MAGIC, MYSTERY, AND MAYHEM: INSIDE HOUDINI’S GREATEST ESCAPE

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐ | Press Invite

New Old Friends theatre company, in collaboration with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, bring a new twist to the legendary Houdini tale. Houdini’s Greatest Escape is showing at The Kings Head Theatre until Sunday 30 June. The production is packed with physical comedy and wit, and promises a night of laughter, gasps, and a touch of chaos. But does it manage to deliver? Let’s delve in and see.

The premise is appealing; Harry Houdini, the master escapologist, and his wife Bess are framed for murder by a gang in cahoots with the chief of police. Can Harry and Best escape the plot and clear their names? And how is their rival, The Superstar Spiritualist medium, Agatha, involved? With a narrative promising suspense, humour, and intrigue, it sounds like a sure fire hit. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.

A STELLAR PERFORMANCE AMIDST DIRECTIONAL DETOURS: A MIXED BAG OF BRILLIANCE AND BEMUSEMENT

I went to see the show with my friend Vartika, who also reviews for the website. We both agreed that the acting throughout the performance was excellent. Ben Higgins (Harry Houdini) and Lydia Piechowiak (Bess Houdini) lead the cast with undeniable charisma. Higgins smoothly captures Houdini’s charm and desperation, whilst Piechowiak adds a touch of elegance and wit. Kirsty Cox and Adam Elliott, tasked with multiple roles, showcased their versatility brilliantly, switching accents and personas effortlessly. Yet, the direction felt like it was trying too hard, often dragging scenes out unnecessarily.

We felt the direction could have been more prompt, feeling the weight of too many detours that didn’t quite hit the mark. The plot felt cluttered with sub-stories that didn’t lead anywhere. There was circus characters and a random man in the woods who end up falling in love. It was an unnecessary addition and felt completely irrelevant. It did not contribute to the main storyline and left us feeling disconnected.

There is no interval in the show but what I would class as the “second half” did redeem itself slightly. It picked up the pace and delivered more engaging moments, one being a well-executed underwater scene. But even then, some scenes still felt prolonged without purpose, diluting the overall impact.  One of the show’s highlights is the magical element, designed by TV’s Pete Firman. The illusions are genuinely impressive and added an exciting layer to the performance. Unfortunately, with the plot and directional issues it did pull us out of the magic.

SETTING THE STAGE: A SPOTLIGHT ON SET DESIGN AND PROP CREATIVITY

The set design in Houdini’s Greatest Escape deserves a standing ovation. Despite the small space of The Kings Head Theatre, the creative team made every inch count. The hardworking set transforms seamlessly to support the multitude of locations in the story. Props were cleverly used, without overwhelming the space. The multifunctional set not only aids in the swift transitions between scenes but also adds visual element that keeps the audience engaged. The props were cleverly used, enhancing the overall storytelling without overwhelming the space.

Houdini’s Greatest Escape is a mixed bag. On one hand, the acting, set design, and magic tricks are exceptional. The physical comedy and accents are great, and there was moment of theatrical brilliance. But on the other hand, the direction often loses focus, and the plot is filled with unnecessary subplots and the scenes are dragged out. The show has all the ingredients needed for a hit but falls short in the execution.

If you appreciate good acting and clever set design, this show is worth a watch. But if you’re looking for a more structured narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish, you might find yourself wanting Houdini to escape just a bit quicker.

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Photo Credit: Pamela Raith