A musical based on the life of early 20th-century illusionist The Great Lafayette (born Sigmund Neuberger), is set to take the stage in Edinburgh. The work is titled Lafayette: A New Musical, and I can’t help but wonder how many will see that and think this is a Hamilton spinoff. Neuberger, however, who was born in 1871 and died in 1911, was born over a century after the main writer of The Federalist Papers. This musical will reportedly focus on the personal cost of success and the idea of legacy, and will use illusions to propel the storytelling.
On May 9, 2026, the Studio Theatre in Edinburgh will host a one-day staged workshop of the musical, where the cast and creative team will share a work-in-progress version of the play to see how it works in front of a live audience. Audience members will also take part in a Q&A at the end, where they can learn more about the process of developing the production.
Those familiar with the life of The Great Lafayette will note that May 9 will be the 115th anniversary of the illusionist dying in a fire at a neighboring venue, Edinburgh’s Empire Palace.
The production is written by John Binnie, with music and lyrics by Richard Ferguson, and illusion and puppetry design by Fergus Dunnet. It’s financially supported by Capital Theatres and Creative Scotland.
“The musical starts with the fire in 1911 then flashes back to The Great Lafayette’s early years in Kentucky when he was trying out in a third-rate circus, and first meets Harry Houdini and Lalla Selbini,” Binnie told The Herald Scotland. “We explore the relationship between the three performers over the years as they grapple with fame, celebrity and friendships. We will attempt to give an essence of some of Lafayette’s illusions, inspirations, and style. With puppeteer Fergus Dunnet, we will also include The Great Lafayette’s dog, Beauty, in the show.”
No news yet on when the production will formally premiere.