90 Minute Family Close-Up Magic and illusionism Show in Blackpool

The best thing about this Blackpool night out is the close-up setting. At Russ Brown’s House of Secrets, magic happens near the audience rather than far away on a large theatre stage, so children and adults can become part of the action. The 90-minute show mixes sleight of hand, illusion, comedy, and stage magic.

I like the easy central location and the warm, small-venue feel. I also like that the show starts at 7pm, lasts about an hour and a half, and lets you keep the rest of your evening open. The main thing to consider is that audience participation is a large part of the fun, so anyone hoping to sit quietly and watch from the shadows may prefer a more traditional theatre performance.

Key points to know before booking

• Close-up magic in a small venue: Tricks happen in an intimate setting, which helps children and adults feel involved.
• A proper family show: Comedy, stage magic, illusions, and audience participation give the evening broad appeal.
• Central Blackpool location: The venue is easy to find and close to public transport.
• Drinks available on site: The bar is well stocked, though drinks cost extra.
• A useful 7pm start: The show lasts around 90 minutes, leaving your later evening free.
• Strong value for a short evening: At $19.44 per person, the price is modest for a live show with plenty of interaction.

What the House of Secrets show is really like

Russ Brown’s House of Secrets offers a different sort of Blackpool entertainment. You are not simply watching a performer from a distant seat. The room is small, the action feels close, and members of the audience may be asked to help with tricks or join Russ on stage.

That closeness matters with magic. A large production can give you spectacle, but a small room lets you watch reactions, expressions, and hand movements at much closer range. It also gives the show a more personal tone, which is especially useful when you are taking children who may lose interest during a long, formal performance.

The show brings together several styles. You can expect close-up magic, larger illusions, stage magic, and comedy rather than one repeated trick for 90 minutes. That mix helps the evening work for mixed-age families, since younger children can enjoy the visual surprises while adults get more of the jokes and performance skill.

Audience participation is part of the design. Children may be invited to assist with a trick, and adults can also become involved. If your child is shy, the invitation can feel like a big moment, though you should not assume every child will be called up or want to take part.

Starting at 7pm in central Blackpool

The advertised start time is 7pm. That gives you a practical window for an early meal before the show, or you can arrange dinner afterward. Since the performance lasts about 90 minutes, you should be finished at roughly 8:30pm, leaving time for the seafront, an evening snack, or another Blackpool activity.

The venue is described as easy to find in central Blackpool, which is useful in a town where evening entertainment can be spread along busy streets. It is also near public transport. You receive a mobile ticket, so you do not need to manage a paper voucher.

I would still allow a little time to locate the entrance, particularly if you are travelling with young children or arriving after dark. The experience is built around a particular venue rather than a moving tour, so arriving at the right place on time matters.

A bar is available inside, with a good range of drinks and cocktails. These are an extra cost, so include them in your budget if you want the evening to feel like a full night out rather than a ticketed performance followed by a quick departure.

Why the small room helps the magic

The venue’s intimate size is one of its strongest features. Close-up magic loses some of its force when you can barely see the performer. Here, the smaller room places the action within a more personal distance, and the audience becomes part of the atmosphere.

That format also helps Russ Brown respond to the crowd. A child who wants to take part may get a chance, while a family sitting together can feel connected to the performance rather than separated from it by rows of seats and a wide stage.

There is a trade-off. A small venue can feel more personal, but it may also mean that the experience depends more on the energy of the audience. If your group dislikes interaction, you may find the format less comfortable than a quiet cinema or conventional theatre show.

For most families, though, the involvement is the point. The performance is designed to make children feel noticed, and several parts of the evening can place them close to the magic. One especially useful feature for parents is that children can remain at the venue until 10:30pm if you want to stay longer after the show.

The magic, comedy, and audience participation

The program is not limited to one kind of trick. Close-up magic gives you small, personal moments, while stage magic and illusions provide bigger visual effects. Comedy keeps the pace light and helps the show appeal to adults who might not normally choose a magic performance.

Russ Brown also works directly with children. A child may help with a trick, appear on stage, or simply be drawn into the action from the audience. For a confident child, that can be a highlight of a Blackpool holiday. For a shy child, it can be exciting if handled gently, but the possibility of being involved is worth explaining before you go.

The comedy is another reason the show suits mixed ages. It is not presented as a serious demonstration of technical skill alone. You are getting an evening of entertainment, with jokes, surprises, and moments designed to bring the room together.

