Review: The Greatest Magic Show at The Pleasure Garden

The Greatest Magic Show at Lotterywest De Parel Spiegeltent at The Pleasure Garden
Sunday, January 26, 2025

The Greatest Magic Show at Fringe World 2025 was an absolute hit with the kids. From the moment they stepped on stage, magicians Sam and Justin, led by Magnus the Ringmaster, captivated the young audience with their infectious energy and sense of fun.

The dynamic duo had the perfect balance of humour, skill, and jaw-dropping tricks that kept the kids laughing out loud the entire time. The show was tailored perfectly for ages three to ten, with the seven-year-old mesmerised and the twelve-year-old quietly impressed.

The magic itself was top-notch, featuring six impressive tricks that left the kids wide-eyed in wonder. But what really set the show apart was how interactive it was. Sam and Justin brought kids up onto the stage, had them shouting constantly, and gave every child their own magic wand to wave (which they got to keep), making them feel like they were part of the magic.

From the adults’ point of view, the silly antics did take up too much time, producing fewer tricks than one would expect from a magic show—but then the adults are not the target audience here. Also note that some seats have blocked lines of sight in the historical De Parel Spiegeltent. Despite arriving 15 minutes early, the remaining seats were to the far left, resulting in a view of a pillar and the magicians’ backs.

The Greatest Magic Show is highly recommended for any primary school-aged family looking for a fun, magical experience at the Fringe. Be sure to enjoy the Fringe World Pleasure Gardens after the show, with plenty of shady tables and bars for the parents to relax while the kids are entertained by the mermaids. Then get the whole family on the dance floor to finish the evening at the free silent disco, with boogie on the bandstand.

MELISSA MANN