Review: MAGIC GOES WRONG, Mischief Comedy - Apollo Theatre
Photo credit: Helen Maybanks
Mischief Comedy have become synonymous in providing audiences with top tier theatrical comedy and high level performances for a number of years now with their “Goes Wrong” series and now post-lockdown, they’re splashing back onto the West End in chaotic abandon with their latest iteration of Magic Goes Wrong. The question: does it live up to the legacy of its predecessors? The answer: without question!
The setting: a magical fundraiser headed by the son of the late great “Sophisticato”, who’s desperately trying to step out of his father’s shadow but also honour his memory, who’s brought a long a slew of magical… talents? A mind reader who’s having housemate troubles, a patron who will do anything to ensure the magical show goes on, a fractious mother-daughter escapology act, a man that feels no pain, and an assistant who’s desperate to debut their big trick.
The show opens in full vaudeville aplomb with Genevieve Nicole leading the opening number as the exuberant and aggressively theatric Eugenia. Nicole provides classic on point vocals from the outset, with a myriad of expressions cementing herself as a queen of facial comedy. Although her part may not be the largest, Nicole makes her moments on stage shine with wit oozing out of her and a bevel so musical theatre that it deserves its own marquee!
Shane David-Joseph provides an excellent turn as our host Sophisticato, a master of dead pan humour, giving side-splitting moments of comedy as his fundraiser falls to pieces around him. Artistic Director of Mischief Comedy Henry Lewis, plays the not-so-virtuosic Mind Mangler with pin point accuracy. Now a seasoned (and award-winning) writer and stand up performer, Lewis is an absolute masterclass in audience interaction and punchline accuracy from start to finish. Lewis has the key to ensuring repetitive jokes land every time, when so many would fall into monotony.
The mother-daughter dynamic between Jane Milligan as Madame Escapade and Louise Beresford as Peg is a hilariously relatable watch for anyone who’s experienced a pushy parent who thinks they know best. Sydney K Smith makes a hilarious impact with Mickey as a hapless participant with genuine sincerity and natural humour. In their West End debut, Scott Hunter as magician’s assistant Mel has the audience in the palm of their hand from the start, oozing natural humour and theatricality creating wonderful chemistry with the other magician’s assistant, Martina, who’s given sensational feistiness and sarcasm by Nancy Zamit. Kazeem Tosin-Amore rounds off this incredible cast with a hilarious performance as the stunt magician The Blade who can’t feel any pain, demonstrating an innate understanding of physical comedy.
Mischief Comedy writers Henry Lewis, Jonathon Sayer and Henry Shields have created a fast paced and quick witted show that speaks to all comedy lovers, be it through physical comedy, one liners, or long set ups; and alongside Penn and Teller explore the beauty and the humour in the enigmatic art of live magic. Adam Meggido’s direction is smooth and seamless; it’s not easy to make planned chaos look like natural chaos, but he uses the dynamics of his cast and understanding of their innate capabilities to forge something truly special and authentically funny, and combined with movement by Ali James, creates some sublime slapstick moments. The icing on the cake are the costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by David Howe and the set by Will Brown which truly exude the magic show’s character.
The excellence of the cast, assembled by casting directors Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShane, and the production itself is merely heightened by the exceptional illusions created by infamous magical duo Penn and Teller, and magic consultant Ben Hart. This may be “Magic Goes Wrong” but when those illusions happen and you feel your breath leave your body, the magic most definitely goes right.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Duncan Burt
Magic Goes Wrong is currently booking at the Apollo Theatre until 27 February 2022, with tickets available here.
