Person    | Male  Born 22/2/1868  Died 13/10/1941

David Devant

Categories: Theatre

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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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

Read More

Other Subjects

Jon Pertwee

Jon Pertwee

Actor.  Born 3 Sheffield Terrace, Kensington. Having served in the Royal Navy and the Naval Intelligence Division during WW2 he became widely known during his 18 years (1959–77) playing Chief Petty...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio, USA

3 memorials
Helen Carte

Helen Carte

Born Wigtown, Scotland as Susan Helen Couper Black. Later changed "Black" to "Lenoir", apparently the family's original name in 17th century France. Starting as secretary to Richard D'Oyly Carte s...

Person, Commerce, Music / songs, Theatre, Scotland

1 memorial
Ashley Dukes

Ashley Dukes

Playwright, critic and theatre manager. Founded the Mercury Theatre. Husband of Dame Marie Rambert.

Person, Theatre

1 memorial
Dame Jane Elizabeth Ailwên Phillips, DBE

Dame Jane Elizabeth Ailwên Phillips, DBE

Known professionally as Siân Phillips, she was born Bettws, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Married to Peter O'Toole through the 60s. Played Livia in the BBC series "I, Claudius". Her birth was registered...

Person, Theatre, TV & Radio, Wales

1 memorial

Previously viewed

R. L. Williams
War dead, WW1
1 memorial