Ali Bongo

Ali Bongo – Biography

William Oliver Wallace (8 December 1929 – 8 March 2009), known worldwide under his stage name Ali Bongo, was a British comedy magician, illustrator, author, magical consultant and, late in life, President of The Magic Circle. His colourful persona, inventive mind and instantly recognizable performance style made him one of the most influential magicians of the 20th century.

 "Shriek of Araby" 

Early Life

Wallace was born in England, where his father—also named William—served as a sergeant major with the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. His early childhood was spent at a British military station in Trimulgherry, Secunderabad, India, before returning to Britain with his mother, Lillian, at the age of seven.

After his father completed his army service, the family settled in Sutton Valence, Kent. Wallace won a scholarship to Sutton Valence School, which he left at sixteen to begin his career as an entertainer. During his period of National Service, he served with the Royal Army Pay Corps.

He later worked for Harry Stanley's Unique Magic Studio and became head of the magic department at Hamleys, the famous toy shop on Regent Street in London—an environment that further shaped his creativity and deepened his connection to the world of magic.

Career

Wallace developed his famous Shriek of Araby character with an exotic costume of flowing robes, golden slippers, horn‑rimmed glasses, and a hybrid fez‑and‑turban headpiece. He adopted the name Ali Bongo from a character he had created for a youth‑club pantomime during his teenage years. The original character sang a comic song beginning: "My name is Ali Bongo and I come from Pongo, pong‑tiddley‑pongo land."

His performances were filled with whimsical magical catchphrases such as "Uju Buju Suck Another Juju," "Aldy Bority Phostico Formio," and "Hocus Pocus Fishbones Chokus."

Bongo made his British television debut on The Good Old Days in 1965, on a bill topped by Tommy Trinder. Over the following decades he became a familiar face on British television, appearing in programmes including Rainbow, The Tomorrow People ("Revenge of Jedikiah"), Zokko!, and the comedy series Hot Metal.

A prolific author and illustrator, Ali Bongo wrote numerous books on magic—many containing his own original tricks—and illustrated them in his distinctive, instantly recognizable style.

His expertise made him a sought‑after magical consultant for theatre, opera, ballet and television. He contributed to David Nixon's Magic Box, David Nixon's Magic Show, and the Paul Daniels Magic Show, and served as magical adviser for Doctor Who and the cult 1970s series Ace of Wands.

In 1971 he presented Ali Bongo's Cartoon Carnival, a BBC1 Saturday series featuring himself and his assistant Oscar, broadcast over nine episodes.

His remarkable ability to design illusions and solve magical problems inspired television writer David Renwick to create the magician's assistant and amateur sleuth character in Jonathan Creek, for which Bongo served as magical adviser.

The Magic Circle

Bongo joined The Magic Circle in 1960 and became a member of The Inner Magic Circle two years later. His contributions to magic were recognized with several major awards, including:

• The Magic Circle Magician of the Year (1972)

• Carlton Comedy Award (1983)

• David Berglas Award (1991)

He served twice as Vice President of The Magic Circle before being elected President on 8 September 2008, a role he held until his death.

Death

• En kortare version för programblad

• En ceremoniell version för SMC‑sammanhang

• En Webnode‑optimerad version med rubriker och layout

• En version med bildtexter om du ska lägga in foton

Säg bara vilken stil du vill ha.

                                                                                Magic Hall of Fame