Walford Bodie

Scottish showman Walford Bodie, born in Aberdeen, became known as the Electrical Wizard. His performances combined magic, ventriloquism, hypnotism and spectacular electrical illusions, with comedy among the attractions of his hypnosis routines. Morpeth's Electrical Wizard pub commemorates his appearances in the building during its years as a cinema.

Bodie's advertised claims to perform bloodless surgery brought fierce opposition from doctors and a court case. They were part of his controversial public persona as a self-styled medical showman.

He was also a friend of Harry Houdini. Historic Environment Scotland recounts Houdini giving him an electric chair from Sing Sing prison, an extraordinary gift for an entertainer whose act already played on the public's fascination with electricity.