Sherlock Holmes magic show coming to Cotswold Playhouse

One of TV illusionist Derren Brown’s favourite magicians and a conjuror of the old-school combine their talents to bring an afternoon of mayhem, mirth, mystery and magic to the playhouse on Saturday, May 9 at 3pm.

The Curious Case of the Masked Magician brings together Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Doctor Watson to investigate the sudden disappearance of a performer in the middle of his West End show – to the bafflement of both the audience and Scotland Yard.

With the police scrabbling for clues, they approach Baker Street’s finest to try and solve the puzzle.

Holmes, with Watson in tow, plunges into the secret world of the theatre only to find that the Masked Magician’s identity is 'magic’s best kept secret'. As they question other performers, the mystery of his fate deepens.

Suitable for the whole family, the show promises a real mystery to solve, with multiple suspects, plus a huge array of magic, including illusions, escapology, mind-reading and card tricks.

The show has been described as 'incredible' by BBC Radio 4.

Set in the golden years of the Edwardian theatre, the play is the brainchild of writer, actor and magician Peter Clifford and The Great Baldini – a larger-than-life character who describes himself as the 'Maharajah of Mystery and Prince of Prestidigitation'.

Mr Clifford has been part of Derren Brown’s creative team on both his TV shows and award-winning theatre productions and has also worked with top American illusionist David Blaine for his stage and screen shows.

The Great Baldini is an esteemed member of the Magic Circle and president of the Bristol Society of Magicians.

Tickets for the Saturday afternoon performance are available from the Cotswold Playhouse website.