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
Joseph William Comyns Carr
Born 47 Devonshire Street. Author, gallery director and theatre manager. In 1877 he became co-director of the Grosvenor Gallery in Bond Street, which promoted the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brother...
Salisbury Court Playhouse
Built by Richard Gunnell and William Blagrove. The picture source website gives a lot of information.
Steven Berkoff
Actor, playwright, author and director. Born Leslie Steven Berks in Stepney. After studying at the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris, he founded the London Theatre Group where he directed his own adap...
Bedford Music Halls, Old and New
Performers and patrons were depicted by the artist Walter Sickert at the turn of the century.
Red Bull Playhouse
The inn's owner converted the inn-yard into the theatre. Parliament banned theatres in 1642 but some carried on and the Red Bull was successfully raided in 1649 and in 1655. The 1660 Restoration al...
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