Marc Salem Review. Tricycle Theatre, London.
I woke up at about 4am., and began turning over in my mind what I had seen the previous afternoon.
I had taken my wife and two young children to London, to watch the mentalist Marc Salem. The Tricycle theatre is small but intimate, and the matinee well attended. The stage was simple – 4 chairs, and a table with props. The lights dimmed, the lights rose, and there was the smartly dressed Marc Salem.
The performance began with some simple mind warm up exercises, trying top divine numbers from the audience. That got things started.
Marc then went on to progress through a series of effects, gently building on each, and working his script and ad libs to the full. We were treated to various mind reading effects, using simple but effective props. He borrowed a child’s book from the audience for a book test, used a daily paper for a newspaper act, employed poker chips for an entertaining murder scenario. No lasers, no lights, just superb presentation.
Something I particularly enjoyed, and thought very strong, was his pulse stopping and starting demonstration. Ironically, a paediatric cardiologist was one of two assistants, and it was clear to see that he was genuinely impressed, and perplexed, as to how Marc could start, and stop, his pulse, at a click of the fingers!
The stage was simple, the theatre small but intimate. The effects were excellent, but I think what really worked so well, was the way Marc genuinely engaged his audience. This is one of his strengths. Whether recounting a tale or performing, Marc interacts so well. Volunteers were used in abundance, and this gave the whole proceeding a real interactive flavour, and held everyone’s attention so strongly.
This was an excellent 90 minutes of mentalism. And Marc Salem’s style is that of … Marc Salem. Which is perhaps why he does it so well.
10/10
( Now I must confess to having an acute interest in mentalism, and the workings etc., but this didn’t detract from, what was an excellent show ! )
Piers.
