Wizard Oil & Wonders: The Peculiar Legacy of Frank Weston

Event Description

Be bedazzled by this electrifying blend of history, music and illusion.

Frank Weston, the self-proclaimed Doctor and Wizard Oil Prince, was a charismatic American showman who captivated audiences across Australia and New Zealand from the 1860s to the 1880s. Known for his bold Yankee wit, Weston toured with his two-hour extravaganza of jokes, songs, and comic tales, weaving in relentless plugs for his 'miracle' cures, including Wizard Oil, Magic Pills, and Mexican Mustang Liniment.

Join historian Dr David Waldron and magician Dr Jo Clyne as they bring Weston’s curious world back to life in an electrifying fusion of history and illusion. With The Drongo and The Crow performing the original music from Weston’s travelling medicine show, this one-of-a-kind event will reveal the charms and deceptions behind the 19th-century craze for magical cures and quackery.

Event Partner

The Melton City Libraries Heritage Festival is on from 3 to 17 May. Visit melton.vic.gov.au/library to learn more.