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If anyone is interested in a quick read, Gordon Rutter and Ian Robertson did some research on this and has put together a short book (just over 90 pages). It doesn't read that well but it's got lots of interesting information, theories, photos and posters in there. I went and watched his talk at Edinburgh Magic Circle and it was great!

http://www.gordonrutter.com/books/the-d ... lafayette/

Thank you Dave. Just ordered it. £10 post free. Will add to my other Lafayette book

Allen Tipton

There's a short film of the aftermath of the theatre fire at http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=1607. Please note it also includes grainy footage of the remains of Lafayette's lion.

More film, this time of the funeral itself... http://ssa.nls.uk/film.cfm?fid=1620

And on the 1911 Census, 'Beauty' the dog was shown as' Daughter' but crossed out - http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/2012/03/th ... 11-census/

Words which are very relevant today:

“They are philistines as far as the Magical Art is concerned. I don’t want to know anything about their unnatural “moves” and under-rehearsed slights. Their lack of knowledge regarding magic and the theatre appall me.

“Timing” and “misdirection,” not forgetting “presentation,” are part of a language utterly foreign to them. I ignore these men to whom the only magic words are “how much?” at a magic shop. It hurts my artistic sense to see magic debased by magical ignoramuses. A state my friend Mr. David Devant refers to as “Magical Indigestion.”

The Great Lafayette

Words I agree most strongly with and have done for years.
My version called it--Magician's Ego.

Oh Mandrake--I have not been able to open the film.

Allen Tipton

There is a theatrical contract, still in existence, dated, November 1910, showing Lafayette was paid £325 per week or for a fortnight £600 per week for performing 12 shows and two matinees.
Sir Oswald Stoll offered him £200 per week to tour all the top theatres. He refused & Stoll took this as an insult. Later however he changed his mind and offered Lafayette the entire Christmas Season at the London Coliseum.

Another tale-- and true-- was TGL had a steel plate installed in the base of the Lion's Bride cage.. If the beast was sulking or too quiet he got a bit of a shock to make him look fierce!! This was discovered and TGL was fined, for cruelty, and ordered to remove it.
On one occasion one his dogs got into the cage and without hesitation TGL jumped in,to rescue the dog, facing the lion, who sprang at him.
He received lacerations to his chest & ribs and was badly bitten in the shoulder.Collapsing through loss of blood, & in need of urgent medical attention, he nevertheless, would not leave the illusion out of the show.

What a great film his life would make.

BUT who would play--The Great Lafayette????????

Allen Tipton

DaveM wrote:If anyone is interested in a quick read, Gordon Rutter and Ian Robertson did some research on this and has put together a short book (just over 90 pages). It doesn't read that well but it's got lots of interesting information, theories, photos and posters in there. I went and watched his talk at Edinburgh Magic Circle and it was great!

http://www.gordonrutter.com/books/the-d ... lafayette/" target="_blank

Thanks for that link DaveM. Just like Allen will be ordering very soon. Regards Garry

If someone was chosen to play TGL:
I THINK

I would nominate:
Geoffrey Durham if it had to be a magician. And GD was an actor.
Hugh Bonneville--the actor.and even Colin Firth has the GL look

Allen Tipton

Allen Tipton wrote: Oh Mandrake--I have not been able to open the film.

It works OK for me but you can get to it via Google or even via http://www.greatlafayette.co.uk/

That's a interesting link Mandrake, give's you a good sauce of info about the man.. Its a shame I never got to know about this until recently as I would have probably attended that night.... Oh well I have visited the gravestone.... Regards Garry

My friend Kevin McMahon--organiser of the Edinburgh MagiFest has sent me today:
2 photos of Lafayette's grave. 1 is the whole edifice the other the tombstone with The Great Lafayette on it.
the other item is:

He has confirmed what Brain Lead wrote in his 1996 article:
***There IS still a permanent Exhibition to Lafayette in the Edinburgh Festival Theatre.

***He is also sending me footage of Voronin's tribute to Lafayette. This was done when Voronin topped the bill at the MagiFest held earlier this year.


Visiting magicians to Edinburgh make sure you visit the grave & the Exhibition.

Allen Tipton

Oh That's interesting Allen. Its a pity I never knew this when I was there last week, I would have went.. Hopefully will be heading that way again in October, to make another visit to my relatives, who live in Hawich, which is about 38 miles from Edinburgh.... Regards Garry

Probably one of the most interesting and informative posts for many moons - well done folks!

The 100 page book, The Death & Life of The Great Lafayette arrived this morning. Very quick delivery.It was ordered 2 days ago!!
Obviously I have not yet read it BUT:

It contains dozens of photos including some of the funeral procession, Beauty's transparent coffin with TGL's ashes in a wooden box by her paws, The giant floral tribute saying, The Last Act,The old Empire and its destroyed stage & the Festival Theatre with Ian Robertson & Gordon Rutter, the book's authors,standing in the Lafayette CORNER (4th. floor next to the stairs) with some of the exhibits on the walls. There are more photos of Lalla Selbini plus her efforts to take part of TGL's show which had not been burned back on the road. These included The Lion's Bride and a startling appearance of The Great Lafayette at the end of the show--do not get too excited. Miss Selbini having worked so closely with TGL knew all his mannerisms etc and created a double. Also she did not succeed and went back into a sell out show called Happy Days!! (no not the American TV series!) which ran for years.

There are photos and stories of Oswald Stoll, legends like Chung Ling Soo, Houdini, Kellar and miscellaneous variety acts. Plus of course Lafayette himself.

*** At the end of the book there is a web site you can go on to view: new material found since the book's publication & video footage***
and news of a book of magic postcards--and where to find out other magic events in Edinburgh.

At £10 (and this includes £1:20p postage) it is a snip for any real magician who treasures Magic's History and the traditions and brilliant performers of the Past.

Allen Tipton