Back

Illusionists and conjurers

1878

Illusionists and conjurers

Share

  • Intro

    Illusionists and conjurors were popular attractions in Victorian theatres and exhibition halls: audiences could sit amazed as ghosts appeared on stage and automata solved mathematical puzzles. Renowned performers appeared to levitate, slice the heads off spectators and escape out of locked boxes. This poster from 1878 advertises a performance given by the 'spirit-medium' Mademoiselle Odin, who it claims studied at the Paris Conservatoire, and would 'appear in the marvellous flight, and float her body from the stage to the balcony. No so-called spirit-medium or conjurer in the world has ever been able to perform this marvellous feat.'

     

    Shelfmark: Evan 501

  • Image

  • Video

  • Audio

    Can't play the file above? Listen to the audio clip here

  • Transcript

    Illusionists and conjurers - poster

    Original text:

     

    A most amusing, extraordinary, and bewildering Entertainment. - London Standard, January 12th. 1877. 

    TOWN HALL, STRATFORD.

    _______________________________

    SATURDAY AND MONDAY EVENINGS, JANUARY 5th & 7th, 1878.

    _______________________________ 

    Doors open at 7.30; commence at 8 o'clock. Carriages at 10. PRICES OF ADMISSION - First seats, 1s; Body of Hall, 6d. Seats and Tickets may be secured in advance of Mr. Lyon at the Hall, without extra charge. 

    _______________________________

    COLONEL CORDOVA's London Popular Entertainments. 

    Endorsed by the entire Press as being the most MYSTICAL, MUSICAL, MIRTHFUL, AND MARVELLOUS Ever introduced to an audience.

    _______________________________ 

    MDLLE. ODIN from THE CONSERVATOIRE. PARIS, in her Extraordinary SORCELLERIES or LIGHTS & SHADES OF THE SPIRIT WORLD. Introducing all the CABINET PERFORMANCES, and SO-CALLED SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS. (Under the most severe test conditions,) as produced by: SPIRITUAL MEDIUMS FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS. Madlle. ODIN will also appear in THE MARVELLOUS FLIGHT, AND FLOAT HER BODY From the STAGE to the BALCONY. No so-called SPIRIT-MEDIUM or CONJURER in the World has ever been able to perform this Marvellous Feat. Madlle ODIN will be first secured in a SACK then Locked and Corded in a Box by a Committee appointed by the Audience, and in a very few seconds will be seen to Float to the Balcony of the Hall.

    _______________________________

    MR. J. MERRINGTON, THE EXTRAORDINARY TENOR.

    Miss BLANCHE ELLIOTT, THE ENGLISH BALLAD VOCALIST, and MISS A. FARQUHARSON, The Celebrated Cantatrice, in Duetts and Favourite Ballads.

    _______________________________ 

    PROFESSOR GOLDING, The Premier Ventriloquist of the World, and Humourous Mimic, will give his unrivalled Musical and Mirth-provoking VENTRILOQUIAL SKETCH!!

    _______________________________

    Miss Lily Turner, SOLOIST AND ACCOMPANIST.

    _______________________________ 

    SPECIAL NOTICE!! NEW YEARS PRESENTS. FREE GIFTS. Every Purchaser of One Shilling Admission Ticket, will be Presented WITH A NEW YEAR'S GIFT. 50 ELEGANT & COSTLY PRESENTSWILL ALSO BE: GIVEN AWAY At the conclusion of the Performance. For Full Particulars, see Programmes.

Find out more about the Illusionists and conjurers Here

Explore more timeline content: