Magic at War

Even more examples of war-themed tricks invented by magicians to keep their acts topical for audiences and capture the national mood during World War Two.  Electro and The Victory Stand Electro was a popular magician ’s trick during World War Two. The effect  involving swallowing and reproducing small lit electric light bulbs. It was invented by a magician called Cyro, and first published in Eric C. Lewis’  Studies in Mystery  (1941) with the title ‘Lighted Bulbs From Mouth’. Later, the effect was marketed by London-based magic dealer Lewis Davenports & Co. using the name Electro. It received rave reviews from their   customers: “Your Electro is the best effect for a good many years,”  wrote Danilla in The Demon Telegraph magazine.  While Ravelle reported, “I used ‘Electro’ for the first time (publicly) at a troop show last Friday. It was a SMASH HIT, they wouldn’t stop applauding” .  The Victory Stand ( Source:  Author, courtesy of The ...

Will Ayling was known as The Genie. This was apt, for he was both a magician and rather short in stature. He discovered magic in his late teens, learned his craft as war clouds loomed across Europe, and deployed his organisational skills to produce entertainments for war-weary troops throughout India and Burma. Post-war, he made a significant contribution to the advancement of the art, as a performer, author, collector and leading member of the magic community.     Promotional image for Will Ayling - The Genie (1954) (Source:Will Ayling) Learning magic   William Richard Ayling was born on 2 March 1914 in the port city of Portsmouth on England’s south coast.    As a youngster, Will was both ‘arty’ and a Christian. These two interests combined when he joined the drama group of a local church. He got involved in acting, writing and producing a range of entertainments. When the group put on a variety show, Ayling volunteered to find a magician to join the cast....