THE FAUST FAMILY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1521, 23 April 1885, Page 2

THE FAUST FAMILY.

The Faust Family performed last evening, at the Town flail, to not such a good house as the merit of the entertainment deserved. The wgather, no doubt, greatly militated against the attendance, the back seats alone being fairly well filled. Mr C. Waud played a well executed overture, after which the brothers T. and R. Faust went through the comic horizontal bar performance, and created roars of laughter, and great applause for their really clever and amusing act This was followed by the National dances of England, Ireland and Scotland in costume by Master Eugpne; each dance was tastefully executed and heartily applauded by the audience The musical and acrobatic clowns gave a really marvellous performance, all the time playing violins. In the funniest of positions, turning somersaults, jumping and rolling about the stage, they managed to) keep perfect time with their instruments, and at tinus one would “ bow ” the violin of another and play together. In fact, this portion of the entertainment has to be seen, before any adequate idea of the feats they performed can be arrived ; at. The amusing little clown, Master Eugene, plays in a wonderful manner for one so young “ The Carnival of Venice,” ' with variations, at tim£s holding the bow between his knees. This part was concluded with an amusing egg trick, which thoroughly mystified and pleated the audience. The next item was a violincelio solo, “ The blue bells of Scotland ” by Mr G. Waud, which was loudly applauded, but the encore demanded w s not acceded to. The ti st part of the programme concluded w.th the Faust Family’s celebrated represents tion of statuary, which is a very meritorious and tasteful display. The ’grouping of the figures was most artistically am n’ed, and the lime light effect was very pleasing; the whole making one of the finest peiformances of the kind wo have ever witnessed. The feats of the various members of the Family were very clever, and msny were of a novel and exceptionally interesting character, and the audia ce waa apparently delighted. After short interval the Family appeared in their drawing-room entertainment, when some very daring and clever acrobatic ff>i<s wore gone through. The father down to the youngest child were remarfe ably expert and graceful in all their feats,

the balancing of the former being wonderfully good. The Brothers Faust then followed with a selection of popular melodies played on hand bolls, They then gave the “ Risluy act,” perhapi the most sensational part of the evening’s performance, which consisted of single, double and triple somersaults; in this they stand unrivalled. Whilst standing on the feet of the elder brother, the two younger ones are tossed into the air in all conceivable ways, and one is revolved at w terrific pace, something similar to a Dhtheiine wheel, and ultimately tossed in the air and lands safely cn his feet. Another violoncello solo by Mr O. Waud was very ably played, and the performance con eluded with a laughable pantomime sketch entitled “The tenible infants,” in which the Brothers Faust play several excellent selections on common pieces of wood, and please the audience thoroughly. The performance on the whole is a most excellent one, and can be enjoyed heartily by all classes, The Company will appear again this evening with a change of programme, and we hope to see a large attendance.