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David Haig's 'Magic' explores Conan Doyle and Houdini friendship

opinion-review · 2026-05-06

David Haig's play 'Magic' examines the unlikely friendship between Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini. The production, reviewed by the Financial Times, delves into the contrasting worldviews of the two iconic figures: Conan Doyle, a spiritualist, and Houdini, a skeptic. The play highlights their debates on the supernatural and the nature of belief.

Key facts

  • Play titled 'Magic' by David Haig
  • Explores friendship between Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini
  • Reviewed by Financial Times
  • Conan Doyle was a spiritualist
  • Houdini was a skeptic

Entities

Artists

  • David Haig
  • Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Harry Houdini

Institutions

  • Financial Times

Sources