Mind Mangler, Keith (performed by Henry Lewis), is a mentalist, a human lie-detector, an expert at prophesy, a man who can read your mind. As this show comes from the crazy team at Mischief Productions who also devised the hugely successful The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, it’s not long before the Mind Mangler’s tricks spiral into chaos. Lewis is an imposing figure with a sonorous voice that is perfect for this role. He exudes misplaced self-confidence in his abilities, while recognising that his past is not without its flaws. A lot of flaws. This is a performer with huge aspirations to play Las Vegas but who fate will undoubtedly and inevitably kick to the end of the pier.
There’s a lot of audience participation, from revealing personal secrets to mixing up Rubik cubes and providing fodder for a running hypnotism gag. Jonathan Sayer plays the stooge Audience Member, and Another Audience Member, pretending not to know Mind Mangler. The comic timing between the two is impeccable, the jokes are silly and hysterically funny, and there’s a brilliant final “How did he do that?” twist at the end. An off-stage unseen and anarchic teleprompter operator adds to the mayhem. The reveal of personal secrets skit goes on a little too long though and there’s some language in the show that isn’t suitable for children. Otherwise, Mind Mangler, Member of the Tragic Circle is an excellent show that fills the auditorium with genuine belly-laughs. Alongside this laughter, there are also moments of desperation and embarrassment, which both adds to the audience’s empathy for the character and confirms Samuel Beckett’s view that “We do find the pain of others amusing.”
Director Hannah Sharkey makes great use of a roving camera, plus video clips on a huge rear screen. She skillfully avoids the temptation of overusing the technology. Helen Skiera’s sound is at perfect pitch, loud and booming for the Mind Mangler but not overbearing.
This is a fast-paced show, not without moments of pathos, chock-full of hilarious attempts at magic and mind-reading. Open your mind and prepare for it to be mangled.
Mind Mangler, Member of the Tragic Circle is at the Apollo Theatre until Sunday, 28th April. Tickets are on sale at: https://theapollotheatre.co.uk/tickets/mind-mangler-member-of-the-tragic-circle/
Reviewer: Carole Gordon
Reviewed: 21st March 2024
North West End UK Rating: