Horace Sidney is of interest for a number of reasons, some concerning the interesting side-stories of his time in Sydney, Australia. His season at the Royal Hotel in Sydney is generally given as the earliest performance by a magician in Australia, as documented by previous researchers; though it is now known that a number of significant magicians pre-dated him. And, as will be seen later, he appears to have changed his stage name for a while.

Though it is not known when he arrived in Australia, Professor Sidney began advertising his first show to take place on April 5, 1854 (1). In a rather understated manner, and giving due acknowledgment that his magic was ‘taken from the repertoire of M. Robin (6), Herr Dobler (7), and the celebrated Wizard of the North, Mr. Anderson’, Sidney listed an impressive series of tricks, not the least of which was “The Invisibility of Charles Sidney”, presumably his brother. Frustratingly, the lives of neither Horace nor Charles can be penetrated further than their onstage appearance.   The relative modesty and refinement of Sidney’s promotions stands in contrast to so many of the other bombastic performers who were to come.

The venue for Professor Sidney’s shows was the Royal Hotel. The Royal Hotel was located in George Street between Market and King Streets, where the Dymocks building now stands, and is significant for being an early player in the long and distinguished history of the Theatre Royal in Sydney (2), right up to the present time. The original venue, a hotel with a dedicated theatre attached, was developed by theatrical pioneer Barnett Levey and opened in 1832. It was, at five stories high, the tallest building in the colony at that point, and in its early life had a large windmill on top. Levey, though he had a licence to perform theatrically, did not have proper permission to build his hotel/theatre, and he was soon facing bankruptcy.

Sadly, Levey appears to have suicided in 1837 after a long battle with the Establishment at a time when theatrical entertainment was regarded as scurrilous and not to be countenanced; his widow was unable to keep the theatre going, and by 1840 the building was ‘conveniently’ burned to the ground. A new hotel was built within a year, becoming a social hub for the city’s businessmen.  The hotel was demolished in 1923, and replaced by “The Block” or the Dymock’s building, itself now a stately historic city building.

So Horace Sidney would have been performing in rebuilt Hotel, not in Levey’s original theatre.  He titled his show the “Saloon of Magic”. However, in his advertisement of April 6, 1854, he notes that ‘a handsome stage has been fitted up, and every preparation made for the comfort of those who may honour him with their presence.’

In a rarity for that time, the Illustrated Sydney News (3) published an illustration of Professor Sidney performing on that stage.   Also on the bill were Mr Moss the ‘celebrated Pianoforte Player’, and Mr. Fairchild, singer.

On a regular basis throughout April and May, Sidney advertised his shows, including an invitation to fathers and mothers to bring their children to “Professor Horace Sidney’s Magic Temple” for an hour’s pleasant recreation and amusement. He included, on occasion,  a “gift show” in which cigars, dolls, and toys were given away. In the routine “The wondrous cup of hot coffee”, Sidney turned coffee beans into coffee, Indian Corn into sugar, peas into milk, and coffee cups into spoons.

 

Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (April 22) commented:

“THE SALOON OF MAGIC – We have availed ourselves of the opportunity of witnessing some of the latest and most popular feats of necromancy as now nightly performed in the Saloon of the Royal Hotel by Mr Horace Sidney, a magician of the true Andersonian school and whose claims to the degree of Wizard cannot for a moment be questioned. The celebrated Bottle and Gun Tricks, of which so much has been said and written, are included amongst other conjurations; and lovers of the marvellous will be amply repaid by a visit to the scene of enchantment.”

April 22 also saw the introduction of a trick titled ‘The Patent Magic Strong Box’ for the first time. So often the titles of trick give little clue as to the effect being shown; it might be speculated whether the Strong Box was Robert-Houdin’s “Light and Heavy Chest” in which an audience member was unable to lift a box, at the performer’s whim.

Through April 1854, Horace Sidney continued to advertise his ‘marvellous Plum Pudding’, ‘endless distribution of Cigars’, and ‘Diabolic Punch Bowl Trick’. “Those really fond of a good Cup of Coffee (as made in Paris) should go this evening to Professor Horace Sidney’s Magic Temple, where it can be obtained to perfection gratis, with the addition of a good cigar to walk home with.”

