Charlatan!
FOUR STARS | Magician-turned-mind reader Travis Bernhardt is as clever as ever in the role of charlatan
Rating: ★★★★
Company: Travis Bernhardt, Vancouver
Genre: Magic
Venue: 7 — Cinematheque
This Fringe show couldn't have a better title.
It's entirely possible that Travis Bernhardt is a charlatan. At previous Fringes, he was a clever and witty magician. But in his new production, the lanky and droll West Coaster is trying on the role of mind reader.
'Bernhardt continues to be one charlatan who can con me any day.'- Kaj Hasselriis
His goal, he says, is to make us "believe in things polite society doesn't want you to believe in."
For an hour, Bernhardt singles out audience members and tries to guess some of their most private information and thoughts: family backgrounds, birthdates, occupations, dreams and ambitions.
At the performance I attended, Bernhardt appeared to make a lot of accurate(ish) guesses but he failed to provoke much psychic enlightenment. However, I was thoroughly charmed and engaged by his efforts.
Bernhardt continues to be one charlatan who can con me any day.
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