What People Say
110+ five-star reviews from real clients and audiences across Melbourne — from private celebrations and corporate events through to sold-out festival seasons and press coverage.
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Private & Corporate Client Reviews
Real reviews from real bookings across Melbourne
Weddings
"We had Josh at our wedding and he was absolutely wonderful! He completely wowed our guests and created such a fun, unforgettable atmosphere."
"He actually made the evening feel like magic. We still have no idea how he does anything... he left everyone in complete awe on the day."
"Organised him for a wedding and everyone loved the performance! This made a wonderful day even better. Josh is a master of his art."
Corporate
"He roved between groups, giving each group personal attention and unforgettable moments. Pacing didn't feel rushed at all."
"I have hired Josh to perform close-up magic twice now — once at a gala event and once at a milestone birthday. He is responsive, respectful, and a lateral thinker."
"Super easy to communicate with, incredibly flexible, and very professional from start to finish. A real highlight for our work Christmas Party."
"He was absolutely phenomenal! He had us all laughing and in awe for every trick."
"Josh was brilliant, and a real crowd favourite. Very self sufficient and made his way through all of our guests — he was a real highlight of our event!"
"Amazing work Josh! Thank you for wearing white to the event to suit our theme!"
Hens & Bucks
"We booked Josh for a joint hens and bucks party, and he was absolutely incredible! The whole show added something truly special to the night."
"Josh made such a memorable part of our hens event, couldn't recommend him more! Warm, friendly, funny and so good at entertaining. If you're on the fence, do yourself a favour and book."
Celebrations
"He had the whole group enthralled, from the youngest to the more senior. There was much laughter and polite disbelief."
"Very impressed not only by the magic itself but by Josh's ability to match the energies of 10 rowdy girls at a birthday party."
"He left guests at my party in absolute awe. Even the most cynical and hard-to-impress amongst them were completely wowed."
"We had a big friends Christmas party in Camberwell and everyone was not only in stitches with laughter but absolutely amazed at Josh's magic."
"Absolutely awesome performance, great banter and interaction with the audience. Josh really is a world class entertainer."
"We were so wowed by Josh! He does exceptional crowd work! Everyone was involved. We all had so much fun."
"Exceeded all expectations! He was great, got straight into the show and immediately won us over."
"Was a huge hit at our Christmas party!"
"I engaged Josh to perform at my retirement party. Feedback from my family and friends was very positive and I found Josh to be charming, engaging and very professional."
General Private Reviews
"Amazing magic show! I've seen Josh twice — his shows are high energy, entertaining and completely mind blowing! Definitely one of the best magicians in Melbourne."
"Josh was funny, quirky, hilarious to say the least... man he is a humble and a beautiful character. Thank you from my family too."
"We loved the show. Josh is a wonderful entertainer and we left the show on a high. Highly recommend to anyone — young and old."
Festival & Public Show Reviews
From sold-out seasons at Melbourne Magic Festival, Adelaide Fringe, and beyond
"Josh Staley's After Dark is the most mind blowing experience in magic I have ever experienced. You'll want to see it more than once."
"Unbelievably good and despite sitting very close to the stage no clue how he does it. Good luck Josh representing Australia at the magic world championships!"
"His 'Fool Me Once' show was probably the sixth of his shows we've watched in person. We always make it a point to attend his performances every year."
"This was such a great experience, one of the best talents I've ever seen, especially if you love card magic. And was really funny during the show!"
"I was so impressed with Josh Staley's show Illusions After Dark, that I went back and saw it again with Hubby. And once again, it was fantastic."
"We randomly selected Josh's show Illusions After Dark at the Melbourne Magic Festival, and boy was that the best decision! It was so enjoyable I came back to do Conjuring College."
"Fool Me Once is absolutely brilliant! Also ticked a core memory for me and 9yo son during this recent school holiday. The magic was mind-blowing."
"Josh Staley reads minds and then he does a bunch of cool magic tricks in order to distract you from the fact that he actually reads minds! Amazing!"
"His Fool Me Once show was a brilliant close up performance at the Magic Festival. Performing close-up for people like you is the absolute best part."
"Amazing! One of the coolest Comedy Fest sets I've seen."
"So much fun for everyone. Funny and talented. The full package. Highly recommend."
"The whole table was just lost for words at how amazing and creative his show was. A mind blowing, entertaining and a really fun show!"
"50 minutes of jam packed awesomeness!! Seriously incredibly blew-my-mind amazing!!"
"Josh is not only a brilliant magician, he is very funny and engaging. Loved his show."
"Josh is just fantastic! So close up and still unbelievable! Great show for all ages and very interactive."
"This show was so entertaining and impressive! By far the best magic show I've ever seen!"
"Josh was very engaging, myself and my 9 year old enjoyed the hour long lesson. Highly recommend."
"Incredibly amazing! Third year seeing Josh and he just gets better and better! Thanks for having me on stage — what an honour."
"Wow, Josh's show was mind bending, we are still trying to work out his tricks. A consummate professional, engaged with the audience."
"Impressive, the kids and I had a wonderful time. He is also a very funny and intelligent human being."
"I had the pleasure of being a part of his show, and it was pretty epic! A must see! We saw his other show previously and it was just as great."
"Really impressive. Went as part of Melb Comedy Festival for our kids and enjoyed it as much as they did."
"Magic: unreal. Comedy: spot on. Outcome: deceived (happily) and now apparently best friends. Highly recommend!"
"Josh was excellent. Very entertaining. Tricks were brilliant, especially the mind reading. Wow."
"I really enjoyed it! It was really funny and The Sweet Deception trick was amazing!"
"Non stop magic and laughs. All fun, no filler. Impressive tricks!"
"Incredible!! This was my first magic show, and it was just perfect!! The whole show was smooth, funny, and very impressive!"
"We loved seeing Josh in Melbourne. The tricks were amazing, especially when he guessed Aiden's drawing!"
"I have seen many magic shows and this was great. Engagement and great range of tricks and body language reading."
"We saw Josh at the Melbourne Magic Festival, and of the five or so shows we saw, he was one of the best (and my wife's favourite). Thanks for a spellbinding performance!"
"I saw Josh at the magic festival with my 13 year old son. Fantastic magician and so funny. We laughed all the way through the show."
"Incredible skills and storytelling is great, not just a bag of tricks but a methodical journey."
"It was an honor to be among someone among the greatest magicians in the magic olympics."
Press & Media
As featured in Australian press, media, and reviewed by industry peers
Beautiful. Really Nice.
After improbable, there is Josh Staley.
Josh Staley is undoubtedly one of Australia's best magicians.
What the #%@$!! That's wild.
Staley isn't just performing magic, he's redefining it.
It's hard not to think you might have witnessed real magic.
...I KNOW Josh Staley is one of the best magicians in the world!
Josh Staley is not the type of person you would want to play poker with.