There are numerous bars and restaurants providing karaoke and live music on the coast but one thing that many people comment on when they come to the Costa del Sol is the seeming lack of a ‘family show’ for an evening of entertainment.

Occasionally a singing star such as Lionel Richie or Julio Iglesias might appear for one or two nights in one of the well-known 5 star Marbella hotels but this is often very expensive and not really suitable for an informal evening out especially if you want to take the family.

One show which I can recommend for all the family is the International Magic Show which can be seen in the Sala Fortuna, Hotel Casino Torrequebrada which is situated beach side on the A7 /N340 coast road at the Fuengirola end of Benalmadena Costa.
Oscar, Renzo and Mara, the stars of the show, are three young Dutch magicians aged 26, 24 and 25 respectively who have been performing together for 11 years. They formed a group called Magic Unlimited in 1996 with the intention of combining spectacular illusions and magic with contemporary music and dance.

The good looking and talented threesome became popular after numerous shows on TV and at conventions and were asked in 1999 to perform at a gala event in the USA which culminated in them performing at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
From then on they have performed for television audiences all over America and Europe.
In Paris they were awarded the “Mandrake d’Or” which is an international award for achievement for illusionists. In Holland they have huge celebrity status and have performed many shows on TV at peak viewing time.
They are regular guests in theatres and TV shows all over Europe and they are now performing three times a week on the Costa del Sol for the summer season.

The show itself is quite spectacular with impressive stage lighting and sound.
Oscar, Renzo and Mara perform many fantastic illusionary tricks with swords, knives, boxes, and even separate body parts! They also include some interesting and clever variations of illusion and mime. Incorporated in their act are moments of comedy as well as beautiful movement particularly from Mara. As well as grand scale illusion they perform ‘magic tricks’ with cards, coins and scarves. All three of the stars include audience participation in their act, which is good fun for the participants and not embarrassing!
The room where the show is performed is large and beautifully appointed with an informal layout of individual tables which can be an intimate table for two or a family table for six. The stage is very large and impressive.
There is a waiter/waitress bar service and drinks are more expensive than local bar prices but the same as most luxury hotel bar prices and served with peanuts!

Whilst you are seated and waiting for the show to begin a magician visits your table and performs many different card tricks. (Despite being totally focused on what he was doing and him standing immediately in front of me at my table I still couldn’t work out how he did any of the tricks!)

The show is performed three nights a week – Wednesday and Saturday at 19.00 hours and Sunday at 22.00 hours and lasts 1hour 45 minutes including a short break.

To reserve seats telephone 0034 677245588 – you pay for the seats when you arrive at the show.
Payment is by cash only. The ticket office opens 1 hour before the beginning of the show.
The night I went it was possible to get seats without reservations but during July and August it is recommended that you reserve your seats as they do have coach parties booking large numbers of seats.

The cost is 28 euros for adults. Children under 13 and adults over 65 pay 22 euros.
There are VIP tickets which cost 45 euros and this includes seats at the front of the stage, a free drink and free DVD and programme of the show.
At the end of the show Oscar, Renzo and Mara mix with members of the audience as they leave and sign autographs for the children.
All in all a very pleasant evening of family entertainment, which might make even the most cynical believe in Magic!