Psycho or Psychic

Reviewed by Kate O'Sullivan

---

Psycho or Psychic introduces audiences to Luna, the endlessly enthusiastic and charming central character created and performed by Sarah Francis. Billed as playful clowning wrapped around soulful storytelling, the show leans hard into eccentricity, inviting us into a world where mind reading, messages from the dead, imagined soundtracks and romantic entanglements all collide in a whirlwind of theatrical imagination.

Francis brings strong physical comedy and clear character work to the stage, effortlessly swapping between roles and creating distinct personalities in a flash. Her physicality is a real strength of the piece, often generating both laughter and clarity even as the narrative jumps between realities. The central character, Luna, is hugely likeable - wide-eyed, earnest and bursting with energy - making it easy for the audience to invest in her.

A major feature of the show is its heavy use of audience participation. Luna guesses coffee orders, recruits onstage romantic partners and bosses, and pulls the audience directly into her story. This approach certainly makes each performance unpredictable and could potentially create genuinely funny, spontaneous moments. In a larger crowd, this element would likely feel more balanced; however, in a very small audience (8 people the show this reviewer attended), the sheer volume of participation meant some audience members were selected multiple times, whether they explicitly wanted to be or not. While clearly well-intentioned, with a small audience who didn't quite know what they were in for, this tipped from playful into awkward, particularly when expectations for those brought onstage were not always clearly communicated.

Technical issues also had a noticeable impact on the flow of the performance. Having to call out cues such as “space bar” and “escape” mid-show (functionally stage-managing the show while performing) disrupted the momentum and made it harder for the audience to fully settle into the world of the piece. These issues were clearly not the fault of the performer, but they did significantly affect pacing and immersion.

Narratively, the show would also benefit from greater clarity around the relationships between characters and the overall throughline of the story. At times, linking ideas and internal logic were difficult to follow, which slightly diluted the emotional payoff and made the piece feel less succinct than it could be.

That said, Psycho or Psychic is built on a strong central performer and a delightfully oddball concept. Francis’ commitment to Luna, her physical storytelling, and her willingness to take creative risks with audience interaction make this a show full of heart and unpredictability. With tighter technical support, clearer narrative connections, and some re-calibration of how participation is handled in smaller audiences, this piece has the potential to become a much more polished and confidently flowing experience.

For audiences who enjoy immersive, clown-driven theatre and don’t mind being part of the action, Psycho or Psychic offers a quirky, energetic and sincere theatrical encounter, that’s clearly powered by a performer with a big imagination and a lot of heart.

Reviewer Note: Tickets for this review were provided by the performer