PowerPoint Trauma: Magician's Confessional Comedy

Josh Sharp, a former child magician from New York, is captivating audiences at London's Soho Theatre with his off-Broadway import, "ta-da!". The 75-minute show uniquely combines PowerPoint presentations, featuring an estimated 2,000 slides, with humor derived from personal trauma. This stylistic choice serves to frame Sharp's compelling narrative.

The performance delves into significant life events for Sharp, including his journey of self-discovery as a southerner who moved to New York. It touches upon his mother's terminal cancer and a personal near-death experience from a few years ago. These deeply personal elements are explored through a lens that also questions contemporary entertainment habits.

Sharp openly acknowledges that his elaborate tech-driven presentation is partly a device to mask familiar themes of parental bereavement and queer self-discovery on stage. While the constant on-screen interjections may distance some viewers from the emotional core, the underlying story possesses a significant impact. Sharp's engaging stage presence, combined with standalone comedic bits and a tender portrayal of his parents, ensures the show resonates.

Despite the potential for the PowerPoint gimmick and emotional arc to feel disconnected, the fusion of slick visual theatrics, substantial laughs, and a heartfelt story offers considerable value to the audience. It's a modern approach to confessional comedy that leaves a lasting impression.