.png)
On Saturday 3rd August 2024 Members of DMC gathered at 100 Chester Green Derby to celebrate the unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque for the Derby Magician James Wakefield.
James who worked under the stage name of Professor James Carl lived at 100 Chester Green between 1875 and 1955. He was a semi-professional magician and ventriloquist, specializing on cigar magic in conjunction with serving as a Town Councillor for Derby City Council.
He performed several times at Maskelyn`s Theatre and also for Royalty. During the First World War he served with the Motor Transport in France and took the opportunity to perform for the troops near the front line. Later, back home, one of his shows of note was a fifty year successive booking at Christmas for the Institute for the Deaf.
James was also the godfather for David Theodore Bamberg, better known as Fu Manchu.
Prior to the ceremony several DMC Members performed for the guests who had attended and also did a walk about showing close-up magic.
The Plaque was then unveiled by Tim Green President of DMC. An accolade that, I feel would have been greatly appreciated by James.
Doug Gregg