Will Alma
(Malvern, Australia: 4th November 1904 - 6th May 1993)
Stage name since 1924 and legal name since 1949 of Oswald George William "Will" Bishop. Born into showbiz family, his father being "The Mysterious Alma". Learned from Devant's Magic Made Easy. Debut as amateur in 1918. Also worked as juggler in 1924 as "Will E. Dropit". Pro illusionist since 1926, touring his own show until 1931 when settled in Melbourne as proprietor of "The Alma Magical Company", a mail-order factory in Melbourne until 1940. Technician and chief assistant for Levante's "How's Tricks" show 1940. Mechanic with Tivoli Theatre 1945-48. Toured Korea and Far East with Army unit 1956. MIMC 1958. A heart attack in 1965 forced his retirement. Donated his fine collection of magicana (begun in the 1930s) to The State Library of Victoria in 1976. Again performing and working on the collection. In 1991 received the Order of Australia (OAM) from the Queen.
Edited Will Andrade's Magical Review 1928-29 (6 issues), Will Alma's (Magical) Magazine 1934-38, Here's Tricks 1939-41 (8 issues), and The Magic Circle Mirror 1971-77.
