Virgil the Magician

VIRGIL THE MAGICIAN (Virgil Harris Mulkey) d1989. Magician & illusionist who toured the United States many times during the 1930-40's ; appearing in hundreds of theatres and school auditoriums. In 1929, he became part-owner of a motion picture theatre in Port Townsend Washington. One evening, he accidentally injured an young girl named Julie Capriotti who came up to help him on stage. He felt so bad about the accident that he started visiting her resulting in them falling in love and marrying in 1931. That year they hit the road with 10 tonnes of equipment for their touring show. Highlights of the show were his original Canary In Lightbulb effect, his original version of P T Selbit's "Sawing" illusion and their performance of The Spirit Cabinet. In 1952, they began a five year World Tour with their 33-ton show consisting of 20 illusions, 120 costumes and 19 full sets of scenery ; visiting Australia, Tasmania, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, England and Ireland. Returning to America, the couple continued touring the US and Canada annually through to 1978. The couple retired to the home they had built in 1965 overlooking Boston Harbor in Olympia, Washington. Virgil died on October 12th 1989 aged 89 and Julie in 2000.