‘The People’s Advocate’ of May 27 gives us some clues as to the illusion presented under the title “The Miraculous Invisibility of Charles Sidney”, and also reveals that Charles was probably a youth (there is no assurance that he was really Horace’s brother.):

“The most unaccountable affair, however, is the mysterious disappearance of Master Charles Sidney. The Professor causes his brother to stand upon a table, he then covers him with an empty funnel, composed of hoops and painted calico. He then, aided by his assistant, lifts the youth, and funnel, off the table with a board beneath, and throws the funnel down before the spectators, when nothing of the youth is visible. The surprising feats of Mr. Horace Sidney are too numerous to be more fully discussed in the limits of a paper. They must be seen to be properly appreciated.”

As a small side-story, Sidney’s manager was Mr. Charles T. Sandon, a stationer, music dealer and pictorial art seller of 171 George Street near the Empire newspaper office; he was also an occasional music publisher and violinist. On May 3, 1854, he advised the public that he no longer had any connection with the Magic Temple, nor was he connected with Mr. H.Sidney from that date; the reason is not known. His name continued to appear under Sidney’s advertisements for a few more days.

After taking a Benefit night on May 13, Sidney announced an addition to his show – Mr. Scipio M. Clint, described as a ventriloquist but perhaps more accurately as a vocal impressionist, appeared before his audience in the roles of five separate characters, including Mr Antony Grumble, an old fashioned Gentleman, The Honourable Augustus Languish, a modern swell, and Miss Angelina Snowblossom, a very fascinating young lady; and it appears that Clint struck up a conversation with each of these remarkable characters, using the “remote voice” skill of the ventriloquist.  According to the ‘Empire’ of May 18, ‘in this attempt the illusion is complete, the sounds being in each case precisely those which would proceed from the characters and the situations he imagines.’

Clint was an interesting personality in his own right (4); a painter and drawing teacher in addition to his vocal skills, his father was probably a medal maker to King William IV. Clint came to Melbourne from London in November 1852, moving to Sydney in 1854.

After his appearances with Horace Sidney, Scipio M. Clint gave some one-man performances at the Royal Hotel in September 1854, including an exhibition of his collection of pictures of Old English scenery. He gave other performances of his ventriloquial abilities, as late as November of 1854 in West Maitland. In 1855, Clint set up with Mr Edmund Thomas in a portrait and landscape painting business, also offering lessons in drawing and painting; Around April 1855 they also worked as scenic painters for the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney.

Professor Sidney continued to work successfully at the Royal Hotel, announcing his farewell Benefit on Thursday June 15, ‘on which occasion he will surpass all former wonders, and trusted that those who have so liberally supported him will honour him with a farewell visit.’

Although Sidney had effectively announced the end of his season in Sydney, Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer published a lengthy paragraph of witticisms on July 1, 1854 implying that Professor Horace had ‘done a bunk’ to avoid his creditors.

[text is unclear in several areas]

But there is a description of "Natural Magic" which has occasionally out-witted us, and [burnt] our fingers. An instance of the kind we may give in a few words. Most of our readers [admit to] being stunned by the celebrated feat lately exhibited at the Royal Hotel by Professor Horace Sidney, in which he makes his brother, Charles Sidney, suddenly to disappear. Extinguishes him in fact. This may possibly admit of simple explanation enough; but the Professor has brought his wonderful performances to a conclusion by suddenly disappearing himself. Who can have extinguished him? Now, having a great respect for Wizards, small and great, and Devils of every shade of colour, hearing this, we should be glad to learn that our friend Horace has escaped the fate of Dr Faustus, such a report being rife about the Lucifer Match and Brimstone Manufactories in the city. The fact is we owe him a "little bill", and should be happy to cry quits with him before his final extinguishment. We have consulted the planets in vain, but have strong faith in our "Omniscent Eye" bringing him to light. We have just consulted "Napoleon's Book of Fate" and the index points to MELBOURNE. Professor Horace's latest feat of magic would consequently appear be that of being in the [City of ??] in the Colony of Victoria, at one and the same moment.”

