Review: The Great Divinator, Museum of Comedy

Camden Fringe

Review: The Great Divinator, Museum of Comedy

Summary

Rating

60

Good

A promising work-in-progress, The Great Divinator blends Victorian charm with modern magic for a delightful, if brief, comedic experience.

In the wonderful surroundings of the Museum of Comedy, Katie Tranter brings us her creation, The Great Divinator. Tranter’s characterisation is styled on a Victorian/Music Hall parlour act, which with modern eyes is full of comedy and magic.

This is a work-in-progress show but it has great potential. The set design evokes the period and the mood from the moment the audience entered the space. We soon find out that every part of the set has been thought through to form part of the act, from the gramophone to the white gloves on the card table.

Prior to the show, Matthew Nicholson, mixes with the waiting audience asking them to write down the names of dead celebrities that would like to meet. On entry, these are placed into a hat that is used in the show, ultimately being part of the finale.

Once settled The Great Divinator enters and mysteriously, with a twinkle in his eye, welcomes the audience. He then encourages the audience to invite ‘the spirits’ to enter the room, ending in a rousing shout of “Come in me spirits!” – a hint of the naughtiness in this act. The audience did have some children in it, I’m not sure if they fully understood the innunedo, but their dad noticeably raised an eyebrow. This was later forgotten when he and his daughter were invited to be involved in some magic.

Magic is really the central theme and there’s certainly some good slight-of-hand going on, and one main trick that both surprised and intrigued me. However, the show runs for only 30 minutes, and after a delayed start, I wonder if more was meant to happen.

There are some inconsistencies in some of the referencing – The Great Divinator acknowledged it was 2024 and so holding the hand of another man was okay, however they didn’t know who Marilyn Monroe was, even though he had been “possessed” by her moments before – this feels like a misstep.

The Great Divinator is an enjoyable show, albeit only a half an hour one at the moment, with an interesting character and good magic. There are things that could be trimmed and edited, but it is a show still in development. In some of the longer pauses I felt a slight uncertainty from Tranter but I am certain that we will see The Great Divinator again and he will not disappoint us – I didn’t need any spirits to help me with that prediction!

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Created and Performed by: Katie Tranter
In Collaboration with: Iestyn Evans, Tony Lidington & Scott Penrose
Produced by: Katie Tranter & Iestyn Evans
Make UP Design by: Richard Energy
Costume by: Prom-Prom & Blackout II Vintage
Lighting by: Iestyn Evans

The Great Divinator played as part of Camden Fringe.