Showmen Productions Executive Director – Sam Hume was kind enough to set some time aside to chat to Corr Blimey about not one, or even two shows, but all FOUR of their shows at this year’s Fringe:

Adults Only Magic Show
The Greatest Magic Show
Circus The Show
Explosive Science Show!

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Would you mind giving us a brief insight into what your show/event/performance is?

Sure! Or rather—shows. We’re doing four different shows every single day at the Fringe because we apparently don’t believe in sleep. Between The Greatest Magic Show, CIRCUS: The Show, Explosive Science Show, and Adults Only Magic Show, we’ve got something for everyone—from wide-eyed kids to raucous night owls.

We’ve jam-packed our family shows with mind-blowing magic, gravity-defying circus and explosions (the science kind—we’re still on good terms with our venues). But they’re not just fun—they’re empowering. We want kids to walk out feeling like superheroes, knowing their differences are their strengths. Neurodivergent minds made these shows, and that’s exactly the kind of magic we want to share.

And when the sun goes down… it’s time for Adults Only Magic Show—a cheeky, no-holds-barred night of jaw-dropping magic, big laughs, and even bigger surprises (pun intended). There’s no bunny in the hat here—unless he’s wearing leather and begging for it.

Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?

We’re a chaotic mix of magicians, circus performers, balloon artists, scientists, and creatives with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and more—basically, a beautiful cocktail of neuro-spicy brilliance. Every element is carefully designed to celebrate curiosity, creativity and difference; with the pure breadth of different approaches in thinking between myself Justin Williams and (founders of the company), along with liaison between our core artists, that result in the beautiful mix of shows we have now been touring the world with for the past 7 years.

Our creative process? Imagine a group of excitable toddlers in a brainstorming session with glitter cannons—and somehow, shows get made. But seriously, it’s collaborative, joyful and always grounded in our mission: to create work that entertains while helping audiences—especially kids—believe in themselves

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How does it feel coming to the Fringe?

It’s exactly like coming home… if your home was a 4-week whirlwind of crowds, chaos, 10-minute lunches, and the greatest creative buzz in the world! We absolutely love it. The Fringe is a special place where weird is celebrated and creativity knows no bounds—our kind of paradise. Doing four shows a day might sound nuts, and… well, it is. But it’s also the most energising madness we could ask for, and none of us would rather be doing anything else.

With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?

We don’t just put on shows—we put on experiences that stick with you. We’re not just pulling rabbits out of hats (although, never say never)—we’re pulling confidence out of kids, encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves, and hopefully demonstrate that if you’re dreams are a bit weird and different to everyone else’s, that’s never a reason not to pursue them. We’re not afraid to be loud, bold, silly, and heartfelt, all at once.

Also, let’s be honest—who else is blowing things up in one show, levitating kids in another, and hula-hooping upside down in a third—all in the same day? Our shows are fast-paced, high-energy and bursting with positivity. They’re made for families, by performers who know what it’s like to feel different and turn that into their greatest strength.

And then, when the kids are tucked in bed, we unleash Adults Only Magic Show—a wild, hilarious, rowdy night of fun where the magic gets cheeky, the jokes get juicy, and the audience gets very involved (don’t worry, it’s mostly voluntary).

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Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?

Absolutely. Whether you’re six or sixty, we want you to leave feeling empowered. If you’re a kid, we want you to believe that your imagination is a superpower. That being different doesn’t mean being less—it means being extraordinary. If you’re a parent, we hope you see just how brilliant your kid’s quirks are.

And if you’ve just come out of Adults Only Magic Show… we mostly want you to take away your clothes. (Kidding! Sort of…) I have always admired live performance for the simple fact that for the next 60 minutes, every single person in that auditorium, including the performers, will share a unique experience, and for a brief moment, it’s as if the outside world doesn’t exist. That to me is incredibly special.

Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?

For our family shows, our ideal audience member is the kid who doesn’t usually see someone like them onstage. The one who’s been told they’re too much, too distracted, too silly. They’re watching, eyes wide, whispering, “Hey… that could be me.”

For Adults Only Magic Show? Our perfect crowd is anyone who wants to laugh so hard they cry while watching some truly incredible magic. Who’s not there? Probably anyone who hates fun, glitter and having their minds blown.

It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?

Relax? Ha! With four shows a day, we relax between bites of delicious crepes at 2 a.m. But if we do sneak away, we’ll be catching fellow Aussie performers, circus acts, magicians, and probably anything with a pun in the title. We’re huge supporters of artists taking bold swings, and if it’s weird, wonderful, or slightly unhinged—we’re in.

In your ideal world, how can we improve the Fringe, performance, and the industry?

We’d love to see more support for neurodivergent and marginalised artists. We’ve seen first-hand how creativity thrives in difference—and how many incredible voices can get lost without the proper support. Let’s make the Fringe more accessible, more inclusive, and even more open to risk-taking, heart-led art.

Also… nap pods. Just saying.

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Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’