Also known as: Dark Forces
A child’s party magician named Gregory Wolfe (Robert Powell) inserts himself into the family of an up-and-coming politician named Nick Rast (David Hemmings) after he mysteriously heals Nick’s son Alex of an incurable disease.
If that sounds like the story of Grigori Rasputin, it should. Harlequin is an adaptation of Rasputin’s story with the Tsar of Russia’s family.
Wolfe tries to steer Nick away from his political backers, who are up to no good, leading to a confrontation in act three. Does Wolfe have magical powers? Or is he just a talented illusionist and science expert? This has just enough going for it to squeak its way above two paws, mainly due to Robert Powell’s portrayal of the campy yet cunning lead character.
