Ali Bongo - Jacket

£45

Out of stock

Ali Bongo was a British comedy magician, and president of The Magic Circle who performed an act in which he was known as the “Shriek of Araby”. He worked for Harry Stanley’s Unique Magic Studio and was manager of the magic department on Hamleys toy shop in London’s Regent Street. Bongo wrote many books on magic, many containing tricks of his own. He also illustrated them in his instantly recognisable style. He acted as magic consultant for many plays, opera, ballets and TV shows including David Nixon’s Magic Box, The David Nixon Magic Show for Thames Television and The Paul Daniels Magic Show for the BBC. Ali Bongo was the presenter of the Ali Bongo’s Cartoon Carnival, which featured himself and his assistant Oscar. It aired on UK TV BBC1 on Saturdays between 23 October and 18 December 1971, a total of nine episodes. His legendary ability for devising tricks and illusions and solving magical problems inspired the TV writer, David Renwick, to create a character who was a magician’s assistant and amateur sleuth in the series Jonathan Creek. Bongo was magical adviser to the series. Bongo joined The Magic Circle in 1960 and, two years later was made a Member of The Inner Magic Circle. He won The Magic Circle Magician of the Year in 1972, the Carlton Comedy Award in 1983 and the David Berglas Award in 1991. He served twice as vice-president of The Magic Circle before being elected president on 8 September 2008. This image is of Ali in one of his very recognisable jackets!

Magic Hands Poster approx 11 by 17 inches. Signed in silver pen. Sept ‘88.