REVIEW · BLACKPOOL
90 Minute Family Close-Up Magic and illusionism Show in Blackpool
Book on Viator →Operated by Russ Brown's House of Secrets · Bookable on Viator
A small show can still feel like the main event. Russ Brown’s House of Secrets brings close-up magic and stage illusions into an intimate Blackpool setting that works for kids and adults. You get a fun night out that doesn’t require a big plan—just turn up and be ready to react.
I really like the interactive style. When you’re close to the action, you’re not just watching—you’re part of the atmosphere, and the comedy helps everyone relax into it.
One consideration: this is a small, personal venue. If you’re expecting a massive theatre production, the scale will feel closer and more informal, which is great for many families but different from a traditional big show.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- Russ Brown’s House of Secrets: what makes this 90 minutes work
- Entering the venue and finding the show fast in central Blackpool
- Close-up magic and audience participation: the real experience highlights
- The bar, cocktails, and the real cost of a family night
- Kids staying until 10:30pm: turning the show into a whole evening
- Timing, duration, and what to do before and after
- Price and value: is $19.44 worth it?
- Who this show is for (and who might want to skip)
- FAQ
- FAQ
- What time does the show start in Blackpool?
- How long is the Russ Brown’s House of Secrets magic show?
- How much are tickets?
- Where is the show located?
- Are drinks included in the ticket price?
- Can children stay after the show ends?
- Do I need a printed ticket?
- Is it near public transportation?
- Is service animal access allowed?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Should you book this magic show in Blackpool?
Key takeaways before you go
- Close-up magic in an intimate room, so tricks feel personal
- Comedy plus audience participation, built for kids and adults
- Easy central Blackpool location, with the added comfort of a nearby bar
- Plan for about 90 minutes, then keep the rest of your night free
- Kids can stay until 10:30pm, handy if you want extra family time after
Russ Brown’s House of Secrets: what makes this 90 minutes work
Russ Brown’s House of Secrets is built around close-up magic, plus a mix of stage-style moments. The setting matters here. When you’re in the room with the performer, the tricks feel sharper and more believable, because you can see how close the action really is.
The show is described as a family evening with something for everyone. In practice, that means you get variety: close-range illusions, plus bigger moments that keep the energy up. On top of that, there’s a strong humor thread, so it doesn’t feel like a lecture or a lecture-style magic lesson—it’s light, fun, and built for smiles.
A big reason this style lands well is participation. The show clearly expects people to get involved, and it doesn’t just stick to one age group. That’s a good fit if you’re traveling with mixed ages or if you want the kids to feel like they’re part of the story, not just seated spectators.
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Entering the venue and finding the show fast in central Blackpool
The venue is in central Blackpool, and it’s set up to be easy to find. That matters on a family night out, because you don’t want to burn time hunting down directions before the main event starts.
The show starts at 7:00pm, and you’ll want to arrive with enough time to settle before the first trick. If you’re timing dinner, build in a little buffer. A calm arrival helps the kids feel ready, and it makes the beginning smoother for the whole group.
One practical perk is the well-stocked bar inside the venue. Adults who want a drink can grab one before and during the show. Just remember the bar purchases are an extra expense.
Close-up magic and audience participation: the real experience highlights
This is not the kind of magic show where you sit back and stare at a distant stage. It’s designed to feel close and personal, which is exactly why it can be so memorable for families.
Audience participation is part of the atmosphere. The show has a friendly, welcoming vibe, and the interaction is handled in a way that pulls kids in without making it stressful. In fact, the show is described as especially meaningful for shy children who may hesitate at first, then warm up once they see others getting involved.
Comedy is also not an afterthought. The humor helps you read the energy of the room quickly—think of it as a way to keep everyone relaxed while the magician switches gears from one illusion to the next.
And there’s extra entertainment value when the show includes a surprise special act from Britain’s Got Talent. Even if you’ve seen magic before, that kind of moment adds unpredictability, which is often what makes a trick feel fresh.
The bar, cocktails, and the real cost of a family night
The ticket includes admission, but drinks are extra. The bar is a real part of the night, and it’s mentioned as being well-stocked, with things like cocktails referenced in the overall experience.
So here’s how I’d think about value. The base price gives you a full 90-minute show with strong interaction and comedy. Your total cost depends on whether you add drinks, especially for adults and older kids who want something while they wait.
