Rufus Hound's latest show, The Mesmerist, at Watford Palace Theatre, is a tribute to his grandfather, Ken Gittens, whose 1983 magic show at the same venue lasted only one night. Hound, who discovered his grandfather's boxes of illusions after his death, learned the tricks in 2020 and now performs them in a show that blends comedy, mesmerism, and mind reading.
The first half of the show is a charming, if unpolished, tour through classic magic circle tricks, including guessing audience secrets and attempted hypnosis. Directed by Steve Marmion, Hound adopts a slightly bygone showman persona reminiscent of Bruce Forsyth, complete with audience participation and old-school smut. The comedy is deliberately tepid, with Hound joking about the bad jokes, and some tricks are performed haltingly, giving an impression of amateurishness that seems intentional.
After the interval, the show reveals its underlying narrative. Hound explains that 'magic is the story you tell to make sense of the miraculous,' and the production transforms into a meta-theatrical experience with actors embedded in the audience. The mystery of why his grandfather's show never finished its single performance is gradually unravelled, leading to a twist worthy of Inside No 9 that sheds new light on the entire production.
Despite some messy seams and a sketchy setup, Hound's winning persona and scrappy magic make the show compelling. Highlights include a gothic rendition of sawing a woman in half, performed with the relish of a maniacal Bluebeard. The show is a moving tribute to Hound's grandfather, honouring his legacy while entertaining audiences with a blend of silliness and genuine wonder.
