Virtual Exhibitions

Programme to accompany 'Maskelyne and Cooke's Mysteries', c.1901
EXEBD 18563

This programme probably dates from around 1901, and gives a strong sense of the ways in which magic shows were advertised. It lists the repertoire of tricks to be performed by David Devant and others at the Egyptian Hall, London. The inside is shown below, with the prominent inclusion of 'Animated Photographs' (i.e. moving pictures).

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Maskelyne and Cooke: Egyptian Hall, London, 1873–1904, by George A. Jenness, 1967
EXEBD 33284

Nevil Maskelyne and George A. Cooke were key figures in the magical entertainment scene in London at the end of the 19th Century. Their Egyptian Hall was a starting point for performers including David Devant, and was one of the venues where early film shows found a regular home in the repertoires of the resident magicians.

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Programme to accompany 'Maskelyne and Cooke's Entertainment', 1896
EXEBD 18564

This programme shows that the Egyptian Hall was showing moving pictures within months of the unveiling of the Cinématographe. Unlike the later shows, in which he was the star attraction, David Devant occupies a small space at the beginning of the running order.

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Programme advertising 'Maskelyne and Devant's Mysteries', 1909
EXEBD 18537

This programme for performances at St.George's Hall lists the repertoire of Devant and Maskelyne. George A. Cooke had died in 1904, and Devant took his place as Maskelyne's partner on stage. The inside of the programme is shown below.

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Boscombe Hippodrome programme, 1902
EXEBD 18565

This programme is particularly interesting because it contains a list of the tricks to be performed in David Devant's stage act, indicating how he used narrative scenarios to set up a trick. The inside of the programme is shown below.

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David Devant poster, 1910s.
EXEBD 10061

This double-sided poster (see back below) advertises the performances of David Devant, the Egyptian Hall's favourite conjuror, and later the star of several short films recording his tricks. He was a meticulous and precise performer and wrote many books on the subject of magic, emphasising the importance of performance as opposed to secrecy and deception.