John Nevil Maskelyne

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.