BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – UNTIL SUNDAY 29TH MAY 2022
REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD
4****
Mischief who brought us the ‘goes wrong’ plays and also the famous magicians Penn and Teller they have put a twist to their ‘Goes Wrong’ masterpieces by adding magic into the mix.
From the moment you step into the auditorium you see the ‘stage hands’ setting up the scene starting the show off before it actually commences, the laughs start immediately, and so do the disasters!
We get introduced to ‘Sophisticato’ played by Sam Hill who is carrying on the family tradition being a magician and he is hosting a charity fundraiser for all performers who have lost their lives whilst carrying out some kind of act on the stage. This sets the scene for the evening. He introduces all the performers who will be taking part in the fundraiser and we then get treated to their individual acts that obviously are not going to go to plan.
We see the ‘Mind Mangler’ played by Rory Fairburn who can read peoples minds plus many other special talents. Lots of audience participation involved especially if you are sat within the first 5 or 6 rows of the stalls, so please don’t be shy.
‘The Blade’ played by Keifer Moriarty is addicted to danger and his act is to prove just how dangerous he can be, knives, rat traps and a water chamber all involved, what on earth could go wrong?
The final act are a duo, sisters Spitzmaus and Bar played by Jocelyn Prah and Chloe Tannenbaum, dancers and gymnasts that try to outdo each other thoughout the show, which one is the best?
A total of nine cast members that you see throughout the show and they are all as hilarious as each other in their own way. From the stage hands coming on carrying ladders to help fix something or clearing up the numerous white doves who come to a tragic end, their timing is spot on to raise a laugh, cheer and applause from the audience. No actual live white doves were harmed during the performance, just to make that clear !
Majority of the show is good humoured slapstick comedy but there are a handful of good tricks where my son and I looked at each other and both mouthed ‘How did they do that?’ Perfect night out for families but not very young children due to a couple of squeamish scenes, but otherwise hilarious, harmless fun.