Ching Lau Lauro

Ching Lau Lauro
Born
Possibly Lauro Cecconi

1806–1808
Possibly Venice, Italy
or Cornwall, England
DiedPossibly 1892
or January 1840
Possibly Portsea, Hampshire
or London
Other namesChing Lau Lauro
Professor Ching
OccupationMagic (illusion)
Years active1827–1839
Known for(1) Possibly first in Europe to perform using limelight;[1][2]
(2) First in Europe to perform aerial suspension illusion.[3][4]

Ching Lau Lauro and Professor Ching were the stage names of a juggler and magician (1806?–1840; flourished 1827–1839) who performed outdoors and in theatres in London and the provinces. His real name is unknown; he was possibly Cornish and he was popularly known as Ching. He was the first magician in Europe to perform the aerial suspension illusion,[3][4] and possibly the first to use limelight,[1][2] and one of the earliest Western magicians to perform in Chinese costume.[3] In 1834 he played at The Theatre, Leeds.[5]

  1. ^ a b Bundock 2000, p. 6.
  2. ^ a b See image of playbill where he is advertised to be using koniaphostic light (limelight): File:Herne Bay Museum 090.jpg
  3. ^ a b c During 2004, p. 109.
  4. ^ a b Ching Lau Lauro was first to perform Aerial Suspension Illusion 1835
  5. ^ Playbill for Theatre, Leeds, Monday 22 September 1834. See File:Ching Lau Lauro 1834.jpg