Nick Kay: Pieces of Me | Melbourne Magic Festival

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Date Reviewed: 06/07/2026

Nick Kay says he is surprised people showed up at the Arrow on Swanston for his show at the Melbourne Magic Festival.

"Awwwh," we reply, unaware that he is just misdirecting us, and very soon he will have the audience exactly where he wants them.

What sets Kay apart from his peers at the Melbourne Magic Festival is his authenticity. He ditches the mysterious-magician persona to reveal someone warm, funny and genuine. He even shares his real name, Nick Kesidis, and the story of his Greek-Australian heritage through the classic cups and ball trick, reimagined through his family's fruit shop.

"We had the family business that was a fruit shop. I know, Greek people, fruit shop. That was us... Wait? This isn't a magic show. It's a fruit shop."

It's a brilliant concept. The familiar sleight of hand becomes a lively market scene, fuelled by Kassidis' impeccable comic timing. He keeps everyone involved, teasing the crowd with, "He's seeing a pattern, my friend... oh, and now we're all involved."

By the finale, theatre etiquette has disappeared. The audience gleefully shouts out fruit as onions, oranges, lemons and bananas appear in rapid succession. Just when everyone thinks they've worked out the pattern, Kesidis slams a giant coconut onto the table.

Spoiler alert: "Nobody ever says coconuts."

Other routines involving rubik's cubes, cards and lunch bags keep us enthralled, but the show's emotional heart lies in an extraordinary mentalism routine that took 11 years to create. Audience members write down their wishes before Kassidis reflects: "They say wishes are like seeds. They take root, bear fruit, and those fruits have seeds that grant wishes far beyond what we'll ever see."

With astonishing accuracy, he reveals hopes of travel, dogs and happiness of each member in the audience.

The most memorable wish belongs to a young Jewish boy Kay affectionately nicknames "Sunshine" when he can't pronounce his name.

Looking at him, Kesidis says: "You're a sweet kid, because this wish wasn't actually for yourself, was it? It's kind of for everyone. Out of all the things this kid could have wished for... did you wish for peace?"

The boy dryly chokes, "Yeah."

For a moment, the room falls completely silent.

It's a reminder that Kay's greatest trick isn't fooling people. It's creating moments of genuine human connection.

By the end of the night, a room full of strangers feels like a gathering of old friends. Fittingly, Kay is waiting at the door to thank each person as they leave. After watching him perform, it feels less like exiting a theatre than saying goodbye to someone you've known for years.

Who's it for?

Anyone who loves magic but is tired of the standard "mysterious illusionist" trope. It is perfect for audiences seeking a performance that balances high-caliber sleight of hand with deep emotion, laugh-out-loud comedy, and authentic human connection.

Highlights

• The Fruit Shop Reimagining: A brilliant, cultural spin on the classic cups and balls trick that infuses his Greek-Australian heritage and rapid-fire fruit reveals.
  
• The Surprise Finale: A chaotic and joyful climax that completely disrupts traditional theater etiquette, capped off by the unexpected appearance of a giant coconut.
  
• An 11-Year Mentalism Routine: An astonishingly accurate mind-reading segment centered on audience wishes that serves as the emotional anchor of the entire evening.
  
• Unrivaled Warmth: A uniquely personal atmosphere where the performer sheds the typical magician persona, interacts genuinely with the crowd, and personally thanks every guest at the door.

The Melbourne Magic Festivalruns from 29 July to 11 July. It includes 320 performances across 59 different shows, transforming venues around Carlton into Australia's biggest celebration of illusion, comedy and family entertainment. There is something for everyone, from close-up magic and grand illusion to mentalism, circus and children's shows. 

Reviewed by Mary Sinanidis