The Lyceum Theatre is a prominent site which has great importance to the history magic as a form of mass entertainment. The prominence of the site to the history of magic is a result of the insight it provides on the behaviour of conjurors. As revealed by the actions of Houdini, many magicians competed with each other to gain prominence and win over audiences. The Lyceum Theatre is a site that better reveals this phenomenon of one-upmanship. The first, most prominent example of competition between magicians at the Lyceum is rivalry between Mr. Ingleby and Mr. Moritz in 1808.5 Moritz would promise to pay 300 guineas to anyone who could imitate Ingleby's illusions. These extravagant displays would draw the attention of newspapers, providing the magicians with publicity, and allowing them to make a name for themselves. Moritz became known as the "King of Conjurers," while Ingleby declared himself "Emperor of Conjurers."6 Harry Houdini also performed at the Lyceum Theatre with the promise to prove that contact with spirits was an impossible feat to achieve.7 The actions of conjurers at the Lyceum helps set the tone for how the form of entertainment was perceived. Many people would be intrigued by the drama between magicians and would go to the shows to see what made the magicians as great as they said they were. The Lyceum Theatre also featured many other shows for that were attractive to all classes of people, however, magical acts were often the most notable to lower classes and admission was not expensive.8 Certain conjurers at the Lyceum directly appealed to the lower classes in order to attract new audiences to see his performances. One magician, the John Anderson, "the Wicked Wizard of Lyceum," crafted a tale with the intent to attract working class families such as "tin-plate workers" and "trowsers makers" with the promise to show them spectacular sights that they would not believe.9 This example of publicity reveals the importance of the working classes to the stage magic industry since without less wealthy populations, lesser known magicians would not be able to make a name for themselves. Therefore, the Lyceum Theatre is a defining site in the history of mass entertainment since it was not a high profile theatre which allows it to provide examples of how low profile performers gain attention, and allows broaders audiences to be entertained.

1. "The First Lyceum Theatre," Arthur Lloyd, Wellington Street London, accessed November 15, 2017, http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LyceumTheatre.htm.

2. "Lyceum Theatre - Theatre History," Independent Guide to London Theatres, accessed November 15, 2017, http://lyceum.official-theatre.co.uk/london/histor....

3.Ibid.

4. Theatres Trust, "Lyceum," Theatres Database, accessed November 15, 2017, https://database.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2023.

5. Thomas Frost, The Lives of Conjurors (London: Tinsley Brothers, 1876), 172.

6. Ibid., 177

7. Lyceum Theatre, Advertisement, 1909.

8. John Feltham, The Picture of London, for 1809 (London: W. Lewis, 1809), 365.

9. Thomas Frost, The Lives of Conjurors (London: Tinsley Brothers, 1876), 253.