For the 2019 Melbourne Magic Festival, a new show concept of ‘Secret Showcases’ was introduced. These showcases are in a theatre with limited seating and each show occurs only once – making these special shows exclusive and fleeting. One such show was “The World Awaits You” performed by Lachlan Wilde.

This show was so enjoyable and a real treat to watch. The audience even had the chance to do their own collective card trick which was very fun to be a part of and enhanced the concept that we were all on this journey together in the same moment. Some pieces of card magic were quite impactful, with rich storylines and I enjoyed Lachlan’s use of silence and tension in other moments. Lachlan himself looked like he was enjoying sharing his magic with the audience and watching our reactions, which is always a good to see. Lachlan’s a talented, confident performer and is kind to his audiences so he’s definitely one to watch.

VERDICT: The world indeed awaits all of us and a fun night out awaits you if you attend a magic show by Lachlan Wilde.

*Disclaimer: I attended this show as a guest of the festival

This show run has now ended however Lachlan has a NEW magic show called “The (un)Comscious Mind” appearing for a few nights next week at new MMF hub The MC Showroom in Prahran. Ticket and details: https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2019/the-un-conscious-mind/melbourne/prahran

 One thing I love about the Melbourne Magic Festival is the wide array of styles and interpretations of magic that are presented. Prior to watching “The Quizzical Mr Jeff” I’d heard nothing but praise and wonderful comments so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about!

On stage, Mr Jeff had an eclectic assortment of curious props: a globe of the world; a fancy hat stand (with fancy hats) and other items shrouded in mystery. Upbeat Euoropean style cabaret music was playing on entry to set the mood of the show, and made for a whimsical soundtrack. Mr Jeff himself is quite dashing and debonair and throughout the show you will find out exactly how talented he is too! Whilst many of the aspects of this show are circus based, much of it is magical – Mr Jeff balances things that look like they shouldn’t be balanced, and in other portions of the show various items are levitated in superb ways. Mr Jeff himself is silent most of the time during his show, save for some cries / prompts for the audience to make some noise. It’s so fun to be in the audience for this show as each response to Mr Jeff makes you feel like part of the story and magic too.

Show highlights for me are Mr Jeff’s contact juggling of clear spheres (Labyrinth movie fans eat your heart out!!) – this portion of the show was sublime and I was completely transfixed (as were other members of the audience). Another highlight was possibly the largest latex balloon I’ve ever seen on stage (a six foot tall balloon)! What Mr Jeff does with that balloon needs to be seen to be believed!!!! It was incredible, heartfelt and exciting all at once – the screams and cheers of the crowd were testament to that.

Mr Jeff has put an immense amount of skill and effort into each performance. I left the theatre feeling inspired and like I’d been to another world. I honestly can’t recommend this show enough – it’s unmissable!

VERDICT: A thoroughly entertaining show and impressive show from start to finish. Let Mr Jeff be your guide on a wonderous journey of circus and magical delights. This has been the best daytime show I’ve seen so far in the festival so I recommend all to see it, it’s a perfect show for the family to enjoy together!

*Disclaimer: I attended this performance as a guest of the festival

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2019/the-quizzical-mr-jeff/melbourne/collingwood

I was very excited to attend this daytime magic show for children and families as I don’t often get to see magic shows for children. Amazing Danny must be popular as the theatre was full of very enthusiastic children and their families eagerly awaiting the magic show to begin. Amazing Danny promptly appeared on stage to tell the audience that his regular assistant was unavailable and his tweenage son Hayden was appearing in that role- somewhat reluctantly! This (deliberate) storyline enhanced the show, especially with Hayden’s take on humour and some fun facial expressions when he assisted Amazing Danny in his magic. The dynamic between the two switches in the show – from father / son bonding to some playful taunting to slightly antagonistic (in a good natured way!)

This is a MEGA magic show in that Amazing Danny constantly has pieces of magic to show the audience – some classics of magic are represented plus plenty of fun lighthearted magic to suit the whole family. Judging by the vigour and volume of the responses from the audience, they were having an awesome time throughout the whole show! There were even some squeals of surprise and delight, especially when Amazing Danny’s animal friends were introduced. Audience participation is a must in family magic shows, and Amazing Danny’s show is no exception – with each volunteer receiving a special prize for their efforts on stage. The *ahem* older members of the audience will likely enjoy Amazing Danny’s music choices with some great 90’s dance hits included in some sections (accompanied with some sweet dance moves from Hayden).

