Showcase Entertainment, that traded as Matt Hollywood since 2006, in liquidation over tax debt

A company directed by a veteran Gold Coast magician and entertainer has gone into liquidation, with the performer unable to pull any money out of his hat for the tax office.

A company directed by a veteran Gold Coast entertainer has gone into liquidation, with the performer unable to pull any money out of his hat for the tax office.

Showcase Entertainment, which had traded since 2006 as Matt Hollywood, Shane St James Live and Ben Price Live, was wound up on September 18.

Documents lodged by liquidator Michael Dullaway, of Pearce & Heers, said the company owed $247,071 in tax and another $84,987 in unpaid superannuation.

It has “limited or no funds” to pay the debts.

Hope Island resident Hollywood, 52, whose real name is Matthew Robert Thomas, has drawn crowds at home and abroad with a razzle-dazzle mix of magic, comedy and illusion, performing private and corporate gigs for everyone from Robbie Williams to Seinfeld, Jerry Lewis, Pamela Anderson, Richard Branson and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hollywood said the company had not operated his venue at Surfers Paradise.

“The previous company was for booking corporate speakers, entertainers and event management,” he said.

“It’s has never recovered since Covid.

“It’s business as usual at the Surfers Paradise theatre.”

Matt Hollywood is opening a brand-new theatre in Surfers Paradise next Friday night, and Matt and assistant Alannah Bravo have plenty of tricks up their sleeve to keep the public entertained. Picture Glenn Hampson

He held a residency at Sanctuary Cove for his Illusions show in the Cove’s 220-seat Village Theatre from 2014, before relocating to Surfers Paradise in March, when he launched a brand-new Cavill Lane theatre next door to the Hilton.

“We’ve only been open for a month and we’ve already had to double our shows, and we might be about to add to that as well,” he said at the time.

Documents lodged with ASIC reveal the “world champion magician” sought advice from Pearce & Heers about his tax debt, and the possibility of him receiving a director penalty notice, in May. He subsequently paid the $12,000 for the liquidator’s costs.

There are no allegations of any wrongdoing against Mr Thomas/Hollywood.

Despite the liquidation, tickets to Hollywood’s shows are still available and he is planning a Halloween special at Cavill Lane.

The entertainer’s tax trouble follows the liquidation of another Gold Coast theatrical company, The Pink Flamingo, which collapsed over a $2 million tax debt in July.

The Broadbeach cabaret has since been operating through a related company.