Pottervision: Worth Its Weight in Gold Galleons

Pottervision: Laughing Horse @ Espionage as part of the Free Fringe

If you have even the slightest affinity for Harry Potter, then you MUST see this show. No need to drink a vial of Amortentia to fall in love with Lukas Kirkby and Tom Lawrinson's original parody of the absurdity of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone...with two actors...in an hour. There used to be four of them, but they make due performing all the characters with expert precision.

It all starts with Tom's desire to perform his version of the boy wizard script which Lukas immediately shuts down as he says it's too offensive. But, throughout the performance, Tom creeps in those offensive tidbits when the audience (and Lukas) are least expecting it, which creates some of the most humorous exchanges in the show. The way Tom's face lit up every time he was able to successfully segue into his version of the script added to the perfectly timed howlers.

Tongue and cheek references to some of the more obscure Bertie Bot's Every Flavor Bean varieties, the up-sale of wands at Ollivander's, and the pointing out the depressing reasons children stay at Hogwarts for Christmas are a few ways they poke loving digs at the source material. I also loved the way they incorporated other well-known movies such as Home Alone and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into their bits.

Lukas and Tom perform all of this show out of a suitcase of props and prove they can put together a makeshift masterpiece. The most creative uses from the bag come from the scene with the sorting hat and the end moments when Voldemort is revealed. Along with the original props, Lukas and Tom's characterizations with the use of silly beards and wigs was on point. Lukas plays the more committed character actor of the two. His hilarious performances as Vernon Dursley and Snape steal the show. Tom plays the more laid-back of the two, only wanting to play Harry Potter while Lukas does all the work. But, eventually, we do see him play other characters such as Professor Quirrell and the oh-so-convincing Hogwarts Express trolly lady.

If you've got the hour to spend, this show is absolutely worth it. AND did I mention IT'S FREE!!! They do ask for donations at the end, but if you donate a fiver they give you a sweet Pottervision keychain! This show proves that "words are in my not-so-humble opinion our most inexhaustible source of magic." - Albus Dumbledore

FOUR STARS to Ravenclaw (the best house...obvies)