This was painted by magician and family friend Bryan Baggs in 2020. It is No. 2 of 30. It is based on a poster design for the stage act of Lewis and Julia Davenport, although no copy of the poster has ever been found. The image was also used for a postcard: see Ref. no. N450. Their act was silent, hence the billing ‘No Time to Talk’. Lewis and Julia performed from 1904-1909, so the date of the postcard is circa 1906.
On 9 February 2012 Anne Goulden gave this talk at the British Music Hall study group in London. It follows Lewis Davenport’s performing career from around 1900 to around 1930 and explains how he juggled his time between his magic business, music hall work, and other performances. On the way it provides an overview of the different types of variety entertainment during the period.
Lewis Davenport and his first wife, Julia, had some success with this act in 1904-09. It was a fast-paced act and, unusually for the first decade of the 20th century, both Lewis and Julia performed the magic. Anne’s talk follows their progress and focuses on the tricks that made up the act. Click below to read how the act developed and what was in it.
The Davenports was Lewis Davenport with his first wife Julia. As part of the act Julia did card manipulations, hence her billing as Lady Card Manipulator.
The bill includes The Davenports, lightning illusionists and magicians. No time to talk.
The bill includes The Devonports lightning magicians and illusionists: Everything at their fingertips: No time to talk. The correct name of the act was The Davenports. It consisted of Lewis Davenport and his first wife Julia.
The bill includes The Davenports very special line of business.
Lewis and Julia Davenport had a second spot on the bill as Doo and Dare, Comedy Jugglers.
The bill includes The Davenports, Lewis and Marie, marvellous lightning magicians and illusionists, no time to talk.
The Davenports were Lewis Davenport and his first wife Julia. Julia did magic in the act, rather than acting solely as an assistant.
