The Poldark Show 2025 Tour (Main Show Review)

The part II review of support act – magician Cavan Booth is available here.

The Poldark hypnotism show is the closest that you will get to a performance of a scientific art that you just cannot explain. The power of the mind is explored throughout this entertaining show in the most insightful, amusing and educational way.

Audience volunteers are the stars of the show while working with expert hypnotist Poldark. No show is ever the same, and Poldark tells the audience, “Unlike magicians and comedians who work to scripts, I never know quite what lies ahead.”

The show that I witnessed was very different from the performance that I previously watched and reviewed in May 2024. If anything, I enjoyed this experience much more as Poldark talks you through the mysteries of the mind and explores ideomotor, ESP and much more. A slick and fast-paced show that worked through an interesting sequence at the start of the show with staging, lighting and sound all of high importance when Poldark starts hypnotising volunteers. Most likely not just for creating a captivating show to watch but likely to assist with the process of hypnotising (perhaps?) and relaxing the audience members on stage.

Please note that my reviews are spoiler free, so I will focus on a general write up rather than provide specific show details.

What is ideomotor and ESP? (expand)

/Ideomortor refers to unconscious movements or behaviors triggered by an idea or thought, rather than a deliberate conscious decision. It’s a psychological phenomenon where an action is initiated without a conscious intent to perform it, often attributed to the association between a thought and the physical action. 
/ESP ior extrasensory perception, refers to the purported ability to acquire information about the world through means other than the known five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell). It’s often described as a “sixth sense” and encompasses various alleged abilities like telepathy (mind reading), clairvoyance (sensing hidden objects or events), and precognition (knowing the future). 

When I first saw an earlier version of the show in May 2024, I did not know what to expect and I was perhaps unsure about hypnotism being used on stage in a theatre (before actually seeing the show). However, the volunteers make the free choice to appear on stage and Poldark follows a set of professional guidelines at all times. All audience members are treated with respect and they will not be allowed on stage if too young or intoxicated. So while the unexpected could happen, Poldark and team take all possible measures to avoid embarrassment to volunteers who are referred to as the stars of the show. It is also important to recognise that many do wish to participate and it is their free choice.

The show is a decent length at around 1 hour 45 minutes and those who had been hypnotised were asked to describe the show and their experience before leaving the stage. All shared positive statements ranging from how relaxed they felt through to rested and surreal. When talking to one of the audience members who participated on stage after the show, they were feeling very positive and pleased that they had taken part. The show also takes photos and records videos as a memento so that volunteers do not miss out, and the footage is uploaded to the Poldark website. Unlike other shows, the audience is encouraged to take photos/videos to share on social media to help promote The Poldark Show. 

As I was reviewing the show, it wouldn’t have made sense for me to volunteer to be hypnotised. However, while I was of the mindset pre-show that I would not want to be hypnotised myself, I have changed my opinion and I am now open to the idea as Poldark and the team certainly want all to have a unique experience. Without doubt any volunteer can feel confident that they will be treated to a unique experience and star in the show. Where else could you do that?

Poldark has no easy task presenting the show while working with the audience members in a hypnotic state. Quite the showman and a very well-rehearsed and professional show. Staging, lighting, and sound were all excellent, along with an MC who introduced the acts. 

Prior to the main show, you get your money’s worth as you also have support with magician Cavan Booth presenting a 50-minute show prior to the interval. Do look out for our part 2 review of Cavan’s show coming soon and for July, the Poldark Show dates feature another well known magician – Billy Kidd.

Thank you to Poldark and his team for a fantastic night out. The Artrix venue in Bromsgrove is also a brilliant theatre. One of the best with more spacious seating than usual and a very friendly team of ushers and bar staff. Parking is also convenient and close by.

To learn more about The Poldark show and future tour dates, please check out the website below. I cannot recommend this show more highly and you will have a very entertaining night out.

https://poldarkshow.com