Colin Cloud: Hoax cabaret review – Fragile reality
A spectacular display of psychological manipulation that leaves audiences questioning what they remember and what they believe.
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Fresh from a Las Vegas residency, mentalist Colin Cloud is back on home turf with a spectacular demonstration of psychological manipulation. As punters step into the cavernous Pleasance Grand, they are greeted by Cloud playing a solitary game of chess against himself; likely the only opponent in the room who would stand a chance. Hoax pivots on our increasingly fragile grasp of reality, teasing the audience with reflections on the unsettling unreliability of human memory. His feats remain genuinely staggering, whether he is intercepting the thoughts of audience members (casually plucking specific dates, a family friend’s name or an embarrassing story from their mind) or executing a dazzling ‘thousand objects’ memory task where ChatGPT finally has a use in a large-scale, mind-boggling finale.
While his charisma as a showman is unassailable, injecting a touch more variation would break things up and Hoax risks buckling under its own ambition. Cloud’s attempt to juggle broad themes of deception feels narratively scattered, demanding the audience retain a slightly confusing amount of information, diluting tension in the process. But he effortlessly connects a room full of strangers through shared experiences and impressive deductions. It is a mesmerising, gasp-inducing hour that cements Cloud’s status as UK’s mentalist heir apparent.
Colin Cloud: Hoax, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 August, 7.30pm; picture: Titou Molard.