The Bottle Conjuror facts for kids
The Bottle Conjuror was the name of a fake performer who was advertised to appear at the Haymarket Theatre in England on January 16, 1749. The advertisements claimed this performer could fit his entire body inside an empty wine bottle right in front of the audience! When the performer didn't show up for the show, the audience became very angry and caused a lot of damage to the theatre.
The Famous Hoax
How the Idea Started
No one knows for sure who came up with the idea for this trick. However, some people believe it was John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu. The Duke reportedly made a bet with his friends that he could fill a theatre just by advertising that a man could "creep into a quart bottle." The event was advertised in many London newspapers and quickly became the main topic of conversation in the city.
The Night of the Show
A huge crowd gathered at the theatre, including the king's second son, the Duke of Cumberland. Around 7 PM, the theatre lights came on. There was no music or entertainment, so the crowd grew impatient and started to complain.
A theatre employee came out and told the audience that if the performer didn't appear, they would get their money back. Someone in the audience reportedly joked that if they paid double, the conjurer would fit into an even smaller bottle!
As the crowd became more restless, someone threw a lit candle onto the stage. Most of the audience, including the Duke, decided to leave. Many people lost their cloaks, hats, wigs, and even swords in the rush to get out.
A group of very angry people stayed inside and badly damaged the theatre. They ripped up benches, destroyed the scenery, and broke down boxes. The broken pieces were dragged into the street and burned in a large bonfire.
What Happened Next
People immediately suspected the theatre's manager, Samuel Foote, of planning the trick. Foote said he knew nothing about the performance. He claimed he had warned the theatre's owner, John Potter, that something didn't seem right. Potter himself was also suspected, but it seemed he was innocent. A "strange man" had handled all the arrangements for that night.
The "Man in the Bottle" quickly became a popular topic in newspapers and pamphlets. They published funny stories and jokes about the conjurer not showing up and what happened afterward. Many funny pictures were also made, including two called The Bottle-Conjuror from Head to Foot, without equivocation and English Credulity; or ye're all bottled. One newspaper joked that the conjurer was ready to perform but was asked for a private show first. After seeing the trick, the person who watched it "corked up the bottle, whipped it in his pocket and made off."
The story soon spread across Europe and became a running joke about how easily people in England could be tricked. This was especially embarrassing during the Age of Enlightenment, a time when people valued reason and knowledge. The Great Bottle Conjuror Hoax of 1749 is remembered as one of the biggest pranks in history.
