The Great Armando Review – Melbourne Kids Magician

By Entertainment Now Editor

The Great Armando – Profile Review
Date: January 2026
Genre: Children’s Magic & Family Entertainment
Reviewer: Sarah

The Great Armando Review

There’s a particular kind of hush that falls over a room when children sense something special is about to happen. It’s not silence exactly — it’s anticipation. Watching The Great Armando perform, that feeling arrives early and stays right through to the final applause. This is children’s entertainment that understands its audience deeply, respects it completely, and invites everyone — kids and adults alike — to share in the wonder.

Based in Melbourne and performing across Victoria, The Great Armando brings more than two decades of professional experience to every show. Originally from Italy, his journey through European stages before settling in Australia gives his work a distinctive flavour. There’s a theatricality to his magic that feels old-world in the best sense, paired with a modern understanding of how today’s children engage, react, and participate. His performances aren’t rushed or noisy for the sake of it — they’re thoughtfully paced, story-driven, and built on genuine connection.

What stands out immediately is Armando’s presence. Warm, playful, and entirely at ease, he creates a space where children feel safe to laugh loudly, raise their hands, or simply watch quietly if that’s what suits them best. The tone is inclusive without ever calling attention to itself. Shy children are never pushed, boisterous ones are gently guided, and neurodivergent children are welcomed without labels or awkward explanations. It’s a rare skill, and one that only comes from experience and care.

Armando’s magic itself is strong, visual, and well-chosen for family audiences. But what elevates the performance is how the tricks are framed. Each piece feels like part of a larger journey rather than a disconnected series of moments. Children aren’t just watching magic happen — they’re helping decide outcomes, influencing the story, and often delighting in surprising the adults in the room. Parents and carers aren’t sidelined observers; they’re genuinely entertained participants, laughing along and leaning in.

This balance between child-focused fun and adult enjoyment is one of The Great Armando’s defining strengths. His humour is clever without being smug, playful without being condescending. Adults find themselves laughing for real, not politely, and that shared enjoyment changes the energy of the room. It becomes a collective experience rather than a performance happening “for the kids.”

For birthday parties and community events, The Great Armando’s signature show adapts smoothly to the age group and setting. The birthday child is acknowledged in a way that feels celebratory rather than spotlight-heavy, ensuring they feel special without pressure. For families wanting something more immersive, his extended full-party experiences weave magic into games, shared rituals like the cake moment, and even hands-on magic workshops. Teaching children real tricks they can take home is a particularly lovely touch — the magic doesn’t end when the show does.

Armando’s background includes appearances on national television in both Italy and Australia, as well as features in respected publications. Yet none of that overshadows the grounded, human quality of his performances. There’s no sense of ego on stage — just a performer fully committed to making the experience meaningful for the people in front of him.

What lingers after a Great Armando show isn’t just the memory of tricks, but the feeling of having been part of something shared. Children talk about it for weeks. Adults remember how refreshing it was to enjoy a children’s show without checking their watches. In an industry that can sometimes lean toward noise over nuance, The Great Armando stands out for his thoughtfulness, warmth, and genuine respect for his audience.