The unstoppable machine that is Mischief Comedy is back in the West End, with another comedy show in residence for the next month at the Apollo Theatre.
Mind Mangler, subtitled Member of the Tragic Circle, is the latest creation of Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, joining The Play That Goes Wrong just down the road.
Lewis plays the title role of the exasperated and deluded magician who has the worst luck in the business; Sayer is the constant stooge and assistant, popping up as various ‘audience members’.
It’s a very funny show that inevitably has a bit of crossover with the Magic Goes Wrong production (written in collaboration with Penn and Teller) it is spun from, while retaining its roots of student mischief.
There are the standard sleight of hand tricks alongside a couple of clever pieces of ‘real’ magic. Lewis is a master of timing and the tragic (in both senses of the word), and his Mind Mangler‘s woes are hilarious.
On arrival, we are invited to fill out a card with a secret, which will form a lengthy part of audience participation. Clever, catchy, and chummy, this section thrives gleefully on the embarrassment of others.
Mischief thrive on chaos, blunders, jokes, and general silliness while foxing us with a genuine performative skill. Their shows are genuine frolics, full of wordplay, sight gags, and quick reactions.
It all looks easy, but it definitely is not, yet it still feels edgy, fresh, and energetic. It was good on this opening night to see those working flat out behind the scenes to make the show work brought on to the stage for the curtain call.
Director Hannah Starkey – who was my seat neighbour throughout the show – gives the show a strong focus and creative thrust while leaving room for improvisation as old magic chestnuts are firmly lampooned.
The lighting (David Howe), sound (Helen Skiera), music (Steve Brown, who sadly passed away recently), video (Gillian Tan), and various mishaps all contribute to an entertainment that will keep you chuckling.
Sara Perks’s set is both functional and glitzy, befitting a West End space and the need to fool and amuse us. This is a show that is occasionally naughty, but you can probably safety take your youngsters along.
Mind Mangler ticks all the boxes for a good, tight, mock-magic show with bursts of expressive energy and tantalising trickery.
It’s running at the Apollo until 28 Apr with tickets here and on other websites.
***.5
Image credit: Pamela Raith