Help us get to over 8,756 articles in 2024.
If you know of a magician not listed in MagicPedia, start a New Biography for them. Contact us at magicpediahelp@gmail.com
Bertram Otto: Difference between revisions
WarMagician (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
| birth_name = | | birth_name = | ||
| birth_day = | | birth_day = | ||
| birth_year = | | birth_year = 1912 | ||
| birth_place = London | | birth_place = London | ||
| death_day = | | death_day = | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
He appeared on British television and extensively on the European cabaret circuit. | He appeared on British television and extensively on the European cabaret circuit. | ||
In his late forties, he turned his hobby as a railroad enthusiast into a business, exhibiting the world's largest model railroad at the World's Fair (New York) in 1964/65. He wrote 'The World's Largest Model Railway (64 pages, c1960). | In his late forties, he turned his hobby as a railroad enthusiast into a business, exhibiting the world's largest model railroad at the World's Fair (New York) in 1964/65. He wrote 'The World's Largest Model Railway' (64 pages, c1960). | ||
He kept on performing in later life and was an inspiration to British magician [[Geoffrey Durham]] who happened to live in the same street at him as a child. | He kept on performing in later life and was an inspiration to British magician [[Geoffrey Durham]] who happened to live in the same street at him as a child. | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Otto,Bertram}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Otto,Bertram}} | ||
Latest revision as of 11:38, 19 April 2022
| Bertram Otto | |
| Born | 1912 London |
|---|---|
| Known for | Pick pocket |
| Categories | Books by Bertram Otto |
Bertram Otto was a magician and pickpocket who performed an oriental act under the name Ming Chow
Biography
Bertram Otto was a magician and pickpocket, who was active in the first half of the Twentieth Century. Working as Ming Chow he was one of the most successful and highly paid after-dinner entertainers in London. He wore full Chinese robes and make-up. During his act he spoke in pidgin-English and used three simple tricks as cover for his steals, depositing his loot in special pockets in his robes.
During World War Two, he worked for ENSA and was manager of a small touring show ('Lucky Dip') which travelled throughout North Africa and the Middle East.
He appeared on British television and extensively on the European cabaret circuit.
In his late forties, he turned his hobby as a railroad enthusiast into a business, exhibiting the world's largest model railroad at the World's Fair (New York) in 1964/65. He wrote 'The World's Largest Model Railway' (64 pages, c1960).
He kept on performing in later life and was an inspiration to British magician Geoffrey Durham who happened to live in the same street at him as a child.