Dates

• Existence: c1799 - 1879

Biography

Felix Testot was born in 1799, the son of French magician Felix Testo (senior), who emigrated to England in 1789 after the French Revolution. Felix performed in most large English towns as well as private and charitable functions from the 1820s onwards, returning to France for a brief period of time at some point during the 1830s, when he performed in front of Louis Philippe, from whom he received a certificate of approbation.

The earliest record of the Testots in magic literature appeared in 1876 in Frost’s ‘Lives of the Conjurors’ where Testot was described as ‘A French professor of the art, who had gained some repute in his own country, and performed before Louise Philippe, who gave him a certificate of approbation, came to England, and performed in most of the English provincial towns’. Testot was also mentioned in ‘The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin’ written by Houdini in 1908, probably referring to Testot (senior).

Testot’s shows were a family affair involving his wife and later his son, Felix Testot Jnr born in 1830. The shows were regularly accompanied by variety and speciality acts such as strong men, acrobats and exhibitors of mechanical wonders, which provided added entertainment. During the 1830s and 1840s Testot also added optical illusions to his show ranging from optical exhibitions to dioramic views and other visual tricks based on the use of mirrors.

Testot’s most renowned acts were the ‘Ne Plus Ultra of the Cabalistic Art’, the ‘Loaf Trick’, the ‘Transformation of a Bird to a Child Growing into a Lady’ and the ‘Dancing and Speaking Money’.

As well as an accomplished magician, Felix Testot was a skilful juggler and a generous benefactor to charity. Testot and his family travelled the breath of the United Kingdom including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the majority of the English counties for twenty years.

Felix had two sons, Felix jnr and William.

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