Wonders

Wonders is an exciting opportunity to witness a charming young mentalist, Scott Silven, in action.  It is great fun chance to ‘wonder’ about possibilities, to suspend disbelief and feel a bit vulnerable at the thought of your secret thoughts rising to the surface and being revealed to others.  Or indeed to expose yourself to one of those hairy opportunities where you might be chosen to be part of the show.

Silven is a personable young man dressed in a suit.  He is a storyteller who is able to galvanize a very full Spiegeltent, a place of smoke and mirrors, with his energy, charm and enthusiasm.  He draws his audience into stories of his quirky childhood behavior in his Grandparents’ attic. This pretty naturally triggers our own memories of childhood. We are with him - perhaps in something of the vulnerable headspace of a child - anticipating just about anything. 

We are asked to write a word that defines us on a piece of paper.  It feels like handing over an intimate secret truth and puts me, for one, on edge. I am galvanized by the thought that my inner truths might be exposed.  Later, interestingly, when chatting with others after the show none of us would be easily induced to disclose our own word.

There is kind of a wicked knife-edge pleasure/fear in thinking that someone may be able to identify information you keep secret. 

Silven treats his audience volunteers well and nobody seems to get pinned into a corner or forcefully coerced.  At the same time we are all lead on the same path of thinking about a friend we haven’t spoken of for years.  We all get to think of a holiday we once had and everyone gets a little piece of the map of the world.  I got Hawaii!

What happens in the short 70 or so minutes in the Spiegeltent is diverting, compelling and great fun.   Extraordinary coincidences occur.   It is a bit spooky.  My somewhat cynical plus one and I had a great time.  I say - get along to it if you can still get tickets.

Suzanne Sandow

Photographer: Jeff Smith