Magicians

Harry Kane discovers Karl Allen and his wife Carol having sex backstage after a show, shattering the illusion of their trust. The moment exposes a secret agreement about extending the act for four more weeks and a cruise ship, which becomes a long-term grievance between them.

During the next show, Carol is locked inside the guillotine as the finale and is decapitated. The audience and the performers are left to wonder whether Harry is guilty, or whether it was a freak accident.

The act has broken up and both men go their separate ways. Harry works at a Wilkinson hardware store and is fired after he performs a dangerous illusion on a customer during a sales pitch.

Karl reinvents himself as the Mindmonger, pursuing a psychic act. He attracts Dani, the tea girl, who is smitten with him, while his agent Otto nurses an awkward crush on Karl, complicating his professional ambitions.

After several failed fundraising efforts, Harry spots the Jersey 'Magic Shield' competition with a £20,000 prize and decides to enter. The prize rekindles his hope of reviving their act and reclaiming their past success.

Harry recruits Linda as his new assistant, an old work friend with a poor dancing routine but reliable loyalty. Karl agrees to enter the competition with him, but tensions lead them to go into the tournament as separate acts rather than a united duo.

As they rehears, Linda's feelings for Harry grow, while he remains emotionally guarded and unable to express himself. The growing closeness adds pressure to their partnership and foreshadows the conflicts to come.

Linda discovers the guillotine prop among the magic items and convinces Harry to use it as the finale centerpiece. The decision gives their act a dangerous edge and foreshadows the personal strains that will unfold during the show.

Karl embraces the idea of a psychic act but faces a crisis of conscience when he considers contacting the dead. He even tries a dramatic sand-burial stunt to prove his abilities, testing his own integrity.

Karl informs Linda about Carol’s fate and Harry’s failure to tell her. Harry panics when Linda’s hotel room is found vacant and flies to London to find her, only to discover she has simply swapped rooms; he returns to Jersey in time for the finals.

On the finale night, Harry learns Linda has apparently slept with another magician, Tony White. Linda confirms it, but she is lying to spur Harry to open up about his feelings.

Backstage, Karl accuses Harry of murdering Carol; Harry angrily rejects the accusation and accuses Karl of preferring belief over guilt.

Karl begins his psychic act, but a crowd stooge trips and the deception collapses. He chooses to tell the audience that he cannot contact the dead, and Dani forgives him.

Harry performs as the 'Black Widower' while Linda loses nerve and flees the stage. Karl steps forward to face the guillotine instead, and the illusion works, leaving him unharmed.

Harry wins the competition, forgives Karl, and admits that he loves Linda. Linda joins him on stage, and they kiss as Karl and Dani join the act for a reunion tour, with Linda and Dani as their assistants.