THERE can’t be many shows in which the performers don’t mind if the audience leaves at the interval.

But TV’s top magicians Barry and Stuart are expecting some of those attending their latest theatre production, Show and Tell, not to be around for the second half.

For the first time, the Scottish duo will be performing a series of breathtaking, unique illusions in the first half and then in the second showing the audience exactly how it was done.

“There will be some people who don’t want to know how we did it,” said Stuart.

“They want to retain the element of wonder and not knowing and that is absolutely fine. We do say at each show that if you don’t want to know the secrets of the show, then don’t come back for the second half.”

Show and Tell, which comes to Colne Muni on Wednesday was one of the hot tickets at last year’s Edinburgh Festival.

“This is the most experimental show that we have done,” said Stuart, “and there is a slight element of risk in it.”

Barry adds: “We did think long and hard about revealing how we do every trick in the show. Some of them took several years to perfect and here we are giving the secrets away.

“But in the end we felt it was about integrity and connecting with our audiences.”

“We’ll just have to start working on some new ideas for the next show,” laughed Stuart.

For magicians to give away their secrets is virtually unheard of. Members of the Magic Circle are kicked out if they do.

“That’s why we’re not members of the Magic Circle,” said Stuart.

“The response we have had from the audiences so far has been extremely positive. It is almost by letting them in on the secrets that they have become part of an exclusive club.

“The thing is, all the tricks and illusions are our own, ones which we have devised and created. We would not give away the secrets of anyone else’s act.”

Barry and Stuart were the stars of the hit Saturday night TV show The Magicians in which they teamed up with various celebrities against other magicians to avoid being made to do a forfeit by the audience.

The pair were clearly popular, only once having to face the dreaded forfeit.

“I think that had something to do with the celebrities we were paired with,” said Barry.

“The forfeits such as lying on a bed of nails were all genuine and the celebrities did not know what they would be doing until the live show.”

As the pair prepare to bring Show and Tell to East Lancashire they are totally committed to the concept of Show and Tell.

Stuart said: “For the first time we are being real on stage and we hope that in doing so people will come out of the show knowing us a bit better and feeling inspired.”

Show and Tell with Barry and Stuart, Colne Muni, Wednesday, May 30. Details from the box office on 01282 661234