Perth, Australia based The Last Great Hunt bring their multi-award winning one-man play The Great Ridolphi, written by Chris Isaacs to this year’s Fringe.
A tale of suspense and mystery, it tells the story of “The Great Ridolophi”, magician and illusionist. Ten years after his death, his son Victor O’Meara is visited by detectives inquiring about the whereabouts of a missing Francisco Goya’s masterpiece, Witches in Flight.
Running out of time as he has been diagnosed with stage three cancer, revisiting obscure items left to him by his father, taking various train journeys across Europe and Hungary, Victor delves into a world of hidden clues to uncover the truth behind The Great Ridolphi’s involvement with one of the greatest arts heists of the century.
Trent Suidgeest’s set and dark lighting ably complement the action unfolding on stage. With a simple set, comprising a table and a couple of chairs, further intrigue is created by a telephone box in the corner of the stage. Video projections onto its back wall of the old magician at works, and scenes of the many locations Victor will visit on this journey to solve the clues, helps carry the story. Much like the Dr Who telephone box, it provides that air of supernatural intrigue and illusion that much of the story encompasses.
Fast paced and mysterious, Steve Turner as Victor Ridolphi gives a bold performance, not once losing the pace of the play. Playing half a dozen characters, Turner, moves expeditiously through Victor’s journey, much like Victor’s quest to solve the intrigue posed by The Great Ridolphi, before his own life runs out.
Part adventure, part mystery, the play will have you gripped from start to finish. Great entertainment, a wonderfully engaging performer, funny, enlightening and sheer magic.