Few performers have earned the distinction of being celebrated both as Britain’s foremost conjuror and as an innovator who unveiled motion pictures to British viewers.
David Devant, commemorated with a heritage blue plaque at his former residence in Ornan Court, Belsize Park, pioneered advances in both sleight of hand and early cinema.
Originally named David Edmonston Wighton in 1868, Devant also served as the inaugural president of The Magic Circle, the renowned society for stage illusionists who zealously guarded the secrets behind the world’s most spectacular deceptions.
Devant revolutionised stage magic, elevating it into a sophisticated, entertaining theatrical discipline.
His well-known trademark phrase was all done by kindness, echoing his debonair and charismatic stage character.
As a creative entertainer, he devised numerous confounding illusions such as the Mascot Moth, during which a winged helper seemed to dissolve into a candle flame, and the Magic Kettle, which could conjure any alcoholic drink requested by spectators upon command.
One incident that captured media attention involved Devant being approached by a runaway mental health patient in the capital who demanded the magician produce coins from thin air.
Devant obliged until staff from the hospital arrived to remove the troubled audience member.
Another signature act saw him decipher text sealed inside an envelope, leading audiences to believe he possessed psychic or clairvoyant abilities.
As part of the Maskelyne & Cook troupe, Devant regularly performed at London’s Egyptian Hall, eventually becoming a partner in the enterprise in 1905.
It was at this venue that he made one of his most important contributions to entertainment history by bringing moving pictures to Britain.
He personally obtained a Theatrograph projector from film pioneer Robert Paul and took the courageous step of presenting motion pictures on March 19, 1896, at the Egyptian Hall.
This occasion represented the inaugural public film exhibition in Britain, occurring two days before Paul’s own commercial presentations at Olympia.
Devant broadened his cinematic activities, providing private exhibitions at private residences for a charge of 25 guineas and integrating the Theatrograph into his travelling illusion shows throughout the country.
Devant also featured in several of Paul Muswell Hill-based early productions, including The Mysterious Rabbit and The Egg Laying Man in 1896.
He exchanged early cinematic equipment and films with the French conjuror and special effects innovator Georges Méliès, and featured in one of Méliès’ filmed magical performances.
Devant frequently journeyed to Paris to acquire new French productions, which ranked among the finest globally.
He somehow managed to co-author the volume Our Magic and authored several instructional guides on conjuring.
As a prominent Edwardian figure, he participated in the inaugural Royal Command Performance in 1912 and contributed items that established the foundation of The Magic Circle’s collection and museum.
In 1904 he wed Annie Maria Gosling, who performed under the stage name Marion Melvill and aided him with his stage illusions and they had one daughter named Vida, who occasionally performed alongside him.
In honour of his accomplishments, the Circle presents an annual award under his name and maintains a bronze statue at its Euston headquarters portraying one of his most celebrated illusions featuring a boy, a girl, and some eggs.
Devant remained at the height of his career when his wellbeing deteriorated during the Great War and afflicted by what he described as paralysis agitans, he was compelled to step down in 1920.
He passed away in 1941 and lies interred at Highgate Cemetery.