I lastly make my Mischief debut with the entertaining Thoughts Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle, now enjoying on the Apollo Theatre
“Don’t let me affect you”
Ever one to be forward of the curve, that is really my first Mischief present, the extraordinary success of the …Goes Flawed franchise while vastly spectacular by no means actually having appealed to me. Nor have I seen many magic exhibits both however having been tickled by Unbelievable final yr, I made a decision to take up the chance to see Thoughts Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle, now resident on the Apollo Theatre.
A spin-off of a personality from Magic Goes Flawed, Thoughts Mangler manages a canny balancing act between comedy and magic, mixing in an enormous quantity of viewers participation (keep away from the stalls in case you’re shy and retiring) and technological wizardry with improvised riffing on the responses of the fortunate few thrust into the highlight. Plus there’s all of the magic that goes unsuitable, in addition to the magic that goes proper.
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, the present is at its finest on the sting of the absurd, with rapid-fire gags rolling off the stage. The animal impressions, Quickfire Jesus, the compelled mike responses, the spoon bending and a lot extra moreover. The viewers participation has impressed moments too (when you’ve suspended a contact of the disbelief), resulting in any variety of hilarious callbacks.
There’s additionally a story thread by the present too. Lewis’ Thoughts Mangler, aka Keith, is severely down on his luck and as Sayer’s Stooge retains popping up as an enthusiastic viewers member, an efficient melodrama performs out between them. Mockingly, the factor that was least profitable for me was the magic bits going ‘proper’, although that’s as a lot about my very own pure scepticism tbqh.
Hannah Sharkey’s route retains issues going at a pacey lick, Sara Perks’ day-glo-bright set nails the enjoyable tone simply so, with Gillian Tan’s video and David Howe’s lighting enjoying their very own invaluable elements.
Operating time: 2 hours (with interval) Pictures: Pamela Raith Thoughts Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle is reserving on the Apollo Theatre till twenty eighth April then excursions to Manchester Palace Theatre Fifteenth-18th Might, Cambridge Arts Theatre Twenty first-Twenty fifth Might, Birmingham The Alexandra Twenty seventh-Twenty ninth Might, Hull New Theatre thirtieth Might-1st June, Milton Keynes Theatre Third-Fifth Jun and Liverpool Empire Theatre Sixth-Eighth June
