Review: The Mesmerist

The Mesmerist is more of a theatrical event than a traditional play, bringing to life the spontaneous, rough and ready atmosphere of the old music hall and vaudeville acts, but lacing that glorious entertainment with tantalising crumbs of plot and some darker, sinister themes. The story revolves around our host, the affable and charming Rufus Hound, who rediscovers his emotional connection to his recently deceased grandfather by resurrecting his old stage show. He transforms a garage full of cardboard boxes, ancient props and dusty notebooks into the show we, the audience, are witnessing. 

It's a wonderful premise, mesmerising enough in itself as it combines familial trauma, career stress, mystery and discovery into one tantalising package. But once Hound starts enacting the tricks and illusions themselves, the performance takes on a whole extra level of playfulness, surprise and invention. I particularly enjoyed how central Watford and the Palace Theatre felt to the whole narrative. It made the entire auditorium vibrate with the pulse of ghosts being summoned and history unearthed.

The most enjoyable element of the evening was Hound's effortless interaction with the audience. He builds instant rapport, and is a warm and generous host with a quick and friendly wit. Dressed in suit and waistcoat he looks every stitch the traditional stage magician, and ambles round with a casual ease that belies the inevitable and necessary precision of the illusionist's craft.

The set is very cleverly constructed. A simple V-shaped backdrop makes everything feels open and transparent, as if announcing there's nothing hidden up any metaphorical sleeves, but at the same time it's stuffed full of artefacts and memorabilia connected to the grandfather‘s show, creating an overall sense of Derren Brown bookishness mixed with the Victorian museum of curiosities. Timely projections also help guide us through the show structure and provide corroborating evidence for important story elements, building the narrative context.

Thoughtfully directed by Watford Palace Theatre Artistic Director Steve Marmion, this is a wonderful production which amuses, entertains and surprises. Although ostensibly about hypnotism and illusion, it’s also a show about humour and human connection. The magic tricks are impressive, but it's the way Hound spontaneously riffs and banters with the audience that will stay with me longest. Truly mesmerising.