The Psychic – Review – York Theatre Royal
By Karl Hornsey, May 2026
Any world premiere at York’s Theatre Royal is likely to draw attention, but the arrival of The Psychic, the latest offering from Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson was always going to be something that caught the imagination. And, judging by the reception to this psychological horror/thriller, it’s clearly the hottest ticket in town.
I was fortunate to see the world-renowned Ghost Stories, which was subsequently turned into a seriously spooky and scary film, in York just before the onset of lockdown. That was one of the most memorable performances I’ve ever seen, aided perhaps by the surreal circumstances of the time, but it’s unfair to draw comparisons.
This isn’t Ghost Stories and doesn’t especially try to be, so it’s best to enter with an open mind to avoid disappointment. Not surprisingly, the creators ask that the secrets of the show are kept just that – secrets – but the outline of this thriller is that it tells the story of a disgraced TV psychic whose initial desire to fleece a wealthy couple trying to make contact with their late child turns into something all the more remarkable and deeply disturbing.
“Jumps and shocks”
Eileen Walsh takes the lead as the eponymous psychic, Sheila Gold, and the story is inspired by the travelling showman community, complete with showman language, and Walsh at all times is thoroughly believable, whether as the outwardly confident stage-show psychic, or as the hugely troubled individual who lies beneath.
Frances Barber stars as Sheila’s mum, Rosa, who delivers a fine and constant line in profanities, while newcomer Megan Placito excels in the role of Tara, Sheila’s niece. The tagline to The Psychic asks “is any of it real?”, and that’s the question that the story keeps coming back to time and time again, leaving the audience with little idea as to what might be coming next, especially in the first act. Rae Smith’s set design shines out throughout, seamlessly taking us from the depths of a squalid caravan to a sumptuous continental villa, with all manner of other sets in between, while the music is unobtrusive and relevant throughout.
Having worked extensively with Derren Brown, it’s great to see Nyman return to a subject that he’s clearly always been fascinated in and, despite the storyline carrying a depth that maybe wasn’t expected, there are several moments of humour and wit in among the jumps and shocks. In fact, there are some genuinely great one-liners and asides from the cast that lighten the mood and tension when it’s in danger of becoming all-consuming.
“Cut above”
While this is an entertaining production from start to finish, it’s not without issues. There’s a great story here about family relationships and of how they are affected by living in the complex showman community, where nothing seems real, including feelings and emotions, and there’s the germ of a great horror story as well.
But, when you put the two together, instead of this becoming more than the sum of its parts, it somehow seems to lose something, especially during the second act, meaning it doesn’t quite hit the high expectations as some of the ideas miss the mark. That said, The Psychic is a cut above most productions and absolutely worth checking out on its long run in York, marking it out as still one of the must-see shows of the year.
The Psychic is at York Theatre Royal until 23rd May
images: Manuel Harlan
Karl’s love of writing was piqued at the age of eight, when he won a Blue Peter badge in an essay-writing competition. The location of said badge might be a mystery now, but the memory never fades. Hours spent writing about sport as a teenager, in pre-internet years when you had to make your entertainment, honed his skills, and Karl has worked in TV and radio listings at PA Media for 28 years, and the age of hybrid working means 50% of that can be at home listening to Classic FM and thinking about his next visit to his beloved Yorkshire Dales.
@KarlHornsey, hornskar
