01
Lloyd Barnes
Creator, performer and lecturer
After fifteen years inside the biggest companies in magic, Lloyd went independent and founded Fourth Floor, a training platform for magicians who care about the art.
01
The retreat
Hideout is for magicians and mentalists who want to go further than what is sold in shops. Over two days the hosts teach underground methods, the real work behind them, and strange and bizarre magic.
This is the very first HIDEOUT, so everyone in the room is there from the start. Numbers are kept deliberately small so that everyone gets proper time with the hosts. The exact venue is shared with those who pledge.
- Dates
- Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November 2026
- Location
- Liverpool City Centre
- Format
- Two days of workshops and lectures
- Estimated price
- £200 to £300 per person
- Edition
- The very first HIDEOUT
- Places
- Strictly limited
02
Programme
An optional evening to meet everyone, followed by two full days of teaching.
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Mon 2 NovEvening
Welcome dinner
OptionalFood and drinks with the hosts and the rest of the group before the retreat begins.
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Tue 3 NovAll day
Day one
Workshops and lectures on underground methods, and the real work that makes them play.
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Wed 4 NovAll day
Day two
Workshops and lectures on strange and bizarre magic, and how to perform it so it stays with people.
Optional
The Monday dinner
Monday 2 November, evening
The night before the retreat starts, we meet up for food and drinks.
It is a relaxed evening and a good chance to meet the hosts and the rest of the group before the teaching begins. Coming along is entirely up to you. If you are travelling in on the day, you will not miss any of the retreat itself.
The restaurant and timings are arranged together in the group chat closer to the date.
03
Your hosts
Three creators, each teaching the material they save for themselves.
01
02
Jake Keane
Founder of The Real Underground
A mentalist and esoteric researcher from Liverpool. Jake builds methods and tools that most performers never get to see.
03
Darren Close
Mentalist and deceptionist
Darren teaches material from his working shows, and the thinking that sits underneath it.
04
Price
Estimated at £200 to £300 per person, depending on how many people pledge. The more of us there are, the lower it is for everyone.
These figures are not final.
The slider is an illustration, there to show how the price falls as more people pledge. The final figure may not match it exactly.
Pledging costs nothing today. Once pledges close, the hosts confirm the final price with everyone who has pledged. A pledge does not guarantee a place. The price covers both days of workshops and lectures.
05
Practical
Help with the practical side, from where to stay to getting there.
Accommodation
If you need somewhere to stay, the hosts can help you find a hotel or apartment in the city at a reasonable price. Just let us know once you have pledged.
Private group chat
Everyone attending is added to a private group chat. We use it to plan the practical side together: booking meals, helping with accommodation, answering travel questions and sharing updates with you directly.
Venue
The retreat takes place in Liverpool City Centre. The exact venue is shared with everyone who pledges, along with the final price and timings.
06
Pledge your place
Pledging costs nothing today. Tell us who you are and why you would like to attend, and your details go straight to the hosts.
A pledge does not guarantee a place.
Places at HIDEOUT 2026 are strictly limited. Pledging registers your interest, and the hosts confirm who has a place once pledges close.
- 1Send your pledge using this form.
- 2Once pledges close, the hosts confirm who has a place, the final price and the venue.
- 3If your place is confirmed, you are added to the private group chat to plan meals, travel and accommodation.
Pledge received
Thank you. The hosts have your details and will be in touch once pledges close to let you know whether your place is confirmed, along with the venue and final price. A pledge does not guarantee a place.