Reviewed · LAS VEGAS MAGIC SHOWS
Paranormal – The Mindreading Magic Show at Horseshoe Las Vegas
Frederic Da Silva’s Paranormal is built around a simple Las Vegas question: are you watching magic, psychological suggestion, or something stranger? In a small theater at Horseshoe Las Vegas, he asks audience members to picture numbers, names, words, and objects, then produces answers that seem far too exact to be luck. I like the close-up setting and the way the show uses ordinary people instead of relying only on grand stage tricks.
I also like the reasonable $37.50 starting price, especially for a roughly 85-minute show, and the convenient 4:00 pm curtain before dinner or an evening flight. The main consideration is that audience participation is a major part of the act. If you strongly dislike being called on, choose your seat with care, and remember that the small theater may sell out.
Key points to know before booking

- Frederic Da Silva leads the show: The award-winning magician, mentalist, and hypnotist mixes predictions, suggestion, comedy, and personal stories.
- The theater is intimate: With roughly 300 seats, you are close enough to follow the details of the performance.
- The strongest moments involve real audience choices: A secret number, a word from a random book, a name, or an object in someone’s pocket can become part of the act.
- Four seating choices are available: You can match the ticket category to your budget rather than paying one flat price.
- The 4:00 pm start is useful: The show lasts about 1 hour 25 minutes, leaving time for dinner, gambling, or a later performance.
- Drinks cost extra: An in-house bar is available, but beverages, parking, and valet service are not included.
What Paranormal at Horseshoe Las Vegas is really like

A mentalism show asks you to watch people think. That sounds quiet on paper, but Paranormal turns private thoughts into public theater. Da Silva may ask someone to imagine a time, choose a number, think of a person, or select a word. The fun comes from seeing that hidden choice brought into the open.
This is not a traditional magic act built around a long line of colorful props. The supplied examples include guessing what someone has in a pocket, stopping a watch at a secretly chosen time, naming a word from a random novel, and identifying the person someone is thinking about. Those tests give the show a personal feel. The mystery is not just how a card moved. It is how a performer appeared to reach inside someone’s decision.
Da Silva also uses hypnosis and suggestion, so the evening has more variety than a string of number guesses. Comedy keeps the mood light, and his personal story gives the performance a human center. Several of the strongest reactions focus not only on the tricks, but also on his warmth, humor, and message of love.
You should come ready to play along. The show depends on interaction, and audience members may be invited to help onstage. That can be thrilling, especially if you want more than a passive night out. It can also make the experience less comfortable for anyone who prefers to sit quietly in the dark.
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Why the small theater matters

The Horseshoe venue is described as holding around 300 seats, which is small by Las Vegas standards. That size works in the show’s favor. Mentalism depends on seeing faces, hearing answers, and following the performer’s hands. A more intimate room helps you keep track of those details.
The setting also makes the performance feel less like a distant spectacle. You are watching a person work with another person, often only a short distance away. That closeness is valuable when Da Silva asks someone to make a private mental choice and then reveals it.
There is a practical tradeoff. A small theater has limited capacity, and same-day seats may not be available. One useful rule is to book ahead, especially if your Las Vegas schedule is fixed. The experience is booked about 14 days in advance on average, and the show has sold out on some dates.
Four seating categories let you control the cost. The exact arrangement of those categories is not specified here, so check the option shown at booking rather than assuming that every ticket provides the same view. At $37.50 per person, the entry price is modest for a full Las Vegas production, but the value depends on the seat category you select.
The 4:00 pm show fits neatly into a Las Vegas day
The listed start time is 4:00 pm. The performance itself lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, with the full experience described as approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. That makes it a practical choice for an afternoon plan.
I especially like this timing for three types of schedules:
- You want a show before dinner.
- You have an evening activity booked elsewhere.
- You are leaving Las Vegas later and want one final indoor attraction.
The timing also avoids the pressure of choosing between a late show and a long night. One hour and 25 minutes is enough time for a complete performance without taking over your evening.
The show takes place at Horseshoe Las Vegas, so you must make your own way there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The venue is near public transportation, which helps if you are not staying in the immediate casino area, but parking and valet fees are also separate.
Drinks are available at the in-house bar. That is convenient, but budget for them separately. The ticket covers the show, taxes, fees, and handling charges, not beverages.
The mentalism tests that make the show special

