Theatre Review: Magic Goes Wrong

There was a delightful end-of-term feel to this show. It was few days before the last performance and the cast were clearly having a lot of fun heckling back at the unruly audience. If you've seen any of the "Goes Wrong" shows on TV, you'll know exactly what to expect. A group of over-enthusiastic but under-equipped performers attempt the impossible and fail in a variety of stunning ways.

It was a heady mix of pantomime, farce, silliness, and genuinely lovely magic. Having seen Penn and Teller live in Vegas several years ago, it was interesting to spot the tricks and tropes that they brought to the show.

I never got to see Tommy Cooper live. But I wore out the videotapes I had, watching him fail at trick after trick until - miraculously - he pulled off something incredible. That's exactly what I got from Magic Goes Wrong. Everything fell apart until - as if by magic - it all came together.

I've seen the Mischief troupe a few times, and it is very welcome that they've become a bit more diverse in the last few years. Every cast member seems thoroughly happy to debase themselves in the name of comedy. Every line is delivered as though they are a Serious Actor™ which just amps up the giggles from the audience. Which, naturally, means that the end is perfectly sentimental without being schmaltzy.

The show is on tour now throughout the UK and, if you're in need of a laugh during these dark times, I urge you to grab a ticket.