From Vaudeville to Magic: The Legacy of Beverly's Larcom Theatre

The Larcom Theatre, located at 13 Wallis Street in Beverly, Massachusetts, opened on October 28, 1912. Designed by architect George Swan, it was named after Lucy Larcom, a beloved 19th-century poet and Beverly native. Opening night featured the film *The Count of Monte Cristo* and a concert. Originally built as a vaudeville theater with 744 seats—435 in the orchestra and 309 in the balcony—the Larcom quickly became a beloved community venue, offering stage and screen entertainment for the residents of Beverly. Managed by Harris and Glover Ware, former vaudeville musicians, it hosted a range of performances and, in later years, was operated by the Ramsdell Brothers and E.M. Loew’s Theatres.

Following World War II, the theater was briefly renamed the Fine Arts Theater, shifting to adult films before being purchased by the Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company in 1984. This group, renowned for its magic shows at the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre, began an extensive restoration of the Larcom. In October 1985, they launched a new production featuring stage magic, music, comedy, and dance inspired by early 20th-century theater. In 1995, Le Grand David expanded the venue, adding a Grand Salon lobby, rehearsal space, galleries, a library, and accommodations, creating a unique and immersive magic venue.

For 35 years, Le Grand David and his company performed their world-record-holding, consecutively running magic show at the Larcom, drawing audiences from around the world until May 2012, when performances ended following the death of founder Cesareo Pelaez. The theater then closed briefly but remained a historical gem with its original architectural features and superb acoustics.

In September 2016, a local couple purchased the Larcom Theatre and revitalized it as a multi-arts venue. Today, the restored theater offers a variety of performances, including music, dance, children’s theater, comedy, and community events, making it a vibrant part of Beverly’s cultural life.