A new play by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky, ‘Impossible’ is loosely based on the real-life friendship of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and Harry Houdini and their mutual interest in spiritualism. The Sherlock Holmes author firmly believes that contact can be made with the dead, yet Houdini is unconvinced: a dispute that eventually proves the undoing of their friendship.  Alan Cox performs Houdini with charisma and likeability, emerging as the star of the show. Meanwhile as Conan-Doyle, Phill Jupitus simply doesn’t feel like the right man for the role, and let’s not dwell too much on his attempt at a Scottish accent..! While not the most fulfilling piece of theatre, it was very watchable and unfolded at a respectable pace.

Pleasance Dome, until 31 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Daisy Malt]