If you’re on a tighter budget, you can keep it simple: just show up early, have one drink (or none), and use the rest of your spending money for the free time after the show. The venue layout makes it easy to do that without feeling like you’re missing out.
Kids staying until 10:30pm: turning the show into a whole evening
One of the most helpful details for families is that kids can stay in the venue until 10:30pm if you want to hang around. That’s a practical advantage because it gives you flexibility.
Plan the show like a fixed anchor—about 90 minutes—and then treat the rest of the night as your choose-your-own-adventure time. This is especially handy if you have siblings, grandparents, or mixed schedules, because you can keep the group together longer instead of rushing out right after the final trick.
If your children get a burst of energy after the show, that extra time can help you burn off energy without instantly switching into a strict timeline mode. It also makes it easier to negotiate: you can say the show is the big planned part, then there’s still time to relax together afterward.
Timing, duration, and what to do before and after
The show runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes. With a 7:00pm start, that puts most families thinking about an end around 8:30-ish, depending on pacing and the pace of interaction.
After that, you’re essentially free to use the night as you like. That’s a major value point. Many family activities lock you into a longer schedule, but here the show is the main event and then you can decide what fits your energy level—street snacks, a seaside walk, or just heading back to wherever you’re staying.
One thing to consider: because the show is intimate and interaction-heavy, the kids may come out buzzing. If you’re planning a second activity right away, pick something easy and low-stress. If you want a calmer follow-up, leaving time for a snack or a walk is a smart move.
Also, the show is popular enough that it’s booked roughly 15 days in advance on average. If you have a specific night in mind, reserving earlier helps you avoid last-minute disappointment.
Price and value: is $19.44 worth it?
At $19.44 per person, this is priced like a straightforward family entertainment option rather than a premium event. What you get for that money is the full experience: close-up magic, stage magic moments, comedy, and audience interaction.
The best part for value is the format. Close-up magic in a small venue gives you more direct involvement than you’d typically get in a huge theatre where you’re far away. That makes your ticket feel more “active,” not passive.
It also helps that the show works across ages. It’s not billed as a narrow age-group performance. If you’re traveling with kids and adults in the same group, that matters because you’re not paying for separate attractions.
Your biggest value variable isn’t the ticket. It’s what you add on site—mainly drinks from the bar.
Who this show is for (and who might want to skip)
This is a strong fit if you want a family-friendly night with interaction and jokes. If your kids enjoy being part of what’s happening, this show is built for that.
It also suits groups where adults want entertainment that doesn’t talk down. Close-up magic can be just as fun for adults because it feels more immediate and less staged.
It may be less ideal if you want a big, purely visual production with no interaction. The format leans personal and hands-on. For some families that’s the whole point. For others, it can feel different from a traditional theatre show.
The show is also said to be suitable for most people to participate, and the venue allows service animals. If you’re planning a family outing that needs a welcoming setup, that’s reassuring.
FAQ
FAQ
What time does the show start in Blackpool?
The start time is 7:00pm.
How long is the Russ Brown’s House of Secrets magic show?
It’s listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are priced at $19.44 per person.
Where is the show located?
It takes place at Russ Brown’s House of Secrets in central Blackpool.
Are drinks included in the ticket price?
Admission is included, but drinks are available at the venue bar and are an extra expense.
Can children stay after the show ends?
Kids can stay in the venue until 10:30pm if you want to hang out longer.
Do I need a printed ticket?
No. It’s a mobile ticket experience.
Is it near public transportation?
Yes, it’s near public transportation.
Is service animal access allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Free cancellation applies if you meet that 24-hour window.
Should you book this magic show in Blackpool?
If you’re looking for a family activity that’s simple, fun, and built around participation, I’d book it. The close-up format, comedy, and welcoming atmosphere make it a strong choice for families who want kids involved—not just watching from the sidelines.
I’d also lean toward booking if you want an easy plan for your night. You get the show at 7:00pm, you get about 90 minutes of entertainment, and you’re then free to enjoy the rest of Blackpool on your own schedule.
If you’re chasing a huge, formal theatre spectacle with no interaction, this may feel too intimate. But if you want something that feels personal and genuinely entertaining for mixed ages, this is a very solid pick.
