M. Decanis
M. Decanis (Monsieur Decanis) was a professional actor and illusionist from France.
He visited Cape Town in 1837 and is listed as being from the "Theatre Royal, Paris". He was presumably on his way to Mauritius, and stopped over for a while in Cape Town, first performing there on 28 February and 7 March 1837. The programme refers to A Fantasmagorie, an illusionary presentation (magic lantern presentation[1]) in the style of "the celebrated Pantomime of Prof. Le Conte". (The presentation is also referred to as a Fantasmagorie Automaton by Bosman on p. 338). The evening's entertainment also consisted of A Fairy Dance , some other amusements by Mr J.J. de Kock and a performance by an orchestra.
He stayed on to present his highly popular Fantasmagorie in Cape Town till June of 1837.
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [2]: pp. 230-1, 338, 368, 384.
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