After audience members knock on a wooden door and give the secret password, Ellis invites his guests “to enter through the coffin” – a coffin-shaped door decorated with a skeleton – that leads to a warm, comfortable, 32-seat theatre that Ellis built and bedecked with magic-themed paraphernalia.

What follows is 85 minutes of gasps and wide-eyed astonishment as Ellis performs close magic and sleight of hand. We see every movement of his deft and deliciously mysterious hands on a huge screen, but it remains a jaw-dropping mystery how he executes these tricks with cards, bottles and silk handkerchiefs.

The “magic menu” is a choose-your-own-adventure performance where the audience selects magic from a menu of appetisers, entrees, mains and desserts, guaranteeing every show is different, but the utter wonderment stays the same.

Playing cards magically transform, a bell rings itself, coins disappear, objects transport themselves and Ellis reads volunteers’ minds. Adults will be as delighted, amazed and open-mouthed as the children. “Magic is the one art form that families can truly enjoy together”, Ellis says. “Even if the show is designed for the very young, the adults see the magic reflected in their children’s faces and are just as spellbound.”

The Melbourne Magic Festival’s program of family-friendly performances includes illusion, dance, ventriloquism, comedy, clowns, juggling and cabaret – and hosts the under-18 Australian Junior Championship of Magic.

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If your children love shows based on their favourite picture books, then two productions at the Atheneaum Theatre will tickle their fancy. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, based on Eric Carle’s books, features vividly coloured and expertly manipulated puppet versions of the famous caterpillar and other characters including dog, cat, bird, seal, turtle, sheep, butterfly in a vibrant production that will charm young children.

Immediately following at the Athenaeum is The Gruffalo, that remarkably popular children’s story written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler: “A mouse took a stroll through the deep, dark wood” and met the fox, owl, snake and the Gruffalo itself.

Kids’ shows are often overlooked by reviewers, laments Kelly from The Listies, but theatre for children can be more entertaining and beguiling – with better performances – than some served as adult fare.

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