Levante series, 2 January 1941 photographed by Ray Olson

How's Tricks? Magic in the Golden Age

  • Past Exhibition

<p>Stage magicians have baffled and amazed people for millennia, creating tricks and illusions which continue to confound onlookers today. During Magic’s Golden Age, from 1880 to 1920, many of the world’s greatest conjurers&nbsp;and illusionists made their way to Australia. Soon,&nbsp;Sydney was producing its own magical celebrities, several of whom would achieve great fame and stellar international careers.&nbsp;</p>

Exhibition Information

to
Past Exhibition
Free
Exhibition Galleries

1 Shakespeare Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
+61 2 9273 1414

Third world tour, famous Australian illusionist! The Great Levante : £1000 steel trunk mystery! : weird unique thrilling.

Tricks in the mirror

Generations of magicians visited Australia or began their careers here at a time when ‘wonder workers’ were a dominant force in the entertainment industry.

Stage magicians have baffled and amazed people for millennia, creating tricks and illusions which continue to confound onlookers today. During Magic’s Golden Age, from 1880 to 1920, many of the world’s greatest conjurers and illusionists made their way to Australia. Soon, Sydney was producing its own magical celebrities, several of whom would achieve great fame and stellar international careers. 

Spectacular illusions, bamboozling tricks, and death-defying escapes — step behind the velvet curtain and be amazed as Australia’s stage magic history is revealed.

 

Meet the Curator

Margot Riley

Margot has curated numerous exhibitions and displays for the Library and contributes expertise across a variety of collection functions including research, acquisition and interpretation. She is a cultural historian with a special interest in popular culture, photography and dress and has written and lectured extensively about the Library's collections.