The Mesmerist is a totally unique meta-theatrical experience that blends storytelling, magic, stand-up, and drama, as Rufus Hound delves into his family history following the death of his estranged grandfather. Hound's indifference towards a man he never really knew begins to change as he learns more about him through journals and a collection of magic tricks and illusions now stored in his mother's garage. His grandfather was an aspiring magician who never quite made it, and Hound sets out to recreate the show his grandfather never completed.
What makes this production even more compelling is the raw vulnerability Hound brings to the performance. The audience is taken on a roller-coaster of emotional intrigue as the story unfolds through anecdotes, tricks, laughter, and illusions. Yet throughout the evening we are reminded that this is, after all, an illusion… or is it?
The challenge in writing this review is ensuring that nothing is revealed that might spoil the experience of watching the evening unfold. While the show has its roots in a true story, there is a reason you do not receive the programme until you leave the theatre. The narrative has been carefully honed with the assistance of four writers — Maheni Arthur, Georgia Crowther, Lancelot Ellis, and Chris York — helping shape both the flow of the show and its dramatic climax. However, knowing this should not distract from what the show ultimately is: pure theatrical genius.
One minute you are laughing; the next you are gasping in amazement. The show delivers everything a magic performance should — mind-reading, escapology, illusions, audience participation, and even the famous trick of sawing a woman in half. There is a fascinating unpredictability to the evening that leaves you wondering how polished the show truly is and what might be deliberate or orchestrated. This uncertainty keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, creating genuine suspense and even a sense of danger in the hands of a seemingly novice magician.
Hound's delivery is undoubtedly the star of the show. His mastery as a performer is extraordinary — imagine a combination of Houdini, P. T. Barnum, and Heston Blumenthal, as this show feels like theatrical alchemy.
Although essentially a one-man show, the wider creative team deserves recognition. Steve Marmion's staging and direction, like the writing itself, is far more complex than it first appears. Jasmine Swan's set design creates the perfect atmospheric setting, while Philip Gladwell's lighting design heightens both the tension and the sense of mystery that runs throughout the evening.
While I cannot share every moment of my experience, I hope there is enough here to persuade you to book a ticket, because this truly is a show not to be missed. Rarely have I witnessed an audience so completely captivated — holding their breath one moment and laughing the next.
I left the theatre both euphoric and bemused, questioning what had been reality and what had been illusion, and asking myself one simple question: “How on earth did he do that?”
Rufus Hound, I take my hat off to you. It was a privilege to witness this truly outstanding production. You are a genius, and this show is pure magic.
Runs until 21st March.
Review: Claire Hogan Photo: Ross Kernahan