The Mesmerist Review: Rufus Hound Magically Unravels a Family Mystery
In a captivating performance at Watford Palace Theatre, actor and comedian Rufus Hound brings The Mesmerist to life, a show that pays tribute to his grandfather's brief 1983 magic act at the same venue. This production skillfully unveils a big reveal reminiscent of the twists in Inside No 9, blending enchantment with personal history.
A Heartfelt Tribute to a Magical Legacy
Hound's journey into mesmerism, mind reading, seances, and card tricks began in 2020 when he discovered that his late grandfather, Ken Gittens, had attempted a career as a magician. Posters of Gittens adorn Jasmine Swan's set, and Hound, dressed in a similar velvet jacket and bow tie, appears as a more raffish modern incarnation. Upon his grandfather's death, Hound found boxes filled with illusions and props from the one and only magic show Gittens performed at this theatre in 1983, which never quite reached its conclusion that night.
Written by Maheni Arthur, Georgia Crowther, Lancelot Ellis, and Chris York, the comedy in The Mesmerist is tepid, with Hound making light of the bad jokes. Some tricks are performed haltingly, but these elements seem deliberate, creating an impression of amateurishness that adds to the charm. Hound, a former standup comedian, infuses the show with a lovely sense of silliness, evident in a comic mime at the beginning. The knowledge that he is honouring his grandfather makes the performance deeply moving.
From Classic Magic to Narrative Depth
The first half of the show unfolds as an unpolished yet charming trot through magic circle classics, including guessing audience secrets and attempts at hypnosis. Directed by Steve Marmion, Hound channels a slightly bygone showman in the mould of Bruce Forsyth, engaging in plenty of audience participation and old-school smut. However, it is only after the interval that the underlying narrative emerges.
"Magic is the story you tell to make sense of the miraculous," Hound declares, but he keeps the full story up his sleeve for too long. Slowly, the show transforms into something more ambitious and artful—a meta-production about a magic show that simultaneously functions as one, with actors John Albasiny, Lakesha Cammock, and Zoë Watson embedded in the audience.
A Twist Worthy of Acclaim
Hound drops subtle clues earlier on, such as the mystery surrounding why his grandfather's show never finished its single performance. While the setup is somewhat sketchy, the twist is indeed worthy of Inside No 9, shedding new light on the entire production. Audiences forgive the messy seams due to Hound's winning persona and the scrappy magic he conjures.
Additionally, who can tire of the wondrous circus thrill of seeing a woman sawn in half? Hound approaches this classic trick with the gothic relish of a maniacal Bluebeard, then reassembles her, leaving viewers to wonder, "How did he do that?"
The Mesmerist runs at Watford Palace Theatre until 21 March, offering a unique blend of magic, comedy, and heartfelt storytelling that honours family legacy while entertaining with theatrical flair.
