From start to finish, Wacky Wizardry Goes Wrong is an action-packed hour of magic, humour and chickens aimed at young magic enthusiasts.

Magician Josh Staley is quickly becoming an Adelaide Fringe staple with multiple shows on offer every year. His kids show, Wacky Wizardry Goes Wrong, though featuring many tricks you’ve seen before in other shows, is wrapped in a chaotic presentation full of audience participation, brilliant dad-jokes (I for one was very proud of these jokes…my daughter may have rolled her eyes when I was laughing) and a high-energy performance.

Staley’s personality is infectious. You cannot help but get swept up in his effervescent personality. From the moment he bursts onto stage in a snappy baby-blue vest, matching pants, white shirt and striking red tie, he has you in the palm of his hand. His chaotic approach to magic quickly puts at ease anyone who has a slight uncertainty about getting involved and he has everyone in fits of laughter and joining in the call-and-response moments in the show. 

Staley is a solid magician. His presentation of the tricks in the show was excellent, although those of us in the audience who have a keen eye for magic were able to see some of his sleight-of-hand moments. The whole show was highly polished. The biggest trick of all was how Staley was able to keep his energy levels above 100% for the whole hour without once showing signs of exhaustion.

Wacky Wizardry Goes Wrong is a magnificent hour of family entertainment and if you are able to squeeze in one more show on the final weekend of the Fringe, this is a guaranteed winner for you. Just watch out for the chickens.