Review: THE TRICK, Bush Theatre

The Bush has had non-stop success after success with their recent programming, however this show misses the mark by a lot. Roy Alexander Weise, whose career has also gone from strength to strength, directs Eve Leigh's confusing and dull text. Billed as a magic show, it is anything but spectacular.

For so long Jonah has been the reason Mira gets out of bed, but now that he's gone she finds herself unable to do anything productive. Refusing to accept that she's alone, she retreats into herself, sacrificing her health as a consequence. Leigh speaks about the ageing process and the refusal of grief, but does so with little depth, lacking clarity in her intention.

The play's saving grace is the cast that are involved in it. They fight hard against a dodgy script, which says nothing that means anything, but somehow amidst the messiness they create some moments of joy and emotional connection. Credit to them - by no means is it an easy task.

Jemima Robinson's set design suffocates the space and leaves transitions looking clunky and awkward. We sit and wait for scenes to change, yearning for something to catch our eye. The production feels young and not something you'd expect from people with the calibre of professional experience on their CV's.

The most interesting part of the evening comes from someone who isn't even involved in it. An audience member is brought on stage to have their palm read, which allows for some entertaining improvisation moments to occur. This injects some much-needed energy into the proceedings, but unfortunately she's quickly sent back to her seat.

No matter the enthusiasm of the actors, or all the will in the world, nothing can get past the fact that this script does not yet seem ready for production.

The Trick at the Bush Theatre until 23 March

Photo credit: Helen Murray

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