Mind reading meets street-smart comedy. Impossible: Ottawa’s Magic & Mentalism delivers 18+ entertainment with sharp, funny stage work from Michael Bourada. It’s the kind of show that plays with attention, memory, and surprise in equal measure, so you’re never just watching tricks.

What I like most is the mix of laugh-out-loud humor and mind-blowing mental feats that feel built for adults, not kids. One thing to consider: the experience needs good weather, so if conditions are poor you may be offered a different date or a refund.

You start at 379 Preston St in Ottawa at 8:00 pm, and the show runs about 1 hour 20 minutes. With a maximum of 40 people and a mobile ticket, it’s an easy, low-hassle option for a date night or a fun evening out.

Key things to know before you go

• 18+ only: This is adult-focused magic and mentalism, not a family show
• Michael Bourada brings comedy and control: Clever feats paired with strong stage presence
• Audience interaction matters: You may be drawn in during the performance
• Small group size (up to 40): Helps keep the energy high and the show personal
• Mobile ticket: Less time spent figuring out paperwork
• 1 hour 20 minutes: Long enough to feel like a full show, short enough to fit your evening

The Big Attraction: Adult-Only Mentalism with Real Punchlines

This isn’t marketed as a kids magic show, and the age requirement backs that up. You need to be 18+, which usually means the humor, pacing, and style of the tricks are aimed at adults who enjoy being in on the joke.

The performer behind the show is Michael Bourada, and the reviews point to a clear combo: baffling magic plus a comedian’s timing. That matters, because mentalism can go one of two ways. Either it’s stiff and serious, or it’s playful and fast. Here, you get the playful side, and that helps the whole experience feel lighter even when the feats are genuinely mind-bending.

You’ll also hear a theme of devious deceptions. In plain terms, you’re not just watching hands move. The show leans on misdirection and thinking patterns, so the fun isn’t only in what happens, but in how the show convinces you something should be one way, right up until it isn’t.

Price and value: $35.13 is for a full show, not a gimmick

At $35.13 per person, you’re not shopping for a cheap roadside performance. This price is positioned as a ticket to a real evening of entertainment, around 1 hour 20 minutes long.

What makes it feel like value is the way the experience is described as a blend of amazing magic, mental feats, devious deceptions, and plenty of laughter. In the reviews, people also mention it as getting more than you expect from a standard magic ticket, including the feeling of getting multiple modes of entertainment in one program. When a show can keep your attention while switching gears between mentalism and comedy, it’s often worth paying a bit more than the bare minimum.

There’s also the small-group factor. A maximum of 40 travelers means you’re more likely to feel like the show is built for the room, not just projected to a crowd.

If you’re doing a budget night in Ottawa, you’ll want to pair this with a simple plan: dinner before the 8:00 pm start, then head straight to the meeting point. Since you’re not guessing about venue details beyond the address, you can keep your planning calm.

Where you’ll be: 379 Preston St and an easy 8:00 pm start

The starting point is 379 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N1, Canada. The experience starts at 8:00 pm, and it ends back at the meeting point.

That return-to-start detail sounds minor, but it matters for your night. You don’t need a second commute, and you can avoid stacking your evening with stressful logistics. The show is also described as near public transportation, which helps if you want to avoid parking hassles.

You’ll get a confirmation at booking, and you’ll use a mobile ticket. If you’ve ever shown up to an event with a blurry screenshot or a lost email, you’ll appreciate how straightforward this setup is.

One more thing: the show title can change. That doesn’t affect the core experience, but it’s worth knowing so you don’t get hung up if the name on your ticket differs slightly from what you expected.

The show itself: mental feats, misdirection, and audience moments

You should expect a performance that mixes magic and mentalism, with “laugh out loud” moments woven through. The reviews praise both the cleverness and the humor, which tells you the pacing likely stays lively instead of dragging into a serious lecture vibe.

Mentalism works best when you’re actively engaged. Here, multiple reviews highlight audience interaction as part of the fun. That’s a good sign if you like being entertained rather than just watching from a seat. It also explains why the show can feel so “personal” even when it’s only one performer.

