dickens parlour theatre

The Dickens Parlour Theatre is a small (50 seat?) magic theater just outside Bethany. During the summer months they hold daily show with a revolving cast of top notch magicians. Shows are great for the whole family - not too focused on the kids that adults can't have fun - and not adult where you worry that it's inappropriate for kids.After the show, you're invited to join everyone is the main house for dessert and table side close-up magic. GO! GO! GO! It's really a wonderful evening.

We drove from Rehoboth with a 9 & 11 year old to see this show. All of us loved it! We were completely entertained, enjoyed the showmanship and were amazed at the tricks. We especially liked the after show where the magicians do slight of hand tricks with cards ( at least that is what they used when we were there) and go to each table to preform just for you. Delicious desserts and drinks ( I think just wine, beer, water and soda) are available. Must enjoy! We went to some play about magic that was much more expensive and much less interesting. This is a must see. Worth every penny!

Asi Wind was the most unbelievable Magician we have ever seen. His "tricks" defied logic and were absolutely amazing! We spend most of the evening with our mouths open and a puzzled look on our face.His show after the main show - which was held in the Parlor - was even more unbelievable. This is with him sitting a large table with many peoples around him and his card tricks blew us away.Would recommend everyone who likes magic, see Asi Wind next year or whenever you can. You will not be disappointed.Brian and Gloria Geary

Dickens Parlour Theatre is the best hidden gem at the beach! My family and I have been coming to Bethany for the past 4 years and just discovered it. It's set back amongst trees and may not look like much from the road but looks can be deceiving. It has an elegant, old-school Vaudeville feel to it. The theatre is intimate and nicely maintained. I applaud the performers even more since they are doing magic pretty up close. We saw Mark Phillips, who was amazingly talented and also funny. Adults will enjoy just as much as the kids!After the performance you can partake of desserts and drinks next door in the parlour. Prices are reasonable (in my opinion) for the menu items, as well as the performance. They do not have their own kitchen, so a company brings in the food. The chocolate cake was very rich but good. My husband had peanut butter pie that he really enjoyed. The performer came out to do another trick while there, and the assistant manager, who is a hoot, also performed some tricks. Everyone we encountered was welcoming and great to talk to. We will definitely be returning in the future! Dickens Parlour Theatre is a special, one-of-a-kind, not to be missed experience.

Attended performance 7/15. Because it was raining, the audience assembled in the parlour prior to the performance. Crowded and not enough seating for all. Since a broken bottle or glass in the theatre could be hazardous, the staff provides paper/ plastic containers for patrons to take their unfinished drinks/ coffee into the theatre. This is our third time here, and the featured Magician Mark Phillips was quite good. This audience had many more children in attendance than our previous visits. The performer only invited children on stage. Performers are usually here for a week, and with the featured performer changing on Wednesday. The show starts at 7 pm. Reservations are recommended - may be required. They have rainy day matinees at 2 pm (folks need something to do if it's raining at the shore!). Don't miss returning to the Parlour after the show. The table magic is just as fun and amazing (maybe more so) than the show itself. Especially if you are chosen to participate. For some reason the featured performer stayed for autographs, but did not perform any table magic. Jay, who also served as master of ceremonies did the "after show". He is not only talented, but a real character and lots of fun. In our visits the 2 prior summers, we were fortunate to have excellent featured magicians, and our first year the owner Rich Bloch was in the house and also performed table magic. The staff are all very nice and accomodating. This is a great time for anyone. It's natural to cater to kids in the audience, but as a group of adult friends, we felt a bit neglected.Approximately 1 hour show. Highly recommend attending optional gathering after show where table magic is performed. Get a soft drink, cocktail, coffee. Perhaps a dessert.

I just returned from Brian Curry's magic show at Dickens Parlour. I took my five year old son and we had an amazing time. We got there just in time to go into the show. The hosts could not have been nicer. They bagged up some complimentary popcorn for my son, which won him over immediately. We were both apart of the show, which was a lot of fun. Like another review mentioned, we were not at a specific kid show but my son really enjoyed the show none the less. It was a perfect family show. After the show, we returned to the entry and enjoyed some simple desserts and drinks. While there, the magician came out along w others and performed some tricks at our table. This was a great piece and one that you can't miss. My son was even given a trick to take home and share w family and friends. He was thrilled. The cost was just right and worth every penny. The food costs were also appropriate. I could not say anything negative about it.

