Ching Lau Lauro
Ching Lau Lauro | |
|---|---|
| Born | Possibly Lauro Cecconi 1806–1808 |
| Died | Possibly 1892 or January 1840 Possibly Portsea, Hampshire or London |
| Other names | Ching Lau Lauro Professor Ching |
| Occupation | Magic (illusion) |
| Years active | 1827–1839 |
| Known for | (1) Possibly first in Europe to perform using limelight; (2) First in Europe to perform aerial suspension illusion. |
Ching Lau Lauro and Professor Ching were the stage names of a juggler and magician (1806?–1840; flourished 1827–1839) who performed outdoors and in theatres in London and the provinces. His real name is unknown; he was possibly Cornish and he was popularly known as Ching. He was the first magician in Europe to perform the aerial suspension illusion, and possibly the first to use limelight, and one of the earliest Western magicians to perform in Chinese costume. In 1834 he played at The Theatre, Leeds.