Keith Barry – Brainhacker – Review by Frances Winston

If you’ve ever watched one of Keith Barry’s TV shows you may think you know what to expect from this show. However, the lack of an editor makes the live experience hugely difference from a pre-recorded offering. You really never know what is going to happen next as unsuspecting members of the audience find themselves thrust into the spotlight with often unintentionally hilarious results.

Walking into the this I became rather worried as I was wearing a red top and the last thing you want to do at a show like this is stand out. However, those of you who would rather gouge out your own eyes than get up on stage with Keith needn’t worry as no one who doesn’t want to get up has to. Also, don’t even try faking something in order to get on stage as Keith will quickly suss that out as he showed on the night I was there when a girl pretended she had been hypnotised!

As for the show itself – the clue is the title. Keith attempts to literally hack into his audiences brains. From the very beginning he is open about what he is doing and even challenges a sceptic to join him on stage to ensure that everything is above board and that there are no hidden cameras or ear pieces. Cue much cringing as said sceptic is eventually forced to backtrack on their original opinion.

This is a difficult show to review as I don’t want to give away the element of surprise which is part of the attraction. While you will have seen some of these illusions before in some shape or form Barry manages to give them a new spin. His quick wit also ensures that the show never stalls even when an audience volunteer is less than animated once they are on the stage. The whole show builds to a truly amazing climax that will leave you backtracking through the whole night in your head trying to figure out just how he did that!

This show is over 14s and parental discretion is advised and I have to say I don’t feel it is suitable for children. There is a lot of swearing and the random nature of audience volunteers means that you never actually know what is going to be said on stage. For everyone else though it is a supremely entertaining night that will leave you scratching your head.

Brainhacker runs in The Olympia Theatre until Friday April 18th

Dates: Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th April 2014. Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th April 2014. Tuesday 15th to Friday 18th April 2014. Nightly at 7.30pm. €29.50/30.50.

Venue: The Olympia theatre, Dame Street, Dublin 2