VERDICT: a fun, energetic and lighthearted show for the whole family to enjoy.

*Disclaimer: I attended this performance as a guest of the Melbourne Magic Festival

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2019/amazing-dannys-mega-magic-show/melbourne/collingwood

  Dom Chambers stars in “RanDom” and if you think his name seems familiar, you may have seen his famous beer magic routine on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” or even on “America’s Got Talent”. Truly, no one does beer magic like Dom Chambers can so if you’re keen to see that in real time (rather than a screen) then this show is the one for you (beer skolling included)!

I have seen previous iterations of this show over the years, but this one is the best yet – it’s more streamlined and has undergone some enhancements, making it quite the spectacle. Much of the magic is impactful, modern (or with modern themes) and some of it seems a little dangerous (which adds to the excitement)! There were moments during the show when the audience gasped with surprise (and relief and delight)! Comedy plays a great part in this show, especially when Dom introduces a special guest to the audience – that segment of the show had me in hysterics, and I had to cover my mouth to muffle my (way too loud) laughter! The audience all had a fantastic time, cheering and applauding all the way through. I’m hesitant to describe more about this show here, however I encourage you to see it because I’d be highly surprised if anyone didn’t enjoy the show – it is just that great.

VERDICT: Dom works hard for his audience, and it shows. If you’re not sure what to see during the Melbourne Magic Festival, then this show is a great chance for a night you’ll remember long after the festival has gone.

*Disclaimer: I attended this show as a guest of the Melbourne Magic Festival

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2019/random/melbourne/collingwood

 Firstly, I need to state how impressive and well presented (and performed) this show was. Comprised of three magicians under the age of 21 – Josh Staley, Prue Spencer and Zeke Butterworth – all former Australian Junior Champions of magic. The show featured acts involving all three performers, plus individual pieces of magic. It was a true shame this was a special “one night only” performance as the show was a delightful evening of magic.

You may think with such young performers that the show may contain “basic” magic or that it wouldn’t be interactive, but you would be very wrong in this case! Many audience volunteers were chosen to help out in fun ways throughout the show, which kept the energy of the room high. Each performer had their own humour style and distinct personality which added to their magical flair. In terms of the magic performed, I won’t spoil too much but there were plenty of surprising moments and even some mysterious predictions in the mix. The audience was even treated to a very magical “product launch” which was intriguing.

Talented beyond their years, if you ever have the chance to see Josh Staley, Prue Spencer or Zeke Butterworth perform please do – it’s clear that the future of magic is in safe hands with these performers.

VERDICT: a highly enjoyable magic show, suitable for families. Keep an eye out for the future of magic as they are certainly the ones to watch!

*Disclaimer: I attended this show as a guest of the Melbourne Magic Festival

 This is Lucy Darling’s third Melbourne Magic Festival season in a row (yes, we are that lucky!) and this show absolutely does not disappoint! Whether you have been fortunate to cross paths with Lucy Darling (performed by Carisa Hendrix) before, or if this year will be your first encounter with Lucy Darling let me tell you – her show and talents are simply unforgettable.

The Monday night crowd had drinks in hand (or had consumed drinks) ready for a fun show and the audience appeared to be a perfect mix of those familiar with Lucy plus a healthy amount of newer attendees. Lucy Darling’s shows just keep getting better and better (this year is no exception) and I was ever so pleased to see that she’s lost none of her wit and sassy remarks.

“Indulgence” sums up the whole show and experience. Attending with my partner (and some friends) and sitting in front row, we had the best night out we’ve had in ages. We giggled and snorted with laughter, followed Lucy along in her games and marvelled at her wonderful magic. Each time I see Lucy Darling’s shows I become even more enchanted – as does her audience, I’m sure. She has a supreme stage presence and personality, which the audience just revel in. Despite a ‘larger than life’ personality, Lucy (Carisa) is careful to have this aspect not diminish the magic and storytelling. Everything in this show is within perfect harmony. Those who have seen Lucy before will recognise some elements of her show, however (as always) there’s always something new happening in Lucy’s world that she can’t wait to show you!

A divine mix of magic, storytelling and cabaret, Lucy Darling’s show is a hard show to beat. Even if you see her show just once, the memory and spirit of Lucy Darling endures. If by chance you HAVEN’T seen the utterly delightful Lucy Darling then what are you waiting for?!!!

