Albert Marchinsky

Who is Albert Marchinsky?

Albert Marchinsky was a stage illusionist and magician. He was born in Russian Poland c.1876 and died at Southend-on-Sea, England, 1930.

Marchinsky's stage name was "The Great Rameses", his bill matter described him as "The Eastern Mystic" and his costume and sets were intended to look Egyptian. He has been described as a follower of the magician William Ellsworth Robinson, whose stage persona was Chung Ling Soo.

He is said to have got his first inspiration in magic while watching a magician perform at the Royal Aquarium theatre in London in about 1890 and to have started out at that time as a performer in the small halls of London. By 1910 Marchinsky was recognised as a leading stage illusionist.

His act was on a large scale. An article written after his death described it as follows: "When the curtain rose, the audience saw an Egyptian temple with flaming censers and turbaned assistants. Rameses presented an illusion called 'The Fire Goddess' which was the peak of his performance. It was a cremation illusion with additions that greatly enhanced the trick. A girl was apparently cremated in a standing position.