If you’ve ever considered the history of the Ottawa area, you know there are surprises around every corner. For grand illusionists, and husband and wife duo, Ted and Marion Outerbridge, a perfect opportunity arose when they moved into and began renovations on their Victorian house built in 1892 six years ago.
“We’ve experienced some really exciting adventures in this house,” says Ted Outerbridge, one half of Ted & Marion Outerbridge and illusionist extraordinaire. “The show is based on a true story, so it’s quite close to being completely true.”
Mysteries of the Keyhole House, which is performing at Carleton Place from July 19–28, combine the restoration effort undergone by the Outerbridges and their journey documenting the process, with their years of experience as illusionists.
The Keyhole House, located in the Ottawa Valley, boasts decades of Ottawa’s local history, and may or may not be inhabited by spirits from beyond the grave.
We’re telling the story of living in an old house with a ghost and sharing the tale. So, there’s grand illusion, there’s people vanishing and appearing and floating in the air. But, at the same time, we have this story which has gone viral on social media.
Ted Outerbridge in Mysteries of the Keyhole House. Photo by Kathy Botham.
Ted began uploading videos of the restoration to social media during the pandemic, and was met with viral success.
“That happened during COVID—I couldn’t perform any magic shows, so I was kind of down in the dumps,” says Ted. “I started to celebrate the discoveries that I was making in the house and share them on social media, and people started to engage.”
With over 30 million views on social media, and appearances on CTV National News, a TVO documentary and even an appearance on the golf channel, the Keyhole House was starting to get the recognition Ted says it deserved.
“I realized that people enjoyed hearing these stories, so it just clicked in my brain that I’d actually written a new show—we’re going to tell the story of living in this incredible house, and share it with people using our magic and illusions.”
There are various histories and figures that come to life, that Ted and Marion are helping the Keyhole House’s previous inhabitants find peace.
Could this be a spirit from the Keyhole House? Photo by Don Miller.
In one example, Ted says that during one of their restorations, they found a photograph of a World War I veteran that had fallen behind the fireplace mantle. They later identified him as Sergeant John Briggs and discovered that he had been buried in an unmarked grave in Smiths Falls. After applying to the Last Post Fund, thanks to the Outerbridges, he will be receiving a military headstone after over 100 years.
“The house keeps feeding us fun little experiences,” says Ted.
Marion Outerbridge in Mysteries of the Keyhole House. Photo provided.
A show for all ages, Mysteries at the Keyhole House not only details the incredible coincidences and history of the Keyhole House and its former residents, it also features some epic magic.
“When we ask people what they love about the show, they tell us different things—they all come back to the story, but they love the story along with the magic,” says Ted. “We’re using all the tools to create an experience that will stay with people for a long time.”
Mysteries at the Keyhole House plays at Carleton Place Town Hall Auditorium from July 19–28. Tickets can be found through eventbrite. Also be sure to check out the Keyhole House on social media to catch up on all the restoration that inspired the show. You can find Ted and Marion Outerbridge on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook.
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