Prestige magic

Ching ling foo
Chung ling soo death
Chung ling soo cause of death

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Ling Soo, Chung, 1861 - 1918

Dates

Biography

Chung Ling Soo was an American magician called William Ellsworth Robinson born in 1861.

William’s induction into performance started with his father, a vaudeville performer of Scottish descent, whose specialty acts included impersonations, ‘dialect singing’, hypnotism, ventriloquism and magic tricks.

William started to travel the vaudeville scene at fourteen, as ‘Robinson, the Man of Mystery’. At twenty six he adopted his first persona as ‘Achmed Ben Ali’, which help him add exoticism to his act and set him apart from the competition. His major act as Chung Ling Soo, did not come to fruition until later on, after he answered a called for a Chinese magician at the Folies Bergère in Paris in 1900. His act was inspired by an actual Chinese magician called Ching Ling Foo, with whom William maintained a professional rivalry throughout his career.

William performed an elaborate personal transformation to fit within his Chinese character, he wore traditional Chinese clothing and modified his physical look t

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A Man of Mystery: Chung Ling Soo…and What No One Knew

Audiences inside the The Wood Green Empire on the night of March 23rd 1918 entered the building anticipating excitement and awe, but they never expected this. Chung Ling Soo, the world famous “Man of Mystery” and ‘World’s Greatest Magician" was performing the bullet catching trick that placed him in the center of the magic world, but something went wrong. The gun went off as planned but Soo was staggering backwards. He was shot. The trick failed. But amazingly, this was not the most shocking part of the evening. That came when Chung Ling Soo, the master Chinese illusionist who only spoken Chinese cried out in perfect English “Oh my God. Something’s happened. Lower the curtain”.

The next day the news broke that not only had Chung Ling Soo died of his injuries, but that perhaps his greatest feat was hiding his true identity for his entire high-profile career.

An early postcard showing The Wood Green Empire

Born on April 2nd 18

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Chung Ling Soo

April 2, 1861 - March 24, 1918

Magic has always held an allure, captivating audiences with its spellbinding illusions and mysteries. Among the great magicians of history, there is one enigmatic figure who stands out: Chung Ling Soo. Born William Ellsworth Robinson, he embarked on a transformative journey that would bring him fame, tragedy, and an enduring legacy.

Chung Ling Soo was a master of deception, crafting an intricate persona as a Chinese magician to add an extra layer of mystique to his act. With his skillful performances and mind-bending tricks, he swiftly rose to prominence, captivating audiences across the globe. But here's the astonishing truth: Chung Ling Soo was not Chinese at all.

This revelation adds a layer of complexity to his story, highlighting the power of illusion not only on stage but in shaping one's identity. Chung Ling Soo's commitment to his craft was unparalleled, as he embraced a new cultural persona to enhance the enchantment he created. He transported audiences to a world of Oriental mystery and wonder, leaving them in awe of his