Comedy Close-Up Magic Lounge

Max Francis is running his Comedy Close-Up Magic Lounge inside BOX Nottingham on Thurland Street, and it's set up as a proper date-night sort of thing. The whole point is that there's no stage and no distance between you and the performer; you're sitting in a lounge, and the audience is part of the show. Francis blends stand-up comedy with close-up sleight of hand, so it's as much about the jokes as it is about the tricks. Each performance runs for around an hour, and they're limited to a maximum of 16 guests, which means every seat is front row and you're sitting just inches from the action. The room is styled like a private members club, with sophisticated drinks on hand, and the act itself mixes comedy, psychological entertainment, sleight of hand and mind reading. It's recommended for ages 16 and over.

There are plenty of slots to choose from, so you can fit it around your week. On Thursdays and Fridays, there are two evening shows: one from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and another from 8:00 to 9:00 PM. Saturdays have three: a 2:00 PM matinee, a 3:30 PM follow-on, and an 8:30 PM evening show. The dates listed are 23-24 and 30-31 October, then 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28 November, so there's a good run of them across the next few weeks. Tickets are £35 per person, and you're advised to arrive 30 minutes before showtime.