The First Woman Stage Magician
I've always had a certain interest in stage magic, whether it be sleight of hand, illusions of perspective, escape artistry, or any other creation of the impression of the impossible for the purpose of entertainment. If there was a Doug Henning special, I'd make sure to watch it if it at all fit into my schedule.
So I was immediately interested in the story of Adelaide Herrmann, the first woman stage magician. Originally the stage assistant of her husband Alexander, who performed under the stage name of The Great Hermann, she took over his business after his sudden death. In that time, there was not a clear differentiation between stage magic and the traveling menagerie, and as a result her act included a number of performing animals and stunts that would later become more typical of the circus. Sadly, a great many of these animals, along with most of her costumes, equipment and mementos, were destroyed in a warehouse fire.
My recent collection The Margins of Mundania contain several stories dealing with stage magic, including "A Moment of Magic," in which a young boy's stage magic set has just a little more, enabling him to bring joy to an entire town in the midst of an economic crisis.
So I was immediately interested in the story of Adelaide Herrmann, the first woman stage magician. Originally the stage assistant of her husband Alexander, who performed under the stage name of The Great Hermann, she took over his business after his sudden death. In that time, there was not a clear differentiation between stage magic and the traveling menagerie, and as a result her act included a number of performing animals and stunts that would later become more typical of the circus. Sadly, a great many of these animals, along with most of her costumes, equipment and mementos, were destroyed in a warehouse fire.
My recent collection The Margins of Mundania contain several stories dealing with stage magic, including "A Moment of Magic," in which a young boy's stage magic set has just a little more, enabling him to bring joy to an entire town in the midst of an economic crisis.