One of the aspects I appreciate the most about the Melbourne Magic Festival is that it allows the audience to enjoy magical artists from around the world. Each year, alongside a wide assortment of local and interstate performers, the Melbourne Magic Festival includes a strong international cohort of performers from places like the United States, Argentina, Spain, France, the UK and more. This year, Calista Sinclair was one of the international performers at the festival, attending from France (though originally born and raised in Australia). Prior to this show I knew very little about Calista – aside from the fact that she won an award at FISM last year, which is like the Olympics for magicians. That added to the hype surrounding the show, which made me very excited. I have come to realise that if you see a show by a FISM winner, be prepared to have your mind warped, along with whatever pre-conceived notions you have about magic! “You Married A Witch!” was a masterpiece merging magic, poetry, theatre and human experience.

Calista Sinclair masterfully used a video (containing a first person based video diary) alongside a stage based act to convey her life experience – one that features her as a magician AND a magician’s assistant alongside some harrowing life events. Throughout the show, many audience members (including myself) dared not look away. We didn’t want to miss a second of the action, whether it be on screen or on stage. The absolute undoubtable highlight of the show was Calista’s transformation piece, which was emotional with some incredible twists. The finale had everyone gasping in disbelief – we could literally not believe our eyes! I feel like a trip to the optometrist is overdue for me haha.

All jokes aside, “You Married A Witch!” provides a valuable insight into the life and times of a fascinating performer who is both a magician and a magician’s assistant, with the latter often (literally) shoeboxed into expected roles and overlooked for their own abilities and talents (magical or otherwise). Everyone deserves to be seen and heard for their valuable abilities and contributions. Personal impact wise, at some point in each day I have thought about this show – every day since I saw it. Simply unforgettable.

VERDICT: If you only get to see one show, this is it! Impactful, insightful and magical in equal measures. Beautiful, poetic, theatrical magic – what more could you want in a show?!!

This show deserves 5 stars – sone of the best magic I’ve ever seen in my life and by far the most impactful.

Note: The 2026 Melbourne Magic has now concluded. Click here to be taken to the festival website to keep up with MMF news.