Among them are Charlie and Sherry Frye, a husband-and-wife team. Charlie Frye, billed as "The Eccentric", began his performing life as a clown at the age of about seven, following in the family tradition of his father and grandfather.

"Early on I knew I had big shoes to fill," he says.

"The skills of magic and juggling just grew naturally, out of my foundation of clowning."

His wife Sherry was brought up as a ballerina, was accepted to a prestigious performing arts school at 14, and ended up in a ballet company in New York.

"We met in Ringling Bros. in 1980. I was a clown and juggler. Sherry a dancer and aerial performer," says Charlie.

They perform several spots in 1903 involving silent physical comedy, juggling, and sleight of hand.

"Think Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, et cetera."

Given these nods to old-time show business it seems apt they are in a show that very specifically acts as a homage to the past, invoking the magic of the early 20th century.

"Beyond being merely a tribute, I consider it an inspired revisiting of not only magic's golden age, but of variety theatre in general. Who wouldn't want to peer into the past and see vaudeville at its prime, when people presented their life-long work live every night, and sold their hearts out?

"Back then, you had to be really good to be in show business, and the performers were living works of art. This is the era we're trying to hold a candle to... the magnificent quality of the past. That's what has always inspired our work, and we're thrilled to be in a show that shares that vision."

Among the Fryes' career highlights to date have been being Liza Minnelli's opening act, being voted Specialty Act of the Year in Las Vegas, being hired by Tom Hanks for his movie That Thing You Do and being featured in Sam Smith's first music video, Money On My Mind. This year they were honoured with the Ken Dodd award for comedy in England, The Award of Excellence from The International Jugglers Association and awards for their contribution to the Magic Arts from Russia and Latvia.

"We have been to Australia before, but never Canberra. Besides doing The Illusionists 1903 in Brisbane and Adelaide, we starred in a production show at Jupiters on the Gold Coast for a year and a half back around 1995. Love Australia!" Charlie says.

"Mark Kalin and Jinger Leigh are amongst the driving forces of the show. They've helped steer it in the right directions so far as authenticity and entertainment value are concerned, along with bringing their own superlative work to the show. The music, the sets, the whole overall production lives up to a beautifully high standard. It's a very cinematic production."

And while the show evokes the past, it isn't a slavish recreation.

He says, "Many of the pieces in the show are quite similar to what one would have seen back in 1903, but with subtle twists and touches that turn them into modern-day foolers. Even other magicians are often left scratching their heads during the show, like after the mind-reading feats of The Clairvoyants, for example. 1903 is a show of head-shaking mysteries, and jaw-dropping stunts."

And he says he and his wife fit right into it.

"For our act, performing in this manner was hardly a stretch. We've been doing a vaudeville-themed act our whole career. With the current popularity of entertainments like burlesque, Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, steampunk, vampires, etc., I feel like 1903 has the same cool retro hipness going for it. I'd be into this show even if I wasn't in this show."

Even in a hightech age where information is easier to come by than ever, magic still retains its mystique, and as he notes, the old-fashioned kind still appeals. Why does he think that is?

"Because it's fun. People are naturally curious, and it's hard to resist the mystery and surprise of a good magic show. If you're a kid, live theatre is already a wonderful, magical experience. So by taking this one step further by actually presenting magic on stage, that kind of fun is hard to resist. And if you're not a kid, a good magic show can definitely make you feel like one again. It's nice to escape the confines of reality now and then, don't you think?"

Another act in the show is Dana Daniels, billed as "The Charlatan". He got his start a bit later than Charlie Frye and under harder circumstances.

"When I was 10 years old, I was in a car accident and broke both my legs. During the months I spent in the hospital, one day they had a magician perform a show for all the kids. This was the first time I had ever seen a magician perform in person and I was immediately hooked."

He went on to forge a stellar career with numerous awards including stage magician of the year (twice) and comedy magician of the year from The Academy of Magical Arts and has opened for such acts as Madonna, Ray Romano and Jason Alexander. This will be his first time in Australia.

"I am, basically, the comedian in the show," he says.

"I am teamed with Dwayne the Psychic Dove (yes, a Psychic Dove)."

He is the comedian and Dwayne is the "straight bird". Daniels sets out to prove his feathered friend is clairvoyant by performing magic tricks blended with comedy and audience participation.

And, he says, in this show, "You are going to see the best in the business ... We have everything from escapes, comedy and mind reading to juggling and grand illusion."

He says some of the acts are presented as they were originally done while others are "modern illusions presented with a turn-of-the-century flair. Not to mention, the sets and costuming are really cool. The show looks truly magic ...This is a huge show.

"It's fun to transport yourself back into that time and pretend that you are watching The Golden Age of Magic."

The Illusionists: 1903 is on at the Canberra Theatre from December 8 to 16. See: canberratheatrecentre.com.au.