Mada's Magic Marvels

Adam Mada

Sydney Spiegeltent

Photo credit Leo Bonne

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP, MAICD

When you hear or read the term, “children’s magician”, what comes to mind? 

I think of a middle-aged man in a clown suit or an outfit that possibly includes a plastic top hat and a polka-dot bow tie that he obtained at a party hire shop. He does tricks with cups and balls, sponge animals, playing cards, linking rings, balloons, pieces of rope and plucks coins from behind ears. He says the magic words, blows on his hand, sprinkles the magic dust, snaps his fingers, sucks air though closed teeth while concentrating, asks an audience member, “Have we met before?”, he thinks that dad jokes are clever and funny and, with a silly, knowing grin, asks another member of the audience, “Is this your card?”

I first met Adam Mada when he was the dinner magic act at a conference at which I spoke and MC'd eleven years ago.

He has literally and figuratively travelled long distances since then. I recently saw Mada’s Magic Marvels at the Sydney Spiegeltent and his children’s stage show is impressive.

He performed the Floating Table, the Four Person Chair, only one card trick (thank goodness), items produced from a large, glass-fronted box, liquid transposition and many others, all of which went over well with the audience. He made sure that everyone was constantly engaged. In the meantime, Mada's son Finn subtly and innocently did some essential work. 

On my last trip to Las Vegas I saw David Copperfield and Lance Burton. Copperfield was dressed casually, chatted with the audience and performed amazing, bewildering illusions. Burton was dressed like a ringmaster, performed the family favourites and milked the applause to within an inch of it’s life.

Mada performed more in the Copperfield style. Jeans, t-shirt and a jacket was all he needed and he was relatable. He’s stage-savvy, audience aware and he didn’t play down to the young audience. Most impressive was his crowd control. He ensured that nothing got out of hand and everyone was safe at all times.

Adam Mada is unquestionably focused and driven, which has made him so good at what he does. He’s constantly devising, revising and improving, and his many achievements and credits include Magic & Illusion Coach at N.I.D.A. and the Starlight Children’s Foundation National Magic Coach for the Captain Starlight Programme.

So as well as being the best children’s magician that I’ve seen in decades, he also does corporate and promotional events and comes across as a nice, normal guy who does astounding, beguiling and enthralling stunts without being “magicianny”. It will be interesting to see how far Adam Mada goes on the world stage. I’ll definitely be watching his career.