VERDICT: Why are you still reading? Book your tickets NOW as she’s only in town for an extremely limited run of shows!!! https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/lucy-darling-indulgence

Ticketing information: https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/lucy-darling-indulgence

 I must admit that I’d heard of Handsome Jack (performed by John Lovick) – an award winning magician from the USA – but had no idea what to expect when I saw his Melbourne Magic Festival show at The Butterfly Club. Gosh, the audience and I were in for such a delight! Suave, stylish and sublime magic are the order of the evening when Handsome Jack is in town. Handsome Jack appears as part male model, part secret agent and magical all over.

Well presented yet relaxed and having a strong rapport with the audience, Handsome Jack had the audience in the palm of his hand with his magical miracles and dry humour throughout his show. It’s easy to find him charming, and many of his routines elicited laughs and giggles from the audience. He’s cheeky without being lewd, and any helpers from the audience (who largely stay in their seats – as the stage is Handsome Jack’s domain) are treated well.

The Handsome Jack Experience (and what an experience it was!) is a well presented magic show with classic magic mixed in with pieces you’ve likely never seen before, accompanied by some fascinating stories – all in Handsome Jack’s very soothing (and a bit dreamy) voice. Handsome Jack provides a delightful evening of magic for all and is only here for a very limited time so see him while you still can.

VERDICT: They say “Handsome is as handsome does” and Handsome Jack does it all so well! Highly recommended for a fun evening of magical delights.

Tickets and further information:
https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/the-handsome-jack-experience

I’m excited to announce that (once again) I’ll be spending some time at the upcoming annual Melbourne Magic Festival – running from June 30th until July 13th- and reviewing shows for you!

If you haven’t attended a Melbourne Magic Festival before, I highly recommend attending  – there are shows for adults, families and children and magic / circus workshops for children too! There are international magicians, and a wide assortments of magicians from across Victoria and Australia. You never know who you might bump into or what’s around each corner every time you visit the festival. It’s like one of those ‘choose your own adventure’ stories, with different surprises and experiences each day.

Every year, the festival gets bigger and better and this year, has expanded across two hubs – The Spiegeltent within Circus OZ in Collingwood and The MC Showroom in trendy Prahran. Double the hubs, double your chances to discover magical delights!

Tickets are already flying away, so why not check out some festival resources:

Website: https://melbournemagicfestival.com/

Ticketing information: https://melbournemagicfestival.com/buy-tickets/

https://www.eventfinda.com.au/tour/2019/melbourne-magic-festival-2019

Facebook page (with news and chances to win tickets!): https://www.facebook.com/MelbourneMagicFestival/

  First of all, let me say how privileged I felt to have seen this production in my home town of Melbourne! I never thought that this theatrical production (so much more than just a ‘play’) would have a base in Australia  – let alone my home city.  Secondly, it needs to be mentioned that there are no spoilers within this review (#keepthesecrets) so if you haven’t had the chance to witness the spectacle that is “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1 and 2)” you’re safe to read on and enjoy. Before I get on with the brief review, I feel I need to frame the approach to the story and production.

I’m definitely a ‘Harry Potter nerd’ (Slytherin house, represent!) – aside from my full Hogwarts robe outfit, I almost have enough Harry Potter franchise branded clothing to kit out a Quidditch team; I’ve visited 2 out of the 3 global locations of ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ (located in Universal Studios theme parks in select locations); and I’ve read each of the original Harry Potter books several times over. It’s no secret however that I wasn’t a huge fan of the book “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” when it was released. I won’t go into detail on why – though most hardcore Harry Potter fans will be aware of the reasoning – however that did not diminish my enthusiasm and curiosity for the stage play. When tickets were released, I was in the very long queue to buy!

Split into 2 parts spanning 5 hours in total, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1 and 2)” is a theatrical journey into another world as much as it is a masterpiece in itself. The theatre is well themed, with care taken in many elements to enhance the story. The choreography and staging of the show is seamless, as are the transitions to intervals and between parts. Actors playing the characters have done an incredible job portraying characters that are beloved the world over, with their mannerisms, dialogue and vocal talents making the characters so genuine and believable. Clever use of the stage and props along with some poignant metaphors create a rich tapestry of the story. There are references back to base texts and knowledge – nice reminders for those who’ve read the book/s and good for those less familiar with the franchise.