The most interesting part of Paranormal is the range of choices Da Silva uses. The examples provided are specific enough to show how the act works:
A hidden object: You may see Da Silva identify what someone is carrying in a pocket. This creates an immediate personal mystery because the item is chosen before the reveal.
A secretly imagined time: He may stop a watch at a time that someone visualized. This kind of act turns a simple object into a test of thought and timing.
A word from a random novel: A book-based prediction gives the performance a sense of open choice. The more random the selection appears, the harder the answer is to dismiss in the moment.
A person’s name: Naming someone you are thinking about is one of the most direct forms of mentalism. It also gives Da Silva a chance to build a story around the person onstage.
Numbers and predictions: Audience members have described number choices and predictions that matched with striking precision. One reported example involved a number between 1 and 100, followed by a freely given number that had already been written down.
You do not need to decide how the methods work. In fact, the show is more enjoyable if you allow yourself to watch first and analyze later. Skepticism is welcome, though. Da Silva’s act is designed to leave you asking if the explanation is psychology, preparation, illusion, probability, or something beyond those categories.
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Humor, hypnosis, and a warmer side
A mind-reading show can become dry if every moment is treated as a serious puzzle. Da Silva avoids that problem with humor and a quick pace. One especially memorable comic bit involved a person seeing English as Portuguese, an example of the playful way the show can use suggestion.
The pace matters. The performance is not just one long serious prediction. It moves through comedy, hypnosis, audience participation, and more dramatic demonstrations. That variety helps the 75-minute stage portion pass quickly.
The show also carries a personal and emotional thread. Da Silva shares parts of his own story, and the message of love has been an important part of the performance. If you want only technical magic, that material may feel less essential. If you like a performer who connects the tricks to a larger idea, it adds another layer.
A free meet and greet, autograph opportunity, and an additional one-on-one mind reading moment have also been offered after some performances. I would treat this as a welcome extra, not the main reason to buy a ticket, since the core booking information promises the stage show rather than a guaranteed post-show session.
Who will enjoy this most
I would recommend Paranormal to you if you enjoy:
- Close-range magic rather than giant visual spectacle
- Puzzles that keep you guessing after the curtain closes
- Comedy mixed with audience participation
- Performers with a strong personal connection to their craft
- A compact show that fits before dinner
- A lower-cost Las Vegas entertainment option
It works well for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can follow the mentalism and feel comfortable with public participation. The setting is intimate, fast-paced, and easy to fit into a day on the Strip.
I would hesitate if you want elaborate scenery, large dance numbers, or a purely visual production. This is a performer-led show. The central attraction is Da Silva’s ability to guide attention, build suspense, and make a thought appear visible.
You should also think about your comfort with uncertainty. Mentalism works best when you are willing to play along with the premise. You can remain skeptical, but a constant effort to expose every method may get in the way of the fun.
Is $37.50 a good value?

At $37.50 per person, Paranormal is priced below many major Las Vegas headliner productions. You get a complete show of about 85 minutes, and the ticket includes taxes, fees, and handling charges. That makes the cost easier to judge than a low advertised price that grows at checkout.
The value is strongest for visitors who want a focused activity rather than an all-night production. You can see the show, buy a drink if you wish, and continue with dinner or another plan. The 4:00 pm time also lets you spend the rest of the evening elsewhere.
Your final price depends on the seating option. Four categories are offered, so compare them before paying. If the cheapest seat is available and you care more about the performance than status, it should offer a solid budget choice. If you want the closest view or a preferred location, the higher category may be worth the extra cost in a small theater.
Parking, valet service, and beverages are not part of the ticket. Add those expenses if they apply to your plan.
Booking, weather, and practical details

A mobile ticket keeps the arrival process simple. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the theater is small and dates can fill, I would not wait until the afternoon of the show if this is an important part of your trip.
Most people can participate, but audience interaction is central enough that you should be ready for the possibility of being asked to join in. The show also requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.
The ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. That makes it wise to confirm your date, start time, and seating choice before booking. Do not buy it as a casual placeholder for a schedule that may shift.
Should you book Paranormal?
Book Paranormal if you want an intimate, funny, and slightly unsettling mentalism show where ordinary choices become the main event. Da Silva’s strongest tools are his timing, audience connection, and ability to make a number, name, word, or hidden object feel deeply personal.
The $37.50 price is fair, the 4:00 pm start is useful, and the roughly 300-seat room gives the show a close-up quality. Book ahead if you have your heart set on a particular date, and compare the four seating options before you pay.
Skip it if you want a huge production with spectacle in every direction or if audience participation makes you uncomfortable. For everyone else, Paranormal is a smart addition to a Las Vegas schedule, especially when you want something that keeps your mind working long after the applause.
FAQ
Where does Paranormal take place?
The show takes place at Horseshoe Las Vegas in Las Vegas, USA.
What time does the show start?
The listed start time is 4:00 pm.
How long does Paranormal last?
The experience lasts approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. The stage performance itself is listed as about 1 hour 15 minutes, followed by approximately 10 minutes at Horseshoe Las Vegas.
How much does admission cost?
The listed price is $37.50 per person. Four seating options are available, so the final price may depend on the category you select.
What does the ticket include?
The ticket includes admission to the selected seating category, along with all taxes, fees, and handling charges.
Are drinks and parking included?
No. Beverages are available for purchase at the in-house bar, while parking and valet fees are separate.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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