Chris Cox - Control Freak

Just why Chris Cox’s 2008 show should begin with an introductory video starring Keith Chegwin remains an utter mystery. But, then again, that's far from the only mystery in Control Freak. Quite how Cox manages to coax the audience into selecting 11 random digits which just happen to correspond, in the order picked, to his mobile phone number more than pips Cheggers to the mystery post.

Magic shows aren’t really considered contemporary Fringe fare, with audiences much more content to absorb ribbings from a comedian than to jump up and risk any display of childish enthusiasm via audience participation. Wise to this, Cox is to be commended for the range of techniques he uses to cajole, force and cheat audience members into taking part in his mind-reading tricks. In doing so, he avoids the awkward silences that could marr a show which relies on subjects being willing—or at least available—to have their brains picked.

What could be a patchy bag of tricks scoots along, with Cox’s funny, friendly commentary oiling the wheels. Promising to read minds without resorting to “the power of a goatee beard,” Cox’s schtick couldn’t be further from that of fellow mentalist Derren Brown. A great deal more affable than the doyen of Channel 4, Cox’s surprise when his own feats of mind-reading work is endearing. As a result, it’s very clear that Cox’s tricks are a very clever result of subtle influencing and super-canny reading of body signals. But there’s a flip side here: Cox’s self-styled “mindreader who can’t read minds” act is about rational techniques to control choices, and this fails to foster the thrilling sense of wonderment and illusion which, in other such acts, comes first.