Adventurous woman who was born to perform makes it big in this magical spectacle. For some girls being ordinary was more than satisfactory but Addie wasn’t one of those. She craved excitement, to astonish, to shock and to dazzle. And this she would do. At a time when young girls on stage defied convention, Addie performed as a dancer before marrying legendary magician Herrmann The Great and joining in with his show. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for the crowds; set alight, decapitated, even shot out of a cannon. So when Herrmann tragically died, Addie knew the show must go on. But how to ensure the crowds came? The trick that terrified her the most could be the way to fill theatres but could she find the bravery to perform the Bullet-Catching Trick… Prepare to be astonished, shocked and dazzled by a legendary magician and master illusionist that you may not have heard of, I certainly had not. In this mesmerising picture book biography, Mara Rockliff tells the dazzling and captivating story of an aspiring performer’s rise to glory and her success in becoming the world’s first female conjurer. At a time when magicians and illusionists were men, Addie was a gender-defying phenom. Forging a career as female conjurer was quite possibly her greatest trick of all and earned her the moniker, ‘The Queen of Magic’. Revered by the audiences that she entertained around the world, her famous fans included escape artist Harry Houdini, and Harry Kellar would describe her show as, ‘perfect in every detail.’ She astounded and amazed everyone, her impact amongst magicians and within the world of illusion, now legendary. Addie’s true and thoroughly entertaining story will keep readers on the edge of their seats and Iacopo’s gorgeous artwork that brings alive the nineteenth century is as magical as the woman he depicts. Detailed back-matter adds a a further layer of interest and includes commentary on Addie’s life and the riveting quest to ensure that ‘The Queen of Magic’ was not forgotten about. A quest that would pluck a name from obscurity, a recognition of achievements and the discovery of a memoir. And if you want to know the secret behind that bullet trick, you can find out here.
This spectacular show is definitely worth the entry price! Recommended for 8+.
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