Off the beaten path (20 minutes from Rehoboth) in Bethany Beach, this theatre has national magicians. I must preface this mediocre review to say the hosts and magician Max Major were GREAT! There is a café that offers drinks and dessert prior the show. Although we didn't have time to have dessert in advance of the performance, we ordered drinks because we were told we could take them into the theatre. Beer, wine, cocktails, coffee & tea are available. When we asked for water, we were given two glasses of ice and two plastic bottles of water. This was off-putting because we don't like disposable bottles of water. When we were ready to take our coffee drinks and wine with us to the theatre, we were told we could NOT take glass with us. They provided plastic cups to pour our drinks out of the glasses. Wasteful. And, who wants to drink wine out of plastic?The actual theatre is very cozy and nicely styled. The maître 'd was charming and funny. The performance was fantastic, plus the magician was very interactive with the audience.Following the show, guests are welcomed back to the café. Desserts are decent but nothing special. Service was slow with some errors in the orders. Regardless of the size of the party, an 18% gratuity is added to all bills. Desserts are served on disposable, plastic plates with plastic forks.A highlight of the night were the strolling magicians in the café. The headliner, Max Major, did parlour tricks for all of the tables. Additionally, there were two additional magicians doing tricks for all the guests.... This was great fun! Overall, I would highly recommend the theatre because of the excellent performers, just realize the service is spotty and the food is unmemorable.

Went to see Brian Curry recently with kids, who was excellent. Very intimate attractive theater with excellent magic performers. Performers will frequently chat with the audience before and after the show. Unique thing to do at the beach with children. Worth it.

We took our 5 grandchildren, ages 6 to 16, to Bethany during their spring break from school. On the way home we said "what was the best part ? They answered " do you mean counting the magic show or not counting the magic show or the best part of the magic show? in other words, all the other things we did never even came close to the fun they had at the Dickens Parlour Theater! And we were not there for the kids show, we were there on a regular night. As other reviewers have stated, there are two parts, the show and the after-show, and both are unique and fabulous! This is an experience not to be missed. Kudos to Rich and Susan Bloch for creating something so wondrous and special for all of us to enjoy.

We went to this cozy parlour theatre for the first time and were speechless after the performance. Asi Wind was the visiting performer and he was educational, entertaining and we are convinced, can read minds. The skeptics among us left believers! The show he put on was first class and probably better than anything you can see in Las Vegas! What a gem Rich Bloch and his wife Sue have in little Millville, DE near Bethany Beach. Can't wait to see other performers at the theatre and especially Asi Wind when he returns to perform.

We have been attending shows here for the past few years, and have always been highly entertained. Rich Bloch has enticed some quality performers to come down (and puts on a superb show himself when he is the headline act). The shows at 7PM are clever and amusing and innovative (not just a rehash of standard fare), fun for adults and children alike. After the show, you should head to the building next door, where you can have a passable dessert, but the chance to see some of the displays, and watch some close-up magic at your table, make this an opportunity that should not be passed up. I should add that he recently had a 9PM show with Asi Wind, billed as a mindreader which is a poor description of his act (this is not one of those 'You are holding a watch' acts), which was totally unique and incredible, and you should try and catch him wherever he may be performing; I have never seen anything like him

Magician Rich Bloch and his wife bring excellent performers to their cozy little theater near the beach. The magic shows are fabulous. Dinner after the show often features up-close magic from the performers. We've been to five shows in the last couple of years, and we'll keep going back. You will be amazed!

Rich Bloch and his wife has taken nothing and made something wonderful out of it. A lawyer and professional magician, Rich has converted a large garage and nearby house into a tasteful magician's theater setting for kids from 1 to 92. He has attracted quality magicians from all over to perform for the local audience and occasionally Rich performs himself. The adjacent coffee house offers after show refreshments.We have been most impressed by the quality of multiple performances. Seating is good and since there is no place to hide, those afraid of magic applying to them personally should stay away!A must stop for kids if you are in the Southern Delaware area, and the price is very reasonable. you won't be disappointed! SEE http://www.dptmagic.com/

Great experience - Will Fern is a fantastic performer & the "finale" was awesome! Would go back again to catch a show in the theater. Cocktails available for purchase.

This is a small intimate theatre about three miles West of Bethany Beach, Delaware, on Route 26. Each week, they have different magicians perform in the 50 seat theatre. Not a bad seat in the house. The family friendly show lasts about one hour to one and a half hours.The show that we attended was performed by Will Fern (www.willfern.com) who has performed all over the world. His slight of hand tricks were excellent. There is a great deal of humor and audience participation. Well worth the $20 (adult) ticket price. On Saturday afternoon they have a children's magic show.In addition to the Magic shows they also they have film festivals and concerts.They offer dinner (additional cost) before the show and dessert and adult beverages after the show.