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Edgar Benyon
| Edgar Benyon | |
| Born | Edgar Wilson Benyon March 29, 1902 New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Died | September 14, 1978 (age 76) |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
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.
Biography
Benyon 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 Award is an 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 Benyon.[1]
In his memory, the Benny Award is annually presented to a New Zealand variety artist who has achieved a lifetime of excellence in their chosen field.[2]
He was a mentor to Billy McComb.
A 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