Cabot Street Cinema Theatre - Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company - Print/Poster

Measuring 26.25" x 20.", this beautiful, glossy collectible print/poster is ready for framing. 

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Le Grand David and His Spectacular Magic Company was the longest consecutively running stage magic show in the world, it ran for 35 years. The show was the brainchild of Cesareo Pelaez, a Professor of Psychology at Salem University and a life time lover of magic. Pelaez, along with a group of friends, many who were past students, came together to purchase The Cabot St. Cinema Theatre in Beverly MA. in 1976. On Feb 20th, 1977, the first 'LeGrand David' Show debuted at the Cabot. Two hours of live stage magic with a cast that varied over the years to as many as 50+ performers and backstage people. The family-oriented stage magic show ran on most Sundays at the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre from late September to early June from 1977-2012. In the 1980s the company got together to purchase a second theatre in town called the Larcom Theatre and soon began presenting a totally different show of grand illusion and wonder.

The name Le Grand David, was actually the character name of David Bull who began as an apprentice to Marco in the early 1970s. Marco the Magi was the character name of Cesareo Pelaez. And 'His Own Spectacular Magic Company' comprised all the fellow artists and performers and crew. To the audience however they were truly all 'LeGrand David', which was pronounced 'DAH-VEED'.

The show itself found it's inspiration from the boyhood days of Cesareo Pelaez. As a boy in Cuba, his father would take him to see all the traveling magic companies that visited the island. Pelaez would see Chang, Richiardi Sr., Fu Manchu and many others. But it was the magic of Fu-Manchu that most impressed the young Cesareo. Other theatrical shows as well as music and dance had their influence on Cesareo and he soon put together his own variety show with neighborhood children. In a way, he was laying the groundwork for a dream that would eventually be realized in Beverly Mass.

In the early days of the production, everything was done in house. The costumes, the back drops and scenery, the props and illusions were all built, painted, sewed and made by the members of the troupe. Even on the rare occasion when they might purchase a prop, it was given the LeGrand David make-over. The attention to detail is breathtaking. The moment a person walks into the lobby of the Cabot Theatre they instantly know they are in a magical place. The ceiling tiles are all hand decorated, the walls are adorned with giant posters for the magic show, all hand painted by members of the company in the early days. In later years the majority of the painting work was done by Rick Heath with Cesareo's input on design. Each poster that promotes the show is it's own work of art.