Born 4 Boston Terrace, Holloway, as David Wighton. His stage name was taken from the title of a painting ‘David devant Goliath’ (David before Goliath), and was first used, aged 17. Married his, no doubt beautiful, assistant in about 1888. Had a long and successful partnership with Maskelyne who had been one of his early inspirations. 1905 – 1915 they performed at St George’s Hall, next door to the Queen’s Hall. One of the first to recognise the potential of the Lumières’ 1896 demonstration in London of moving pictures. First president of the Magic Circle in 1905. Appeared in the first royal command variety performance in 1912. Died at the Royal Hospital for Incurables, Putney, from a progressive palsy which had caused him to retire from public performing in 1919.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
David Devant
Commemorated ati
David Devant
David Devant, 1868 - 1941, magician, lived here in flat no. 1. English Heritage
Other Subjects
New WImbledon Theatre
A Grade II listed theatre, which opened originally as just the Wimbledon Theatre. Many famous artistes appeared here between the wars. and the musicals 'Oliver!' and 'Half a Sixpence' premiered her...
Esme Percy
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Boris Karloff
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Person, Cinema, Seriously Famous, Theatre, TV & Radio, Canada, USA
Pimlico Tavern & Pimlico Pleasure Gardens, Hoxton
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Hebrew Dramatic Club
Londonist have a good post about London’s Lost Yiddish Theatre with an item on this theatre, the first purpose-built Yiddish theatre in London, founded by the actor Jacob Adler. A-misleadingly-nam...