Review: Colin Cloud: Consequences

I don’t know how you guess a man’s phone unlock code out of nothing, but I do know this: in less enlightened times, Colin Cloud would be hanged as a witch. In our enlightened times, the reception of his feats of guesswork, influence and mind-reading provoke a more enlightened response and so the mentalist from Harthill has, he informs us, just been offered a residency in Vegas. It’s a just reward and he will bring houses down with this loose origin-story framework, interposed with outrageous illusions. But, this isn’t just a demonstration of sorcery: it’s a theatrical event, and has to be judged by those standards.

There’s one thing stranger than the feats Cloud performs, and that’s the muted response they receive – even on a Saturday night. At times he needs to remind us to applaud. Something about Consequences just doesn’t flow, despite the motormouth delivery that keeps it moving along. At times it’s a little convoluted – I still don’t understand why four men have to come on stage in order for their minds to be read once back in their seats.

The amount of ‘business’ rather muddies the clarity of the reveal. A dangerous fishhook-in-the-mouth moment isn’t helped by the number of steps Cloud needs to pack in to deliver it. There are some great moments of stagecraft – a fast cut soliloquy sequence is very effective. It’s static and tense and stands in contrast to the volume of slightly aimless blocking. Still, let’s not let Cloud off the hook. The accusation of witchcraft stands, and there’s a jaw dropping reveal to close that leaves only wonder in its wake. Go smash Vegas, pal.