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Edgar Benyon

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Edgar Wilson Benyon (The Great Benyon) (March 29, 1902 - Sept 14, 1978) was born in New Zealand and became one of New Zealand’s greatest entertainers. He toured the world with his "One-man revue" featuring magic, ventriloquism, juggling, rag pictures, quick-change, contortions and impressions.

Edgar Benyon
BornEdgar Wilson Benyon
March 29, 1902
New Zealand
DiedSeptember 14 1978 (age 76)

Edgar would go through his illusions, changing his costume every ten minutes with the lead-in “same man different clothes”.

He disclosed in The Linking Ring (Vol. 26, # 5, 1946) that he had about "25 tons of paraphernalia, enough to fill six railroad vans each 40 feet long".

The Grand Master of Magic is the supreme award for excellence for a New Zealand magician. It was inaugurated by the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc in 1969 and the first recipient was Edgar.

He was a mentor to Billy McComb.

In his memory, a "Benny" award is given at the annual vaudeville competition in New Zealand.

Book about his life was written by James Reilly called Same Man - Different Clothes ! The Life and Times of The Great Benyon (1994) ISBN 0959798617

References