In 1926 Lewis Davenport, his wife Wynne and children Gus and Wyn toured South African theatres. They travelled there and back on R.M.S. Arundel Castle. These souvenirs made of electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) would come from this trip. The postcard showing the steamer is from the same period, no doubt also collected on the trip.
Anne Goulden describes how Clive Maskelyne’s Speed Show touring company was reviewed by the press in Leamington Spa. These were not easy times for Clive.
The bill includes Lewis Davenport presenting a series of bewildering novelties, assisted by Winifred Wynne & Co.
The acts on the programme are spread over several pages. The second illustration shown here is a compilation of the relevant parts of each page. Note that the second half of the programme is “Hullo Maskelyne” invented, written and produced by Oswald Williams.
The bill includes Lewis Davenport the bewilderist supported by Winifred Wynne presenting a series of bewildering novelties.
This is inscribed: ‘With best wishes to Mr & Mrs Lewis Davenport from Louis Val. Ridley, Hon. Sec. & Treas., Durban Magical Society. Whale’s tooth. A souvenir from Durban, Natal, South Africa. June 1926.’ Lewis and Wynne toured South Africa in 1926 with their stage act.
Signed by Linga Singh, 7 August 1926, Hippo. Bristol
