STEPHEN A. SPARKS

COLLECTIBLES

Specializing in Houdiniana

This is a "Special Offering"

"THE GREAT HOUDINI" 

This is an Extremely Limited Theatrical Play script. Story by Alan London (who was also the Executive Producer).

Only 52 of these scripts ( the same age as Houdini when he passed away in 1926) were originally available.

Each script is hand numbered and signed by Alan London.

The script measures 8½"x11" and contains 89 pages. - Price: Only $100.00

This offering is for Early numbered/signed Script #1.

YES, #1.

Along with the Script, you also receive the following two items FREE!!!

(1) A ticket from the show. This is a Playing Card which has been stamped: "The Great HOUDINI" "Admit One". The "O" in "HOUDINI" is a link of chain, with one link above this and a pad-lock beneath. The card shown, in the photo above, is the Four-of-Hearts.

(2) You ALSO get a ‘glossy-stock’ 12 page program.

The Play had a successful six week run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, California from April 22^nd to May 30^th, 1999. (See assorted Reviews at the bottom of this page)

Story line revolves around a street-wise runaway kid by the name of George, who had cheated a thug out of his money with the three shell game. George runs and hides inside the Garrick Theatre, where he comes across the ghost of Harry Houdini. The date is November 4, 1926, four days after Houdini’s passing. Enter Harry Houdini...

The Play is told in flashbacks by Harry Houdini, telling George of his life - when he was alive, that is.

CHARACTERs INCLUDE:

Harry Houdini - Fifty two, recently deceased and non to happy about it.

Bess - Houdini’s wife and second love

Jacob Hayman - Late teens, Houdini’s best friend

Cecilia Weiss - Houdini’s mother, seen at both middle age and before her death

George - An eleven year old con man

Thug - Drunken gangster

Gruff Voice - Manager from Coney Island

Announcer - For Dortsmund Theatre

Kleppini - Scoundrel German magician

Theatre Manager - Present, possibly non-fictitious

Stage Hand - Present, possibly non-fictitious

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Fifties, Houdini’s best friend

Margery Crandon - Boston socialite, self-medium

Walter - Margery’s cohort

Gordon Whitehead - McGill University student, amateur boxer

Announcer - From Garrick Theatre

The Play is written in Two Acts. These are:

SCENEs BREAKDOWN (as follows):

ACT ONE:

Scene One:
    Garrick Theatre, Detroit, Michigan November 4, 1926

Scene Two:
    Harry’s Memory of:
      Deserted circus side show, Appleton, Wisconsin.
      Budapest, Hungary 1876
      New York City neighborhood 1888
      Weiss backyard

Scene Three:
    Necktie factory, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 1892

Scene Four:
    Four months later

Scene Five:
    Coney Island, New York - 1893
      Side Show
      Theatre
      Circus Side show
    New York, Window sill of Weiss home, circa 1888
    Dortmund Theatre, Germany - 1902
    Harry’s Memory of:
      England, Scotland Yard police station courtyard 1900
      England, dress shop circa 1908
      Backstage of English Theatre 1908
      Stage Apron - circa 1913
      New York, Vaudevillian venue - circa 1905

ACT TWO:

Scene One:
    New York City - 1913
    Center Stage
    Houdini’s home - 1919
    Hollywood, California
    Stage Apron

Scene Two:
    Margery Crandon’s home - 1924
    Houdini’s home - 1925

Scene Three:
    McGill University, Montreal - October 1926
    Garrick Theatre - November 4, 1926
    Houdini’s home

The Play shows Houdini’s encounters with The Amazing Dr. Lynn, Akimoto Balancing Troupe, Martinka’s Magic Shop, The Great Kleppini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Margery (the Boston Medium).

Houdini’s life also touches his childhood friend, Jacob Hayman - wherein they from the "Brother’s Houdini’s". Bess, whom he marries and forms "The Houdini’s". His Mother: Cecilia.

Houdini performs Handcuff escapes, the Milk Can, the Strait-Jacket Escape and the Substitution Trunk.

REVIEWs:

"The first duty of any play is, of course, to entertain. Should that play be biographical then its second duty is to inform. In the case of "The Great Houdini", a lot can be learned about the man who is still regarded, 73 years after his death, as the greatest magician/escape artist of all time. It’s no easy task to boil a legend’s life down to two hours, but this company gives it sufficient recognition. ... Interesting facts of Houdini’s life and a few of Houdini’s most famous tricks, convincingly recreated these feats of daring (assisted by the audience) and, as a result, provides the most engrossing highlights. ... Producer London’s admiration for his subject is very apparent."

"The Great Houdini at The Stella Adler Theatre - What a great idea to have us meet the great Houdini at the Garrick Theatre, home of Houdini’s last performance. Alan London, a fine magician and performer at The Magic Castle, wanted to pay homage to his idol, so he set out to write a play about this unusual master of illusion and his escape artistry. It started as a monologue, but then other characters were introduced. George was added as a pivotal character and Houdini’s spirit takes him under his wing. George is a young runaway who lends his sympathetic ear as Houdini unfolds the tale of his life."

"An original play from a story by Alan L. London, "The Great Houdini" provides a beautifully staged, enchanting evening of theatre."

"Production values are top notch. Altogether an enjoyable evening of theatre and magic."

"The London Theater Works presentation of "The Great Houdini", is an impressive flashback tale of an amazing man’s life and work."

"Featuring live audience participation, mind-boggling tricks, death-defying illusions and heart-stopping escapes. "The Great Houdini" is a unique play, full of aura and mystery."

"Research for the play was spread over 12 years, gleaned from many books and articles. The audience will be involved in securing ‘Houdini’ in a strait-jacket, Metamorphosis (Sub.Trunk), and the Milk Can escape."

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