MISCHIEF Theatre are up to their old tricks ... well, new ones actually as they offer something competely different from their previous trademark smash hits.
The company have rightly gained global recognition for their quirky, rule-breaking, shows such as The Play That Goes Wrong where chaos and drama go hand-in-and hand.
Now it's a kinda magic as they tour the UK in a production with the US legends and co-writers Penn and Teller.
The framework of this latest crazy caper is not a play with a narrative here the set piece is a TV-styled charity donation-a-thon with a sparkly game show backdrop.
A hapless gang of magicians reminiscent of Carry On meets Hi-De-Hi is led by anxious compere Sophisticato (Sam Hill).
Above: production shots from 'Magic Goes Wrong' by Pamela Raith Photography
The line-up of acts together somehow manage to stage an evening of grand illusions to raise money for deceased illusionists who have accidentally met their fate.
As with all slapstick, mayhem builds and spirals out of control just as their fundraising target hits highs and lows.
Michief are used to bringng the house down with collapsing stage scenery here it's crash ... bang ... wallop with sleight-of-hand and prop chaos.
And that's all you need to know as the young and energetic cast invite members of the audience to help them out with their sometimes very silly routines - a couple of which are hit and miss.
I won't say too much as that would be giving the game away and we all know how magicians keep secrets.
Above: production shot from 'Magic Goes Wrong' by Pamela Raith Photography
Local name checks for Liverpool pubs and our very own Birkenhead go down well.
Throw into the manic mix Derren Brown, The Carpenters and Debbie McGee and you can see this show has wide appeal.
And, of course. the magicians always have something up their sleeves.
There's accident-prone The Blade as well as David Nellist's Mind Mangler and his dubious assistants as well as a pair of European contortionists.
Above: production shot from 'Magic Goes Wrong' by Pamela Raith Photography
We are treated to doves, a woman being sawn in half, a human cannoball, knife-throwing and card games aplenty with some Houdini-esque inspiration.
There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and the timing is spot on in two and a half hours of Tommy Cooper styled-magic.
Above: production shot from 'Magic Goes Wrong' by Pamela Raith Photography
Director Adam Meggido ensures there are genuine tricks to marvel at such as an Egyptian finale and you cannot say pharaoh than that. See, the silliness is catching.
This is the type of unabashed fun we have been missing during lockdown. Suspend belief and get on this wacky roller-coaster.
Globe verdict: Hey Presto! Magical mischief.
Four Stars.
Tickets from the Liverpool Empire Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Above: production shot from 'Magic Goes Wrong' by Pamela Raith Photography
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