Those looking for theatrics will not be disappointed! Once you see the production (with a substantial price tag for tickets) it will become apparent where the ticket money goes. I’m not going to say anymore on this front, lest I say too much. Loaded with surprises to make any hardened or skeptical fan gasp with glee, I cannot recommend this production enough! The entire production completely surpassed my expectations, and I’ll be devastated if I don’t get the chance to see it again before it leaves town. Simply put, there are some scenes and moments in the story that will stay with you long after you’ve seen the show.

VERDICT: Better than an everlasting gobstopper and more exciting than a trip to Hogsmeade, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1 and 2)” will leave you transfixed and impressed. Accio tickets and broom to the hottest show in town!

Tickets and more information:
https://harrypotter.ticketmaster.com.au/both-consecutive/calendar/2019/06

On a Saturday night at popular vaudeville venue Speakeasy HQ, I was delighted and excited to witness “Harem of the Goddess – An Offering to the Divine (Verse 3)”. Billed as a show featuring ritual, dance, burlesque, fire and shibari, I knew a fascinating adventure was about to unfold for the audience. The evening was auspicious and was to contain many surprises as I ended up meeting a kindred spirit to enjoy the show with! Upon arrival at the theatre, the scene was set with mysterious chanting music (which was haunting at times) along with a magickal alter set up on stage, surrounded by a circle of salt.

The host for the evening is Piro – a mysterious looking guide for the audience, who prepares us for what is to come and sets down some ground rules. As this is a show that features nudity / partial nudity, I do not have any photos to accompany this review – you’ll just have to use your imagination!

As an audience member, be prepared to be a part of the show and indeed drawn into it. The first part of the show is in fact a ritual led by Jackyl  – The Pharaoh’s only daughter – and also features a trio of performers, welcoming the audience and casting the sacred circle. Whether the circle of salt keeps the good energy in and keeps the bad spirits out (or both!) I was drawn in by the ritual and could feel energy radiating throughout the theatre. Prepare to be reborn into a time where ritual is everything. I have a feeling that this event and ritual gives us all what we need in our own different ways. Throughout the night I felt the audience was truly in Jackyl’s domain. Masterful, powerful and elegant at times – all eyes are on Jackyl whenever she enters the room.

Elina Skye appeared on stage with a punk style burlesque routine which I thoroughly enjoyed. Playfully teasing the audience and showing off some athleticism, I felt the room heat up with seduction and emotion. Multi talented dancer Victoria Wolf was up next with a dance piece featuring a ball gag (in place for the entirety of the routine) worn whilst dancing and contorting herself into all kinds of shapes – a testament to her stamina! Whether she was bound by pleasure or pain, the audience was lapping up every move.

After a brief interval, Piro asked the audience to close our eyes and imagine we were in ancient, imperial Japan – for the next act was a display of shibari: the binding and suspension of a person – a bondage art. Von Riga spent time meticulously preparing and checking the ropes that bound Babydoll (who looked as though she was in a trance the entire time). Whilst some people may find shibari uncomfortable to watch or make them feel uneasy, I noticed that Von Riga often caressed Babydoll and almost chanted to her and I felt that the binding was done in a beautiful way. It was fascinating how the ropes were woven and strapped together to support a greater weight than the sum of their parts, and at the conclusion of the act I looked around the room to find the audience looking thoughtful and intrigued by the shibari (and suspended Babydoll) before them.

Rouge Z appeared within the salt circle with a mystical sword bellydance featuring some serpentine moves combined with sword balancing. At this point, I almost thought we had gone to Agrabah for the night! It was easy to be entranced by Rouge Z’s beautiful moves and enchanting display. Rouge Z was ever smiling, whilst also having a air of mystery about her. Jackyl – The Pharaoh’s only daughter – finished the evening of ritual, entertainment and dance with a stunning burlesque and classic tease routine featuring a chair. It was a sultry routine making the crowd wild and wanting more.

VERDICT: A sumptuous evening of entertainment with added mystery, ritual and thoughtful elements. Something I’ve never witnessed before but thoroughly enjoyed.

Disclaimer: I attended this performance as a guest of the show producer.

*Additional notes: although this show features magick ritual, it does so respectfully and never ventures into areas that would be considered “too dark”. Having said that, the content of this show means that is strictly suitable for those over the age of 18.

Tickets and more information: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=314829&
Whilst I attended this show on a Saturday evening, the remaining shows of the run take place on a Friday evening.