The Mesmerist review – Rufus Hound magically unravels a family mystery

2026-03-08 - 20:23

Watford Palace theatre Paying tribute to his grandfather whose 1983 show at the same venue lasted only one night the actor and comedian skilfully unveils a big reveal worthy of Inside No 9 There is enchantment to Rufus Hound’s mesmerism, mind reading, seance and card tricks in this “magic show” although it’s not exactly up there with the breathless artistry of Derren Brown. That is because he is a relative ingenue, having learned these tricks in 2020 when he discovered that his late grandfather, Ken Gittens, had tried his hand at being a magician. Posters showing his smiling image hang in the backdrop of Jasmine Swan’s set, and Hound, dressed in the same velvet jacket and bow tie, appears like a more raffish modern version. Continue reading...