The Modern Mystic League
MARCH 2023
Blackburn & District Society of Magicians
TRIXIE QUEEN by KAY MURRAY
A goodly crowd turned out for our March meeting to welcome Kay Murray, who told us all about her mother, Trixie Queen. We soon discovered that Trixie was born Ida Emily Want in 1906, and that her birth certificate was signed by Emmeline Pankhurst. Diminutive in stature, she was under five feet in height and wore size two shoes.
In her early years as a performer, Ida was inspired by the likes of Ella Shields (Kay had brought her original, much-used, copy of the sheet music for Burlington Bertie) and the male impersonators Vesta Tilley and Hetty King. Ida was a talented siffleuse (whistler) and as early as 1925 was engaged by BBC Radio in Manchester to perform in that capacity for the fee of one guinea for two tunes. Kay proved that she had inherited her mother’s skill by whistling beautifully a few bars of In A Monastery Garden. Ida also performed synchronised whistling to silent films at the Queen’s Theatre in Manchester, with no extra fee for encores! She even taught women how to ‘knit Fair Isle on a circular needle’ on Woman’s Hour.
Ida married Walter Murray in 1939, and he became her manager. She did not become Trixie Queen until after 1944, when she came across a book by Willane and decided to take up magic in the guise of a male impersonator, using the ‘toff’ costume she already had. She joined the British Ring in 1948, and won a silver spoon (which Kay displayed) in the stage competition at Harrogate in 1950.
Trixie’s winning act was as a schoolboy – not a scruffy one, but an Eton pupil compete with top hat and a satchel which served as a sort of gibeciere or budget. Working on the premise that the naughty boy was doing things not appropriate for a child, a schoolbook burst into flames, water was turned into wine and she manipulated smoking clay pipes. Trixie was also using a Sooty-like glove puppet, from the North Pier in Blackpool, at the same time as Harry Corbett was embarking upon his own career with his own creation.
In her early years as a performer, Ida was inspired by the likes of Ella Shields (Kay had brought her original, much-used, copy of the sheet music for Burlington Bertie) and the male impersonators Vesta Tilley and Hetty King. Ida was a talented siffleuse (whistler) and as early as 1925 was engaged by BBC Radio in Manchester to perform in that capacity for the fee of one guinea for two tunes. Kay proved that she had inherited her mother’s skill by whistling beautifully a few bars of In A Monastery Garden. Ida also performed synchronised whistling to silent films at the Queen’s Theatre in Manchester, with no extra fee for encores! She even taught women how to ‘knit Fair Isle on a circular needle’ on Woman’s Hour.
Ida married Walter Murray in 1939, and he became her manager. She did not become Trixie Queen until after 1944, when she came across a book by Willane and decided to take up magic in the guise of a male impersonator, using the ‘toff’ costume she already had. She joined the British Ring in 1948, and won a silver spoon (which Kay displayed) in the stage competition at Harrogate in 1950.
Trixie’s winning act was as a schoolboy – not a scruffy one, but an Eton pupil compete with top hat and a satchel which served as a sort of gibeciere or budget. Working on the premise that the naughty boy was doing things not appropriate for a child, a schoolbook burst into flames, water was turned into wine and she manipulated smoking clay pipes. Trixie was also using a Sooty-like glove puppet, from the North Pier in Blackpool, at the same time as Harry Corbett was embarking upon his own career with his own creation.
Another act saw Trixie as a fairground spieler on the Golden Mile – a theme which allowed her to cut and restore a roll of tram tickets, as in the popular FRESH FISH SOLD HERE TODAY routine, and indulge in some mind-reading along with the Six Card Repeat, business involving the Evaporated Milk Jug and a sequence of origami/paper cutting.
Trixie was always a semi-professional and also held down a full-time job; more often than not demonstrating in the larger department stores. She refused to retire until the age of 80, got a new bike at 90, then sadly suffered a stroke at 93.
Trixie Queen died in 2003, at the age of 97, and Kay has ensured that her ashes have been scattered widely.
This proved to be an absolutely absorbing afternoon, with Kay bringing Trixie to life through vivid detail and first-hand anecdotes. On hand for examination were many press cuttings, photographs, and several of Trixie’s props, including the clay pipes, her fanning cards, trick rope using press studs instead of magnets and a recently restored Lyle clock, complete with zodiac symbols.
Kay was thanked warmly for her efforts, and it was a pleasure to have frequent MeMeL guest columnist Roy Field with us for support.
Brian Lead
Trixie was always a semi-professional and also held down a full-time job; more often than not demonstrating in the larger department stores. She refused to retire until the age of 80, got a new bike at 90, then sadly suffered a stroke at 93.
Trixie Queen died in 2003, at the age of 97, and Kay has ensured that her ashes have been scattered widely.
This proved to be an absolutely absorbing afternoon, with Kay bringing Trixie to life through vivid detail and first-hand anecdotes. On hand for examination were many press cuttings, photographs, and several of Trixie’s props, including the clay pipes, her fanning cards, trick rope using press studs instead of magnets and a recently restored Lyle clock, complete with zodiac symbols.
Kay was thanked warmly for her efforts, and it was a pleasure to have frequent MeMeL guest columnist Roy Field with us for support.
Brian Lead