Review: The Psychic at York Theatre Royal

Wednesday 6th May 2026 at York Theatre Royal

⭐️⭐️⭐️

There’s an awful lot of buzz about this show, what with it being the much-anticipated new play from Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, writers and directors of the hugely successful Ghost Stories. We’ve once more been asked to “keep the secrets” and once more they’ve put forward a show designed to keep us guessing, questioning and intrigued throughout.

With a pretty specific premise out there of a big-time TV psychic caught up in a legal battle over credibility and the tag line “is any of it real?”, we’re actually in pretty safe territory when it comes to not revealing secrets; the show is what is says on the tin, and does well to call into question all we know (or think we know) about those professing to have a “gift” for knowing more than mere mortals should. 

Eileen Walsh leads as our questionable psychic, Sheila Gold and she entertains throughout, presenting us with the versions of self that public figures present in public and private spheres – often with some nice comedic dissonance thrown in. Frances Barber is a stand-out in the best role the show has to offer, as potty-mouthed, foul-tempered but quick-witted Rosa, and Megan Placito impresses in the many masks (so to speak) her character, Tara, wears.

Rae Smith’s set is pleasingly trippy, toying with scale and perspective while the plot attempts to do the same. There’s some uneven ground with plot though, as there are some underwhelming reveals alongside the more show-stopping ones, and while the show is marketed as a spooky thriller sure to get pulses racing, it isn’t quite so enjoyably puzzling and doesn’t lean as far into the unnerving spookiness of its predecessor (though admittedly, I did still clutch the sleeve of my pal in the expectant darkness…). The lasting impression though is that the show simply doesn’t go far enough with its most “thrilling” elements.

All in all, The Psychic isn’t quite on the same level as Ghost Stories, but there’s plenty to entertain when it comes to unexpected gear changes and a very watchable cast.

The Psychic is at York Theatre Royal until May 23rd 2026 – more information and tickets can be found here.