John Nevil Maskelyne(1839-1917)
- Director
Nevil Maskelyne born in Cheltenham in 1839. Famous magician and
illusionist who teamed up with George Alfred Cooke' together they
presented a unique entertainment of magic, billed as 'Maskelyne and
Cooke' they became highly popular at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly,
London from 1873, here they completely transformed the art of conjuring
into a dramatic performance, they remained there until 1904. In 1896
the pioneering film maker Robert W. Paul approach him to perform in
front of the film camera, spinning plates and basins the film lasted
for only 20 seconds long. He died in 1917 in London age 78.