At the same time, audience interaction is also something to consider if you’re the shy type. You might be asked to participate, and even if you can participate comfortably, the experience is designed to get you involved. If you prefer a fully hands-off show, you might find that aspect less appealing.

As for the magic itself, the show is described as leaving you dazzled—baffling and clever, with devious deceptions. In practice, that usually means you’ll see moments where you understand the method in theory, only to realize the method wasn’t the point. The fun comes from how the performer keeps control of attention, timing, and expectation.

And then there’s the comedian piece. Reviews mention great stage presence and jokes that land. When the performer can talk while performing mental feats, it reduces the awkward silence that can happen in purely technical magic. You stay in the experience from start to finish.

What the 1 hour 20 minutes means for your schedule

Time matters when you’re planning an evening in a city. This show runs about 1 hour 20 minutes, which is long enough to feel substantial but short enough to keep your night flexible.

Because it starts at 8:00 pm, it works as:

• a date night centerpiece
• a standalone fun activity if you’ve already done your daytime sightseeing
• an easy evening plan if you want something indoors and focused

You won’t be committing to a half-day outing. You can still have time for dinner and then wrap up without needing a late-night second plan. If you’re juggling multiple things, this duration is usually friendly.

Small group size: why up to 40 people can change the feel

The experience caps out at a maximum of 40 travelers. That number is small enough to create a noticeable difference.

In larger theater settings, you can end up feeling like you’re watching from far away—mentally engaged, physically distant. With a smaller group, the performer can pace the show to the room, and audience interaction becomes more workable. It’s exactly the kind of setup that supports mentalism, because mentalism often relies on attention and real-time reactions.

It also helps explain why reviews mention the interaction as a highlight. If the show format involves audience participation, a smaller group size makes that more effective and more fun.

Is this show right for you? A practical fit check

I’d put this show in the category of adult entertainment with a strong comedy layer. It’s best suited to people who:

• like magic and mentalism, especially the version that plays with perception
• enjoy jokes during performances
• don’t mind being part of the energy of the room
• want a focused evening that doesn’t turn into an all-night event

It may not be ideal if:

• you’re hoping for a family-friendly show
• you strongly prefer to sit back with zero chance of interaction
• you hate surprises where attention and expectation are deliberately challenged

Also, since the show is 18+ only, it’s an easy pass if you’re traveling with kids or teenagers.

Weather and minimums: plan a backup mindset

This experience requires good weather. That means if conditions are poor, it can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. There’s also a minimum number of travelers requirement, and if that minimum isn’t met, you’ll again be offered a different date or a full refund.

So the best move is to book with a little breathing room. If you’re in Ottawa for a tight schedule, consider whether you have another evening option that could work if this one gets shifted.

And since the experience is described as non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, it’s smart to only lock it in when you’re confident you can attend the scheduled time.

The booking rhythm: why being ready 30 days out helps

On average, this is booked about 30 days in advance. That suggests it’s popular enough that dates may fill. If you’re traveling during busier periods or you know you want a specific day, booking earlier is the safer bet.

The good news is the setup is simple: you get confirmation at booking, you use a mobile ticket, and the show runs on a clear start time at 8:00 pm.

In other words, you spend less time managing details and more time enjoying your night out.

Should you book Impossible: Ottawa’s Magic & Mentalism?

Yes, if you want a compact, adult-only entertainment plan that combines mentalism with real comedy. The standout points are the mixture of baffling feats and a performer who’s also funny, including strong audience interaction. If you’re the type who enjoys being fooled and then laughing about how it happened, this is likely a great fit.

Maybe not if you need a guaranteed hands-off experience, or if you’re traveling with someone under 18. And keep weather in mind since the show depends on good conditions.

If you’re looking for an 8:00 pm Ottawa activity that’s easy to attend, relatively short, and built around surprising, adult-friendly stage work, this is the kind of ticket I’d feel good recommending.

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