The Evolution of Magic is one of Blackpool’s most popular live magic shows, combining visual illusions, mind-reading and powerful storytelling. This performance is perfect for fans of magic, families and couples.
The performance takes place inside the intimate theatre, the Horseshoe, at Pleasure Beach Resort and has done so for the past decade. The performance is made up of the mystifying duo Elizabeth Best (BGT Semi-finalist) & Craig Christian.
The pair have travelled the world, with their tricks and illusions taking them as far as Thailand, Germany and Romania.
Review by Richard Lambert
Prepare to question everything you see. This is an evening of illusion that blends cabaret, comedy, storytelling and genuine jaw-dropping magic into a thoroughly entertaining family night out.
The show is staged in the Horseshoe Bar, an intimate cabaret venue that’s the perfect setting for an evening where anything can happen. With cabaret tables, tiered seating and a runway stage stretching into the audience, everyone feels close to the action. Fancy a drink? Simply scan the QR code on your table and it’ll be delivered straight to you. There’s even a snack bar serving hot dogs, making it easy to settle in before reality starts to bend.
Audience participation is woven seamlessly into the show, and the cast make everyone feel part of the experience. The runway extends directly into the audience, with performers regularly stepping off the stage and into the crowd. At one memorable moment, an audience member is “invited” onstage by Elizabeth. Although “invited” may be stretching it slightly… Elizabeth simply points, and with military precision her chosen volunteer obediently heads for the stage. Resistance is clearly futile!
With just three performers, a technician and front-of-house manager, it’s a remarkably small team creating a production that feels far bigger than its size. Charlotte, billed as the “Magic Technician”, glides across the stage with confidence, style and a wonderfully glamorous presence. Chris immediately puts the audience at ease with his warm Northern charm, balancing humour with effortless showmanship.
Then there’s Elizabeth.
If the name sounds familiar, she’s the performer who famously terrified Amanda Holden on Britain’s Got Talent—and after seeing this show, it’s easy to understand why. Elizabeth effortlessly shifts from warm, engaging storyteller to commanding illusionist with nothing more than a change in music and a glance. One moment she’s smiling inches away from you; the next she’s vanished. Throughout the evening she appears and disappears with astonishing speed, leaving the audience constantly questioning what they’ve just witnessed. Her storytelling gives the illusions real emotional weight, making them feel like more than clever tricks—they become moments you’ll still be talking about afterwards.
The variety of illusions keeps the show moving at a cracking pace. There’s everything from sleight of hand to larger theatrical illusions, each delivered with humour and personality. A routine involving borrowed rings generated a stream of wonderfully cheeky innuendos. As phrases like “your ring is on your finger” came thick and fast, I found myself giggling long before everyone else caught on. It’s a family show, of course, so perhaps my mind was wandering!
Choosing a favourite isn’t easy, but the beautifully crafted Puzzle Story and the haunting Sands of Time sequence were standout moments. The birdcage illusion was another genuine showstopper, while Elizabeth‘s seemingly impossible entrances and exits never lost their impact.
Not every section landed quite as strongly. Some of the close-up magic relied heavily on the live video screens rather than allowing the audience to see the action directly, making those moments feel slightly less immersive than the larger theatrical illusions. Sound levels were generally well balanced, although the amplified close-up sections occasionally felt a touch overpowering.
Visually, however, the production is superb. Making excellent use of now-obsolete AR111 down-lights, par cans, moving fixtures, haze, fog and UV effects, the lighting design creates atmosphere rather than simply illuminating faces. Rich shadows, dramatic colour and carefully crafted moods elevate the performance into something dramatic, giving every illusion maximum impact.
This is more than a magic show—it’s immersive theatre wrapped in mystery, humour and spectacle. Whether you’re eight or eighty, there’s something here to amaze you. Bring the children, the grandparents, your friends or simply your sense of wonder.
A brilliantly entertaining evening where the impossible feels entirely possible. Don’t miss it.
Show commences at 7:30pm
95 minutes including a 15-minute interval
Tickets click here