A homegrown Brisbane production is taking the world by storm, with the Theatre of Magic expanding from a local launch to an international sensation in just over two years.
Created in Brisbane at the end of 2024, the intimate, immersive magic experience now plays to captivated audiences across Brisbane, Melbourne and Toowoomba, as well as major US cities including Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and Austin (Texas), marking an extraordinary rise for the Australian-born show.
In a major milestone, the production has now been picked up by global entertainment platform Fever, the creators behind the popular Candlelight Orchestra series, cementing its status as one of the most exciting live entertainment exports from Australia.
Theatre of Magic is the creation of leading Australian illusionists Christopher Wayne (now living in the US and spreading his gospel of magic there), Josh Norbido and The Amazing Nigel, combining world-class sleight of hand with intimate, up-close magic and a whole lot of theatrical charm, with guest magicians standing in for Christopher Wayne at home.
Wayne is best known as co-creator of the Las Vegas hit show, The Naked Magicians, and family favourite Showmen. He made history as the first Australian magician to headline a solo Off-Broadway season and now leads the US expansion of Theatre of Magic from his base in Boston.
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Card specialist Josh Norbido’s work has featured in productions including TV series Poker Face and the film Oceans 10. He was recently named among the world’s top five close-up magicians, as well as winning Best Magic Podcast.
Completing the founding trio is The Amazing Nigel, one of Australia’s most in-demand corporate entertainers, known for his unique blend of magic, comedy, charm and astonishing memory feats.
I have been to this show twice and have been completely bamboozled by these guys. Happily so. How do they do it? I don’t know and I don’t want to know. I just love being amazed by magic and this is good clean family fun, too.
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Wayne says the show was “created to replicate the elegance and mystique of Los Angeles’ famous Magic Castle”.
“Theatre of Magic delivers an evening of world-class entertainment experienced just inches from your eyes,” he says. “Whether it’s our 40-seat library theatre at Rydges Fortitude Valley in Brisbane or Boston’s historic Liberty Hotel, audiences are stepping into something truly special.”
Across Australia alone, the production employs more than 15 professional magicians performing every weekend, a scale that helped attract Fever’s attention and fuel the show’s rapid international expansion.
“Fever saw what Australian audiences were experiencing week in, week out, and recognised it as something worthy of the global stage,” Wayne says.
After a year in the US, he is leading the charge as Theatre of Magic continues its rapid growth.
“The best magicians on the planet are performing in some of Australia’s finest venues every weekend, and after just two years the rest of the world is starting to notice,” he says.
“We want to do with magic what Bluey has done for children’s entertainment, begin in Brisbane and take it to the world, and it’s happening. At a time when audiences are craving lighthearted, shared experiences, Theatre of Magic is delivering something genuinely joyful, whether it’s date night, family fun or a night out with friends. The golden age of entertainment is back, and Australia is leading the charge with a huge does of abracadabra.”
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