New Old Friends are no strangers to touring high quality comedy, with successive productions in their popular ‘Crimes…’ series. For this outing, and in association with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, the company are branching out to put a fictional spin on the story of one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. Houdini’s Greatest Escape is currently playing at the King’s Head Theatre in London as part of a national tour.
It’s been almost a century since Harry Houdini died, but to this day his name remains synonymous with magic, illusion, and of course escapology. In real life, Houdini waged a very personal war with spiritualists. Following his mother’s death, Harry had attempted to contact her, before realising that that the mediums he spoke to were charlatans engaging in parlour tricks which he could easily recreate.
This sets some of the background story for the entirely made up plot of Houdini’s Greatest Escape, which sees Harry and his wife Bess travel to England for the opportunity to perform for the King, but plans are scuppered when they are framed for murder by Ma Barker, her notorious criminal family and the Chief of Police. Harry and Bess, along with a host of colourful characters, go on the run so that they can both clear their name, and prevent the spiritualist Agatha from taking their place in front of the King.
Feargus Woods Dunlop’s script is full of the light comedy and high farce that the company has become known for, and by venturing into The 39 Steps territory, this makes a nice change from the company’s usual offerings. Dunlop also directs, which means it’s a production that’s fast paced and full of energy, with a cast working overtime to deliver the seemingly impossible.
It is, after all, a cast of only four playing countless characters. Ben Higgins is a Houdini full of bravado, while Lydia Piechowiak dials up the farce in every scene as Bess Houdini. All of the other characters, from Agatha and Ma Barker to all the Barker brothers, policemen and even Harry’s brother, are played by Kirsty Cox and Adam Elliott.
The multirollers do a fantastic job of creating individual characters, and as an audience you easily start to forget what they’re doing, each character is distinct enough that it feels like a cast of hundreds on the stage.
It’s, on the whole, a funny play that will leave you amused. It’s a bit of a mixed bag comedy wise, with some of the jokes eliciting louder groans than laughs, and the story could probably have moved a bit more quickly to keep the audience engaged.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a play about Houdini without a little magic, and there are some pretty impressive tricks and illusions here; the company worked with Pete Firman as magic consultant and that definitely adds an extra element to proceedings.
Houdini’s Greatest Escape offers something a little different from this company, but also relies on some of their trademark routines. The combination of the two doesn’t always work, but when it does it’s more than enjoyable. It’s a clever reimagining of one of history’s most intriguing figures.
Houdini’s Greatest Escape is at the King’s Head Theatre until 30th June.