The writer was correct that Horace Sidney had moved south to Victoria, and until now this fact has not been noted in the standard histories of Australian magic.

The Real Fakir of Ava – Firstly we need to dispose of any notion that this person was the same as the original Fakir of Ava.  Isaiah Harris Hughes (25 December 1810 – 24 May 1891) was a British-born magician who worked in the United States and was the mentor of the great American illusionist, Harry Kellar.  Although a few of his tricks were similar to the repertoire of the Australian performer, this was hardly uncommon at the time. There is no evidence that Hughes ever left his territory in the United States, and certainly he would not have travelled here for a month’s work. In ”Magical Nights at the Theatre”, Charles Waller is ultimately dismissive of the idea that Hughes ever came to Australia.

The proposition is that, in light of the above article in “Bell’s Life” implying that Sidney had departed with money still owing, Horace Sidney moved to Melbourne and temporarily adopted the alternative title “Fakir of Ava”.  The evidence for this follows:-

The Magic Laundry

Adventures of a Watch  (Sidney called it “Herr Dobler’s Far-famed Watch Trick”)

Miraculous Ink Delusion

Magic Cauldron

Imp Bottle  - The Inexhaustible bottle trick

Marvellous Disappearance of a Lady. Sidney’s trick was the “Invisibility of Charles Sidney”.

Celebrated Gun Trick

Magic Vegetation. Sidney performed "Magnetic Vegetation". Presumably a flower production.

Orange and Egg Delusion.   Sidney did "Orange and Ring" though an egg is not mentioned

Corn into Sugar – exact wording in both advertisements

Peas into Milk - exact wording in both advertisements

Distribution of toys

The precise correlation of these two advertisements, a year apart, must give the final proof.

We have just one partly unresolved issue. The “Argus” newspaper of October 5, 1854 advertised –

“FAKIR OF AVA (Charles Messenger) is requested to call immediately at the Sandridge Printing Office.”

So who was “Charles Messenger”? We know that Horace Sidney had referred to his supposed brother, Charles, in his invisibility trick. Could he have been Horace’s business assistant, arranging matters of publicity and printing? The October date of the plea for contact the printing office suggests that they were holding some old printing which had not been paid for; and Horace Sidney was nowhere to be seen at this time. It cannot be completely resolved, but the question arises whether the surname “Messenger” connects us to the magician’s identity  - was there a ‘Horace Messenger’?

The Fakir of Ava opened on July 14, 1854, and was reported to have been ‘a prodigieus favorite, and his inexhaustible bottle and hat cigar-case meet with especial patronage’; these being, of course, two of Horace Sidney’s signature routines. He was appearing in conjunction with the “Harmoneons”, a minstrel troupe under the management of E.Totten; the Harmoneons seem to have been working double-time with added appearances in Rowe’s Circus.

A comment from “The Banner” of July 25 was made that ‘his legerdemain is equal to that of his brethren in the mother county; but it is rather a pity it affects his speech; pure English would answer his purpose a great deal better than broken French, for he makes a sad jumble of it, as if conscious of detection.’  In light of his attempt at anonymity, this paints an amusing picture!

The Fakir continued successfully at the Criterion Hall throughout the month, joining forces with a Tyrolese band when the Harmoneons departed for Geelong and, later, Calcutta. August 1 was announced to be his last week, with a morning performance and gift show for Ladies and Children on the 5th followed by the his  farewell Benefit in the evening.  Then, the Fakir of Ava left the stage and was seen in that guise no more.

After Horace Sidney made his brief appearance in Geelong, he seemingly disappears again, and for some time we were left with no clues as to where he might have gone; the obvious speculation being that, like so many others, he was drawn to the Gold fields, either as a prospector or as an entertainer cashing in on the diggers’ demands for fun after their work.

