★★
From Dentistry to Disney The Wheel of Misfortune had a lot to say about the ‘horrors’ of the modern world, including those who flyer stand-up comedy. Kyle Paton as the Gamesmaster takes his players (the audience) for a wild ride and has a laugh that could rival the Joker. He’s joined onstage by multi-rollers Vanashree Thapliyal who treated us to a wickedly evil tooth-fairy, Sandy Jack as the victim (taking the brunt of the physical comedy) and Antony Branco with his stand-out performance as the laid-back doctor/debt collector.
I was drawn to the show as I liked the idea of the audience deciding their ‘fate’ by spinning a wheel but there was no such luck – the misfortunes on the wheel never matched the misfortunes we saw onstage. It did make me question the need for such a prop if it held no use to the narrative.
The performances onstage are elevated by the lighting design and the choice of sound from Oliver Giggins, but with the promise of “a multi-media horror-comedy” you are led to expect more than just standard tech.
The show’s premise is certainly creative and challenging for the team to deliver different content on a weekly basis and with some further development, I’m sure Frighthouse Presents: The Wheel of Misfortune could fright and delight audiences in the future.
This show closed on the 19th of August at the Space, Surgeon’s Hall.
Review by Jade Flack
