Review: There's Magic in the air as death and grief collide with love and friendship at Chichester Festival Theatre
Conan Doyle and Houdini are compelling forces in moving and thought-provoking play based on historical events
There is Magic in the air as two world-renowned heavyweights clash in a world premiere at the Chichester Festival Theatre, bringing to life a battle over the finality of death.
In one corner is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (award-winning actor and writer of the show, David Haig), who created literature’s greatest detective Sherlock Holmes from his doctor’s practice in Southsea. He has become obsessed with spirituality while haunted by the loss of his young son in the trenches of World War One.
In the opposing corner is one of the world’s biggest showmen Harry Houdini (Hadley Fraser), the master illusionist who so wants to believe there may be life after death as he grieves over his beloved mother. But he is set on a brutally opposing path to his friend as he makes it a mission to expose the cruel fakery of mediums and seances.
In Magic’s opening scene, the pair physically clash during an impromptu boxing session in Houdini’s dressing room as they meet for the first time and discuss their mutual admiration of each other, which includes a love of the noble art.
But for the rest of the show the sparring is verbal and deeply emotional and no punches are pulled as they desperately try to hold together the bonds of the profound friendship. As the play heads to its highly-charged final scene you wonder whether Conan Doyle will remove Houdini from the spiritual pedestal he has placed him on and whether the showman will comprehend the pain his actions are causing.
Based on historical events of the 1920s, Magic conjures up a mesmerising range of emotions. Haig and Fraser are impeccable throughout, bringing their characters to life with extraordinary intensity. But their on-stage chemistry would not be complete without the brilliant support from their wives, Jenna Augen as Bess Houdini and Claire Price as Jean Conan Doyle. Their own friendship and the love they have for their husbands is interweaved throughout.
There are two seances which provide an incredible contrast - one morphing from spine-tingling jump scares to heart-rending emotion, the other filled with snarling and spitting venom.
Excellently directed by Lucy Bailey, the show brings the full auditorium into play. There are brighter spots too as the script allows room for laughs and moments of mirth along the way. And each between-scene interlude provides light relief as the six-strong supporting ‘Houdini’s troupe’ display their acting, dancing and musical skills while creatively using the rotating stage to dress the set.
As the heartbreak of death, loss and grief collide with love, hope and friendship, Magic offers a night of moving and thought-provoking entertainment.
Magic by David Haig runs at the Chichester Festival Theatre until Saturday, May 16. To book tickets go to the festival theatre website.