Finally, a clue emerges, and “Sidney” is discovered again; but this time his name was shown as “Sydney”, and he now called himself The Great Wizard, Sydney.  This, of course, make it very hard to pursue him via a text search on the word “Sydney”. Whether this change was deliberate, or simply a misprint cause by the usual slackness of newspapers of the time, is not known; later advertising would revert to the spelling, “Sidney”.

He was at the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, Victoria, in the week starting  August 31,  1855. Although his repertoire was the same, “Sydney” had learned to advertise with a bombast which had only been adopted during his Melbourne season, and this paragraph is an exact match to the wording used by the Fakir of Ava:-

A point to be noted in his first promotion was that the performance would ‘conclude with the Miraculous Disappearance of the Wizard in a Cloud of Smoke.’ Since have been unable to shed any light upon the existence of his supposed brother, Charles, or what form this disappearing trick might have taken, it is only open to speculation that Charles might have left the act, leaving Horace solo.

Having finished at Castlemaine on Wednesday 5, the Mount Alexander Mail (Sep.7) does us a great service in glimpsing behind the curtains, commenting:

“… the Wizard Sidney concluded his entertainments in Castlemaine for the present, but did not disappear without paying his bills ( a great merit), generously handing over to Captain Ball the proceeds of the evening for the patriotic fund. This act is the more to be appreciated, from the fact that he has scarcely paid his expenses, and has a wife sick and unable to accompany him. His tricks were excellent and cleverly performed … if the Wizard returns to Castlemaine … he is as sure of bumper houses as he deserves them.”

He was seen at the Red Hill Hotel, Forest Creek (near Castlemaine) on September 7, but in competition with both heavy rain and a noisy troupe of “Hurdy gurdy girls” in the room next door. For the benefit of Castlemaine Hospital, Sidney performed about September 16, raising over £9, and ‘The Age’ reported that his audiences during the week had been large.

Upon his departure from Castlemaine, it had been suggested that Sidney was heading for Bendigo but if he did, no advertising can be found. What can be seen in the newspapers was the advance notices that the magical juggernaut, The Wizard Jacobs, was moving towards Bendigo and was to arrive in early October 1855. Faced with such competition, perhaps Sidney decided to stay away at that time – but although Jacobs did tour, he met with disaster at Ballarat in late November, having  to jump from his bedroom window when the United States Hotel caught alight. He lost much of his equipment in the blaze, and by December Jacobs had returned to Melbourne. His loss appears to have been Horace Sidney’s gain.

Sidney’s next appearance was again close to Castlemaine, at the Five Flags Hotel in Campbell’s Creek, for two nights only on December 26 and 27. Sidney makes a point of saying that Robin’s Celebrated Ink Vase delusion had been exhibited with admirable success at Balmoral, before her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria; but he does not say who the performer was!

Moving into 1856, Sidney arrived in Bendigo and performed firstly at the Royal Hotel, January 12 and 14, 15 and 19, then to a crowded house at Burall’s Union Hotel Concert hall, February 18, and into March at the Epsom Hotel on the 22nd where he announced his farewell Benefit night and promised to ‘Expose and Explain to the audience EACH and ALL of his astounding feats.’

A court report from the Bendigo Advertiser of July 23, 1856, mentions the drunken defendants had been to see the Wizard Sydney;  and it seems that their offense had taken place a week earlier. This is the last we see of the great Wizard, but it is reasonable to suspect that if he stayed in Australia at all, he continued to give shows in small townships around the diggings. We live in hope that more news will reveal itself in the future!

(1) Empire (Sydney NSW) April 5, 1854

(2) The Story of the Theatre Royal, Ian Bevan, Currency Press Sydney, 1993

(3) Illustrated Sydney News, April 22, 1854 and May 27 (same image)

(4) See https://www.daao.org.au/bio/scipio-m-clint/ and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scipio_Clint

(5) Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer,  July 1, 1854 page 2

(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Robin

(7) http://geniimagazine.com/magicpedia/Ludwig_Leopold_Doebler