Dim lighting, flickering candles and the quiet intensity of a tall tarot table set the scene. At its centre stands Jean Sergent, the witch and tarot guide, inviting the audience into an intimate and immersive experience. From the outset, Tarot creates a world that is both mystical and grounded, where every seat feels close to the action and every audience member is part of the ritual.

Upon arrival, each guest receives a tarot card. Mine is the Hanged Man. The question is posed deliberately: Does it mean anything to you? With this simple gesture, the performance begins in the audience’s own internal reflections. Personal experience becomes the entry point, and that promise of connection is honoured throughout the show.

Directed by Jennifer O’Sullivan, Tarot blends improvisational theatre with divinatory practice, using the tarot deck as a genuine creative and thematic engine. Along with Jennifer, the cast is Brendon Bennetts, Katherine Weaver, Ralph Hilaga, Ben Jardine, Liz Butler and Jason Geary. Each scene begins with a card. Sergent offers a spontaneous reading and from this, the cast launches into improvised scenes that range from the comedic to the contemplative.

There is no fixed narrative. The performance embraces unpredictability, allowing stories to emerge organically through themes, call-backs and connections. Scenes can be light, whimsical, or absurd: ‘Find your family’, ‘Be a bit cheeky’, ‘Owning a mansion can be fun’ … My favourite moment is watching Jason lead a police chase with perfect comedic timing.

The cast moves with ease between roles, responding instinctively to both the cards and each other. Their chemistry is palpable and their choices bold. Even mid-scene, performers return to the tarot table, seeking fresh insight or redirection, ensuring the performance remains fluid and alive.

The structure feels loose but deliberate, and the audience is given the role of an active observer. Participation is invited gently and respectfully, creating a sense of shared space rather than spectacle. At times, it feels less like watching a show and more like sitting in on a communal tarot reading.

Throughout, Ellie Stewart provides a subtle, haunting score on violin, weaving in and out of moments and adding a layer of enchantment to the night.

The evening closes with one final card: Temperance. The message? The witch discloses it with a smile: “Don’t get too wasted drinking tonight.”

Tarot is a playful, inventive, captivating journey into the unknown that transforms chance into connection and leaves its audience spellbound.

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