I was excited to sit down with father & son duo Mike and Ruben Fields to learn more about their show “The Magician Vs Juggler Show” which sounds like a fun, interactive and very competitive show….let’s just see how deep their competitiveness runs!

1. Describe your show in 3 words
Magic & Juggling Battle (okay so it’s 4 words but it’s grammatically awkward in 3 words.

2. Tell us about yourselves and your magical / juggling backgrounds.
Mike: I’ve been a fulltime magician for 12+ years. I only discovered my love for magic later in life, (more of a mid-life discovery rather than a crisis!) My favourite magic styles are performing for kids and mentalism – an odd combination. Kids have a raw unfiltered energy that recharges me, while with mentalism I love the simplicity of the performance that leaves the audience wondering if there was a trick prop / were they hypnotised or just psychological profiling? I also love escapology (escaping from things like a straitjacket) however I’m getting older and less flexible.

Ruben: I’ve been a juggler for half my life! I grew up with a magician for a Dad (Mike). I do some magic but I found juggling was my own thing. When I started, it took me a while to get good, I wasn’t a natural or anything. I started busking at Southbank and that gave the hours to grind the skills. Now I juggle larger numbers and all sorts of crazy things, but I’m not going to say what they are, as it’s part of the surprise in the show.

3. Who do you think is more entertaining – a magician or a juggler (or is that what your show sets out to find)?
A pizza can be gourmet or inedible, depending on the chef. Entertainers are much the same. Both of us are experienced comedic performers and there are loads of laughs throughout the show. What we are doing in each round is showcasing different styles and equipment in our magic and juggling, so the audience gets to see a variety of genres and skills. The audience votes at each round which is best, and we have no idea which they will choose.

4. Why should audiences come and see your show at the Melbourne Magic Festival this year?
Rather than a show aimed at little kids, or card magic, or whatever specific genre the performer chose, this show is truly for all ages. By covering a variety of magic and juggling styles you get the best of many genres all in fun packed show. It’s paced snappy to hold the young ones attention and plenty of skills and clean comedy to engage the parents. It’s a brilliant show for the whole family. Also, we only have 1 show this year, on July 4^th.

5. What are you most looking forward to at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival?
Mike: I’m looking forward to catching up with the magic community in Melbourne again. I performed in the 2017 Melbourne Magic Festival with my “Wanderful Show” and made some great friends. This will be the first chance I have to catch up with many of them since then.

Ruben: It’s funny, more Melbourne magicians know me than Dad (Mike). They know me from busking, even though I’m a juggler. It’s been a few years and I’ve grown a lot since they have seen me, so I will probably get a lot of “Gee you grew up!” comments.

“The Magician Vs Juggler Show” …which entertainer (and genre) will win?! Seems like the audience will decide so you’ll just have to come along to the show and find out! There’s only one chance to see this show, so book here!