The exact running order and tricks can change. That is part of the nature of live magic, and surprise guests may also appear on some evenings. A previous show included guests associated with Britain’s Got Talent, but that should be treated as an occasional bonus rather than a promised part of every booking.

How the 90-minute format works for families

Ninety minutes is a sensible length for a family evening. It is long enough to feel like a complete show, but short enough to hold the attention of most children better than a much longer theatre production.

The program includes an interval, giving children a chance to settle, use the facilities, or simply reset before the second part. That break can make a real difference if you are attending with younger children.

Because the performance is compact, you can fit it neatly into a busy Blackpool schedule. You do not need to dedicate an entire day to the experience. A morning at the beach, an afternoon at an attraction, dinner, and the 7pm magic show can all work within one holiday evening.

The late option is also useful. Children can stay in the venue until 10:30pm if your family wants to continue the night there. That does not mean the show itself lasts that long. Plan on about 90 minutes for the performance, then decide if you want to remain for drinks and extra time in the venue.

Is $19.44 good value?

At $19.44 per person, this is priced as an accessible evening activity rather than a premium theatre production. I see the value in the combination of a live performer, a small setting, audience participation, and a clear 90-minute running time.

The price works especially well for families comparing several Blackpool attractions. You are paying for an evening that feels more personal than a standard stage show, while still keeping enough time for other plans. If you add drinks from the bar, your final spend will be higher, but the ticket itself remains straightforward.

Value also depends on what you want from the night. If you enjoy being part of a performance, the close-up format makes the ticket more appealing. If you prefer a large spectacle with elaborate scenery, music, and special effects, this show may feel modest by comparison.

I would also note the strong customer satisfaction attached to the experience: it has a 4.9 rating from 108 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it. That does not remove the need to match the format to your family, but it supports the idea that the show delivers what it promises: an enjoyable, interactive magic night.

Who should book this Blackpool experience?

I would recommend it most readily to families with children who enjoy puzzles, tricks, comedy, or the possibility of appearing on stage. It also suits grandparents, parents, and children travelling together because the show is designed for a wide age range rather than one narrow group.

It is a good pick if you want:

• A short evening activity in central Blackpool
• A show where children can take part
• A mix of magic and comedy
• A venue with drinks available
• Entertainment that does not take up the whole night
• A family experience with a personal, small-room feel

I would be more cautious if your children are very young and likely to need a quiet environment, or if anyone in your group dislikes attention from a performer. Participation is encouraged, and the show’s appeal comes partly from that direct contact.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience is near public transport, which makes it practical if you are not driving around Blackpool. Specific venue access details beyond that are not provided, so contact the provider if your group has particular mobility needs.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book, along with a mobile ticket. The start time is 7pm, and the experience provider is Russ Brown’s House of Secrets.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancelling later than that, or making changes within the final 24 hours, does not qualify for a refund.

The experience requires a minimum number of people. If that minimum is not reached and the show is cancelled, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Since the show is popular and is booked about 15 days ahead on average, I would not leave it until the last evening of a busy school-holiday trip. Book early if the 7pm slot is important to your plans.

Should you book Russ Brown’s House of Secrets?

Book it if you want friendly, interactive magic in a small central Blackpool venue, especially if your children would enjoy helping with a trick or being part of the show. The $19.44 ticket price, 90-minute length, bar, and convenient start time make it an easy evening to add to a holiday.

Skip it if your family wants a silent, formal performance with no audience involvement. For everyone else, this is a practical and good-value choice, with enough comedy and variety to keep the evening moving and enough personal contact to make it feel different from a standard theatre show.

FAQ

Where does the magic show take place?

The show takes place at Russ Brown’s House of Secrets in central Blackpool.

What time does the show start?

The advertised start time is 7pm.

How long does the show last?

The performance lasts approximately 90 minutes.

What type of magic is included?

The show includes close-up magic, illusions, stage magic, comedy, and audience participation.

Is the show suitable for children?

Yes. It is presented as a family show for children and adults, with children encouraged to become involved in parts of the performance.

Can I buy drinks at the venue?

Yes. The venue has a well-stocked bar, but drinks are an additional expense.

Can children stay at the venue after the performance?

Children can stay at the venue until 10:30pm if you want to remain there after the show.

Is the venue easy to reach?

The venue is easy to find in central Blackpool and is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refundable.