Straight from the world stage and back into the heart of Adelaide Fringe, Australian magic champion Josh Staley is making a grand return to Gluttony with his sharpest and most sophisticated show yet, Lie To Me.
After representing Australia at the World Championships of Magic, often called the Magic Olympics, and ranking among the top magicians on the planet, Josh’s Fringe return feels less like a comeback and more like a victory lap. Playing at The Lark at Gluttony from March 10th to 15th, Lie To Me is a sleek exploration of deception, perception and the lies we’re all willing to believe.
This is magic for adults who think they’ve seen it all. Gone are the tired top hats and predictable tricks, replaced by sharp sleight of hand, psychological intrigue and a central question of “can a magician ever truly tell the truth?”
After an international circuit, Josh has transformed Lie To Me into a tighter, more immersive Fringe experience. Each performance changes, blending a thoughtfully engineered routine with spontaneous audience interactions and improvised moments. The result is a show that feels alive, intelligent and slightly dangerous, in the best possible way.
“I don’t fool the audience,” says Josh. “I create the conditions where they fool themselves. Coming back from the World Championships, I wanted to bring that level of elite, international precision to an intimate Fringe setting where the audience and I can explore the illusions we choose to believe.”
Josh’s effortless wit and relaxed stage presence disarm the room, making the impossible feel almost reasonable, right before it leaves you entirely baffled. It’s slick without being smug, playful without ever talking down to its audience.
Behind the humour is a performer operating at the absolute top of his craft. Critics have described Josh as “undoubtedly one of Australia’s best magicians,” and with accolades including Best Magic, Best Comedy and even a Guinness World Record, it’s easy to see why.
Running just 60 minutes, Lie To Me is a Fringe experience that combines world-class magic with stand-up-level laughs. So whether you’re a seasoned Fringe-goer or just looking for a smart, entertaining night out, this is a show that proves the most astonishing illusions aren’t on stage, they’re the ones we create for ourselves.
Lie To Me
When: Tuesday, March 10th to Sunday, March 15th at 6pm
Where: The Lark at Gluttony
Price: $24 to $34
Rating: G
Length: 60 min
For more information, click here.
