IT seems the feline star of Blackpool's Mystique show has been trained a little too well - he has completely vanished.

DeVille the cat, who has been tutored in stage work by headlining illusionist Richard De Vere, disappeared from his locked Pleasure Beach dressing room on Saturday morning (May 17) and despite a thorough search of the amusement park has not been seen since.

Now, with just a few days of rehearsals left before the show's opening night on Saturday (May 24), a reward is being offered for his safe return.

A jet black Siamese-cross, DeVille is just a year old and the person who tracks him down will have a night out for two at Mystique and a meeting with Richard De Vere.

Anyone who can help should contact the show's production company Stageworks on 341033.

All of this has been particularly distressing for Richard's dog Schnorbitz, as the illusionist explained: "I have had the cat since he was six weeks old and the pair of them sleep together.

"Schnorbitz is really missing him and hasn't eaten properly since the weekend, but I'm sure she'll be all right for the show - she's a professional."

DeVille's disappearance follows in the footsteps of a pair of show illusions which went missing under similar circumstances last week.

"It is all very mysterious, things keep disappearing," said Richard.

"We are down to the last few days of rehearsals and it's something we could do without.

"We have had to cut out one section of the show already because the illusion which went missing had to be flown in from America.

"We just can't understand how it has happened."

True professional, however, Richard has insisted the show must go on, explaining: "Rehearsals are going well provided nothing else vanishes. This year's show is fantastic with some wonderful new illusions.

"We have a Salvador Dali section because the guy was so mysterious and there is a great mirror illusion from America."

Also appearing is comic favourite Tom Bright, whom Richard is training to perform a trick of his own, singer Diane Lee Carol, Richard's assistant Marc Lawlar and 11 dancers.

"This year we are trying to appeal to a younger age group," said the star.

"My generation missed out on the theatre age so we want them to come to the show, maybe have dinner and enjoy themselves.

"The fun for the audience is trying to guess how we do it. My fun is not letting them find out."

Mystique runs three nights each week throughout the season.

Ticket details are available from the Central Booking Office on (01253) 341033.

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