Impossible

IMPOSSIBLE, a story about the true-life relationship between Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, concerning seances, spirituality, immortality and magic.

“Intriguing… enjoyable… told with terrific style” ★★★★ Scotsman,
“A winner” ★★★★★ Libby Purves,
★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News.

In 1920, Hungarian-American magician and escape artist Harry Houdini met celebrated British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for the first time. The two men quickly became close friends however Houdini was troubled by Doyle’s passion for mediumship and his fervent belief in life after death. When shown the mediums’ miraculous feats, all Houdini could see were the kind of conjuring tricks with which he was all too familiar.

The play starred Phill Jupitus, Alan Cox, Milly Thomas, Ed Coleman and Deborah Frances-White. Presented at Pleasance Dome, Pleasance, Edinburgh (August 2015). Directed by Hannah Eidinow.

The play was re-written and expanded and a new version was presented as a rehearsed reading in 2016 at Park Theatre, starring David Calder as Doyle and Kerry Shale as Houdini. A TV treatment was also developed from the script.