ANOETUS, THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1709, 10 August 1875, Page 2

ANOETUS, THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE.

L.vst evening was anything but favorable for the success of any entertainment, and yet the Prince of Wales Theatre was well filled for a wet night, shewing evidently that the F;ikir of Oolu has already, by his marvellous tricks and illu3ionary achievements, established a reputation among too people. The reduction of prices, also, to the gallery and pit has no dopbl been favorable. Previous to the lifting of the curtain, tho orchestra played several selections of music in a very effective manner, the mellowtones of the flute being distinctly heard. The first part of the entsrtainmen^ consisted of a number of clever tricks, especially the hat-trick, from whence the Doctor drew forth about a hundred yards of variouscoloured ribbon, singing a song during the feat; subsequently, a beautiful red ross : the last rose of summer was brought forward in a magical manner, and •which adorned the Doctor's coat during the evening. Several other act 3 were cleverly performed, such as tho sealed packet, and the various names of illustrious characters therein, written on slips previously by individuals in the audience, were named successively by the Fakir, and pronounced correct by the audience Several tricks of Spiritists were exhibited and exposed. The \ doctor said there may be some truth in spiritism, be believed there was, but the tricks of the Devonpotts, Home, Fay, and others, were simply humbug ; it ■"'as not likely that departed frionds had no better employment than to visit a dark seance simply to bump fiddles against the bald heads of old men. The doctor then explained many of these tricks which formed a satisfactory expose of physical manifestation. He next introduced Leo, which was a clever representation of a young lion, perched on a mysterious box, the wonder of all being the hiding of Leo's legs. He growls savagely, and presently begins to talk with his master about business in general. He then asks a few riddles, such as " What is tho prettiest thing in a bonnet ?'' "A lady's face." Why is a hinge like a pretty girl?" "Because she was made to adore (a door)," and several others which took immensely with the audience. The doctor then announced the new illusion, illustrative of a very old legend of the Hartz mountains. The legend was graphically told in order that listeners might the better understand the scenes to follow. The legend was briefly : A thousand years ago there lived a tyrant Grand Duke, whose rule had rendered him obnoxious to the people under him. His rule naturally caused discontent, which resulted in a conspiracy, aud one of the conspirators, on the discovery of the plot, loses his head. la order to get a confession to satisfy the Duke, an alchemist is employed to get the secrets from the severed head on condition that if he succeeds he will be richly rewarded, or if he fails his property will be confiscated, and he himself banished from his country. The powers of the alchemist are then put to the test, and succeeds admirably. The head move 3, the lips quiver, and in sepulchral tones the dead man tells the secret of the plot, and recommends his fellowconspirators behind to pursue the path of industry and ensure a life of peace. The scene of the angel bending over the head of the conspirator is very beautifully managed. The entranced lady suspended in mid-air was one of the most attractive features of the entertainment • while in a mesmeric state, she is made to represent about twenty mythological, historical and national figures, each figure being robed in appropriate costume ; she thus represents Achilles with his shield, the graces and muses, national signs and emblems. And not the least striking was Britannia, with the lion at her feet, while the orchestra played the accompaniment "Rule Britannia," which has always been a favourite song with Englishmen since the time when Thompson wrote it. Several Scriptural illustrations, such as the Angel of the Apocalypse, were also among the more striking postures The most wonderful part of this performance was the taking away the two poles, r and leaving the lady apparently without any tangible support m mid-air ! This scene created a burst of applause, which lasted for some time. The whole concluded with the illuminated Fairy Fountain, the like of which has never been witnessed on any previous occasion. - Indeed, , the prismatic fountain ia the Doctor's own

invention, and fitly closed one of! ttjjj. b«J entertainments that has eyer been placed be for an Auckland audience^