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[[File:35 Years Poster copy.jpg|right|thumb|Poster]]'''Le Grand David and His Spectacular Magic Company''' was the longest consecutively running stage magic show in the world, it ran for 35 years. The show was the brainchild of [[Cesareo Pelaez]], a Professor of Psychology at Salem University and a life time lover of magic. Pelaez, along with a group of friends, many who were past students, came together to purchase The Cabot St. Cinema Theatre in Beverly MA. in 1976. On Feb 20th, 1977, the first 'LeGrand David' Show debuted at the Cabot. Two hours of live stage magic with a cast that varied over the years to as many as 50+ performers and backstage people. The family-oriented stage magic show ran on most Sundays at the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre from late September to early June from 1977-2012. In the 1980s the company got together to purchase a second theatre in town called the Larcom Theatre and soon began presenting a totally different show of grand illusion and wonder.
[[File: JNHilliard.png|right|thumb|200px|[[ John Northern Hilliard]]]]


The name Le Grand David, was actually the character name of [[David Bull]] who began as an apprentice to Marco in the early 1970s. Marco the Magi was the character name of Cesareo Pelaez. And 'His Own Spectacular Magic Company' comprised all the fellow artists and performers and crew. To the audience however they were truly all 'LeGrand David', which was pronounced 'DAH-VEED'.  
'''John Northern Hilliard''' (1872 - 1935) was a Rochester newspaper man  and clever amateur magician.


The show itself found it's inspiration from the boyhood days of Cesareo Pelaez. As a boy in Cuba, his father would take him to see all the traveling magic companies that visited the island. Pelaez would see [[Chang]], [[Richiardi Sr.]], [[Fu Manchu]] and many others. But it was the magic of Fu-Manchu that most impressed the young Cesareo. Other theatrical shows as well as music and dance had their influence on Cesareo and he soon put together his own variety show with neighborhood children. In a way, he was laying the groundwork for a dream that would eventually be realized in Beverly Mass.  
== Biography ==
Hilliard was dramatic critic with The Chicago Herald and later on the staff of The Rochester (N. Y.) Post Express. After moving to New York, he met [[Howard Thurston]] while a reporter on The New York World and became interested in magic. John was credited with securing the master magician with his first engagement on the stage. Several years later Thurston induced Hilliard to give up his newspaper work and become his personal representative.


[[Le Grand David |Read more about Le Grand David ...]]
With the urging of [[Floyd G. Thayer]], John starting writing for [[Thayer's Magical Bulletin]] magazine. In 1925, Hilliard became an advance man for The Thurston show. During this time he accumulated notes on what he was learning about magic. In 1932, Carl Waring Jones urged him to turn his notes into a book, offering to publish it. But Hilliard suddenly died of a heart attack in 1935 while in a hotel room in Indianapolis.
 
[[John Northern Hilliard|Read more about John Northern Hilliard…]]

Latest revision as of 09:23, 20 February 2026

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John Northern Hilliard (1872 - 1935) was a Rochester newspaper man and clever amateur magician.

Biography

Hilliard was dramatic critic with The Chicago Herald and later on the staff of The Rochester (N. Y.) Post Express. After moving to New York, he met Howard Thurston while a reporter on The New York World and became interested in magic. John was credited with securing the master magician with his first engagement on the stage. Several years later Thurston induced Hilliard to give up his newspaper work and become his personal representative.

With the urging of Floyd G. Thayer, John starting writing for Thayer's Magical Bulletin magazine. In 1925, Hilliard became an advance man for The Thurston show. During this time he accumulated notes on what he was learning about magic. In 1932, Carl Waring Jones urged him to turn his notes into a book, offering to publish it. But Hilliard suddenly died of a heart attack in 1935 while in a hotel room in Indianapolis.

Read more about John Northern Hilliard…