a fan of alliteration so all the T’s were nice. There is a soft third reason this is the show’s title, of the options that ChatGPT gave it suited the first two reasons best.

2. You’ve previously performed at the Melbourne Magic Festival with one of your exciting magic shows. Why should audiences come and see your show this year?
Last year’s show was from my perspective a great success. A passion project comes to life for the joy of all who saw it. Unfortunately, given that I’m not a full time performer the Melbourne Magic Festival is the number one place to see my acts. This year’s show is an all-new completely different show that I hope is just as much fun as the last. While it is set to be a little spooky it should still be a show for the family so long as the younger ones are okay with the lights being off and the room being dark for short periods of time.

3. Do you have a favorite magician/someone you look up to in magic (if so, who is it)?
Derren Brown and Penn & Teller. For my birthday, my wife bought me a reprint of a Derren Brown original caricature of the famous duo that hangs in our home office. Their reimagining of the craft is something that I try to imbue in my performances where possible. 

4. What are you most looking forward to at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival?
Hopefully, connecting with a ghost and letting them run the show. Let’s see what audiences think of that! 

5. Do you have a favorite tarot card? If so, what is it?
I don’t have a favorite tarot card. Their use is situational and interpretive so it doesn’t really make sense to have a favorite. Imagine that you did and when it came time to use the cards the questions that you asked meant that if you saw that card it might have a negative connotation, now you find yourself willing that “your favorite” card doesn’t come out which isn’t the right frame of mind for the reading or you with the cards. I do, however, have a favorite playing card. It’s the Nine of Diamonds because way back when, I performed a magician’s card trick whereby by the will of the spectator and not the magician’s, a selected and signed card continues to jump to the top of the deck as if connected to that person….Can you guess which card my now wife happened to select? 

Thank you Tyler for such a fascinating glimpse into the stories and thoughts behind “The Tarot Theatre”…don’t let disappointment be on your cards in the future! Book your tickets here for Tyler’s show and don’t delay!