Magician. Born David Wighton in Highgate, London, the son of a Scottish landscape artist, James Wighton. Taking the stage name Devant early in his career, he became a member of Maskelyne & Cook company which was acknowledged as the showcase for the age's premier magicians and performed regularly at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London. In 1896 he introduced the Theatrograph into the company's programs on his own initiative since the others had no faith so called animated photographs and performed in the earliest films depicting the conjuror's art, including "The Mysterious Rabbit", "The Egg Laying Man", and "Objects Produced from Paper". He infused his act with a humorous patter that was contrary to the pseudo-scientific pose of many of his peers and modern British magicians consider him as the finest early example of entertaining magical theatre. Eventually his contribution to the troupe led to a partnership with John Nevil Maskelyne in 1905. He was selected to represent his profession at King George V's command performance at the Palace Theatre in London in July 1912. He left Maskelyne & Cook in 1915 and toured a solo act before retiring in 1920 as illness, possibly Parkinson's disease, began to affect his health. He is credited with the invention of at least half a dozen classic illusions and the authorship of several manuals on conjuring, including "Our Magic: The Art in Magic, the Theory of Magic, the Practice of Magic".
Magician. Born David Wighton in Highgate, London, the son of a Scottish landscape artist, James Wighton. Taking the stage name Devant early in his career, he became a member of Maskelyne & Cook company which was acknowledged as the showcase for the age's premier magicians and performed regularly at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London. In 1896 he introduced the Theatrograph into the company's programs on his own initiative since the others had no faith so called animated photographs and performed in the earliest films depicting the conjuror's art, including "The Mysterious Rabbit", "The Egg Laying Man", and "Objects Produced from Paper". He infused his act with a humorous patter that was contrary to the pseudo-scientific pose of many of his peers and modern British magicians consider him as the finest early example of entertaining magical theatre. Eventually his contribution to the troupe led to a partnership with John Nevil Maskelyne in 1905. He was selected to represent his profession at King George V's command performance at the Palace Theatre in London in July 1912. He left Maskelyne & Cook in 1915 and toured a solo act before retiring in 1920 as illness, possibly Parkinson's disease, began to affect his health. He is credited with the invention of at least half a dozen classic illusions and the authorship of several manuals on conjuring, including "Our Magic: The Art in Magic, the Theory of Magic, the Practice of Magic".
Bio by: Iola
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