I remember the time when I was 14 years old and my parents, back in Germany, surprised me with tickets to a David Copperfield show. This was my first experience of world-class magic and I will never forget the sense of wonder and awe that I felt that night. Joshua Jay’s ‘The Show’ at the Melbourne Magic Festival took me back to my original magic moment.
Jay is an incredible magician and definitely one of the top acts of the festival. He is masterful when it comes to sleight of hand illusions and finds unique and innovative ways to re-invigorate card tricks. Jay has a way of narrating his tricks in a way that transports the audience back in time to Houdini’s days.
His show is not just a collection of tricks, but rather a well thought out story-line, where the beginning and the end meet in a beautiful conclusion. Along the way he creates impossible scenarios: looking around me ‘How did he do it?’ was written on everyone’s face.
The little boy to my right was so enthralled, I am certain he is currently imagining his magic career; and the grown up boy to my left (my plus one) is still in denial about the fact that Jay placed a key in his fist that simply disappeared without him realising. ‘There was never a key in the first place!’ he complained. Sure there wasn’t. Throughout the show more things disappeared and re-surfaced like wedding rings, packets of M&Ms and even ink on a piece of paper.
What I liked most about Jay’s show was its humility. No big flashy costumes or painfully rehearsed lines – just a nice guy from the States, here to tell us some stories and amaze us along the way.
If you want to catch Joshua Jay at the Melbourne Magic Festival before he returns to the U.S., get yourself a ticket before they sell out!
– Claudia
Claudia B. is a German/Kiwi graphic designer and illustrator who has been living and working in Melbourne for the last six years. She enjoys a good glass of scotch and the occasional pole dancing class. Claudia also helps donate proceeds from www.notthispussy.com.au to charities in support of women’s rights, refugees and climate change.
Joshua Jay’s ‘The Show’ runs 4-8 July 2017, 7pm (50mins) at the Northcote Town Hall. Buy tickets now.
The venue is accessible.
Read our guide to the top acts at the Melbourne Magic Festival (3-15 July 2017).
