Comedian, magician, and showman Josh Staley brings his brand-new show, Fool Me Once, to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025. Following a critically acclaimed and multi-award winning season in 2024 and 2025, and a sold-out run at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, where the show won Best Magic, Staley is set to mesmerise Melbourne audiences with a spellbinding exploration of magic, deception, and the human experience.
Fresh off the announcement that he will represent Australia at the 2025 World Championships of Magic in Italy, Staley is pushing the boundaries of what magic can be. Melbourne audiences will be the first to witness a world-class routine before it takes the global stage, fresh off its award-winning run at Adelaide Fringe.
“One of the most beautiful parts of magic is the method,” says master magician Josh Staley. “The sleight of hand and ingenious contraptions that make the tricks work are rarely enjoyed by the audience. This show changes that.”
Fool Me Once dives into the intriguing question: Can magic still astonish us when we know how the trick works? Through storytelling, jaw-dropping sleight of hand, and unparalleled showmanship, Staley invites audiences to reconsider what it means to be fooled. What happens when we see a trick multiple times? Does understanding the mechanics diminish the wonder, or can it deepen our appreciation?
Critics have hailed Staley as “undoubtedly one of Australia’s best magicians,” and his newest work cements this reputation. With multiple awards already to his name in 2025 and glowing reviews from audiences and critics alike, Staley blends moments of astonishment with gripping storytelling and his signature comedic flair. Audiences can expect a high-energy, laugh-filled experience that blurs the line between deception and truth.
During the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, experience Fool Me Once at both ‘Brewmanity’ and The Askal.
Don’t miss this Victorian premiere event from one of Australia’s most innovative and entertaining magicians. Prepare to be amazed, amused, and utterly enthralled in a show that redefines what it means to experience magic.
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/josh-staley-fool-me-once/
