IF A magic formula works then why mess with it? And marvellous Mystique's opening night last Friday (May 18) proved the perfectly sharpened point.

A solid formula of eerie illusions, comedy capers and delicious dancers has kept things ticking over nicely at Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Horseshoe Bar for more than two decades.

The dancers line-up may change (and this year includes three new faces fresh from Phil Winston's Theatre Works) but the thrilling journey into a wonderful world of magic and mystery is always impressive and still stomach-churning at times!

Lithe ladies get crammed into boxes, dropped onto spikes, set on fire and have their arms sliced open by Master of Illusion Richard De Vere and still emerge unscathed and grinning from ear to ear.

Richard reigns supreme as always in black leather and survives being chainsawed in half with amazing ease.

Then there's the quick wit of compere Tom Bright, transforming into wacky and wonderful Wayne Daniels, the inept magician -- he really does deserve a bigger spot as does shaggy dog Schnorbitz.

Beautiful Bengal tiger cub Tariq Taboo celebrates a second season and there's a debut for songstress Nikita Scott Johns from the Paradise Room.

All in all another great evening's entertainment from the busy team of Stageworks Worldwide Productions with clever choregraphy from Nikki Alexander.

Mystique, produced and directed by Amanda Thompson, runs until November 4 with performances daily (except Mondays when Queen tribute band QE11 take over the room). For booking and further information call (0870) 4445588.

Richard De Vere and Schnorbitz will start an interactive wizard school on Saturdays in July inspired by the Harry Potter books.