Ali Bongo

Ali Bongo, actually William Oliver Wallace ( born December 8, 1929 in Bangalore, India, † March 8, 2009 in London ) was a British magician and comedian. He was president of the Magic Circle in England. Widely known he was in his role as Shriek of Araby ( "Cry of Arabia" ).

Bongo was born in 1929 in Bangalore, India, where his father was stationed as an officer. He grew up in Trimulgherry, Secunderabad, on. At seven, he moved with his mother to England. 16 -year-old, he left school to work as entertainers. His career among other things, Harry Stanley 's Unique Magic Studio and the management of the Department of Magic Items in Hamleys toy store in London.

Early on, he created the character of Ali Bongo, with its characteristic oriental costume ( robes, golden -toed shoes, big horn-rimmed glasses and a combination of Fez and turban ) and his fast-paced, mostly silent appearance. The name comes from a pantomime piece that he had written as a teenager with.

1960 Bongo was a member of the Magic Circle in England. Bongos television debut was in 1965 an appearance in The Good Old Days. He wrote numerous books on magic and also worked as a consultant trick for film, television and stage. He was voted " Magician of the Year" in 1972. He won numerous other awards. Twice he was Vice- President of the Magic Circle, before he was elected in September 2008 as President. In March 2009, he died at the age of 79 years in London pneumonia.