The Death of Dr. Black – The Fitzgerald, Manchester
For how long have we been fascinated by magic and murder mysteries? In a way, what’s more extraordinary is not the exact length of time, but the continued ability for creatives to refresh and reinvent both.
Take The Death of Dr. Black. This isn’t necessarily breaking new ground in murder mysteries. There’s candlesticks and ropes, there’s a study. It feels familiar.
The magic, too, is relatively recognisable. Some prediction, some mentalism, one assumes a smattering of sleight of hand.
And yet, Andrew Stannard’s one-man immersive theatre show still feels fresh. It is also smart, fun, lovingly put together and really enjoyable.
Dr. Black is dead. That much is obvious before the audience arrives. What’s soon clear, also, is that everyone in attendance is under suspicion.
De...