ELIXIR
21/03/2013 - 28/03/2013
Production Details
Have you ever wanted Superpowers?
Mentalist Robert Haley has just the ELIXIR for you!
Wellingtonians will be encouraged to take their medicine when N.Z’s very own Mentalist brings his new show ELIXIR to BATS next month.
Robert Haley’s previous show Mind Reader showed him using devious techniques from various fields to make it appear as if he could read minds Mind Reader has charmed audiences throughout New Zealand and Australia over the last 2 years. Now Robert is focusing on ELIXIR, a completely new work that premiered in Melbourne last year.
With a suitcase stocked with delightful elixirs Robert promises to give extraordinary experiences and maybe even super powers to the lucky few that get an opportunity to come onto stage.
Robert states that he “Grew up on a large dose of the supernatural on TV and became hooked on stories with super power themes because of shows like X-men, Dr. Who and Heroes.
Away from the bright screens of T.V. Robert loves reading dusty old books about charlatans – fraudulent psychics, snake oil salesmen and other conartist types – and thought it would be great to marry the two worlds.”
Robert, who hails from Wellington, professes that it isn’t about the elixirs but the audience members, “It works because they want it to, sort of like a placebo. Well… that mixed with some subtle use of observation and suggestion on my part to help with the trickery.”
ELIXIR looks to leave audiences amazed and baffled in awe.
WARNING: Side effects may vary.
Read the label and take as directed, if symptoms persist see a doctor.
What they are saying about Robert Haley:
“Impressive whether you’re a skeptic or a believer” – Dominion Post
“Refreshing, exciting and … maybe actually magic” – Theatreview
“Genuinely impressive” – Wordonthestreet
“You’d be mentalist as anything to miss this show” – MX (Melbourne)
“Highly recommended” – BEAT (Melbourne)
“Totally blew my mind” – Daniel Weetman (Black Seeds)
What: Robert Haley: ELIXIR
When: 21-28th March, 8pm
Where: BATS Theatre
Tickets: Standard $18 / Concession $14 / Group (6+) $15 Tickets: http://bats.co.nz/shows/elixir/ or call 04 802 4175
Be puzzled, amazed, entertained …
Review by John Smythe 22nd Mar 2013
Robert Haley ends his show, Elixir, with a request for everyone to be circumspect in describing it on social media, etc, so that people can experiences the same surprises we just did. Fair enough.
So. Yep. It’s good. Go.
Oh, well given his publicity mentions his “suitcase stocked with delightful elixirs” I can at least reveal that much.
Presumably he bookends the show with Roger Miller’s ‘King of the Road’ to imply the idea of a travelling salesman, although his sartorial presentation is a far cry from the dodgy vagrant implied by the song.
Dodginess, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. His beautifully displayed ‘elixirs’ are doubtless the confectionary equivalent of snake oil. It is the placebo effect he trades in and although he is the facilitator, it’s obvious we do it to ourselves.
Confused? Never fear, it is all quite clear on the night, if impenetrable mysteries can be clear. Be it luck, going on a bender, swinging (you have to be there), x-ray vision, memory loss (and recovery), ESP, synchronistic love messages or tripping, the power of suggestion is proven to be as real as the illusions are unreal, if you get my drift.
The contents of the mystery envelopes we get are put to good use. Of the nine plus one ‘elixir’ properties Haley demonstrates, I think I suss out two – and trying to demystify the illusions is all part of the fun.
Presentation-wise, Haley does tend to gabble a bit and sometimes losing key words in an instruction or spiel can diminish the experience; that’s not the sort of mystery we’re after. His low-key affable manner does seem a bit disorganised at times, a bit as if he’s trying to remember what to say or how to do it (this show premiered in Melbourne last year), but who is to say whether or not these things are done to distract us?
The only thing I can say with reasonable certainty is you will be puzzled, amazed, entertained … and if you see through one or two tricks, maybe a little bit smug.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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