LAW OF GRAVITY DEFIED

Chronicle (Levin), 10 December 1947, Page 4

LAW OF GRAVITY DEFIED

Kwam Bros. Troupe Provides Plenty of Thrills

Courting. death with an abandon that would tum an insurance agent's hair grey overnight, the Kwam Brothers— a daredevil Chinese acrobatic troupe of international fame, provided a" Levin audience with plenty of thrills at their .opening performance in the Regent Theatre last night. Diving through a hoop of sharp knives with only inches to spare as the body plunges through calls for a high degree of nerve, skill and accuracy, but to the Kwam Brothers it is all in the day's work. Speaking informally back stage, however, one of the brothers, Peter Kwam, admitted feeling a little apprehensive before he takes these leaps. His br other, , Robert, leader of the team, who at 32 is the sto.uter built, carries a liberal quota of ugly scars on his chest — constant reminders of the dangers of the act. "It is bad enough for us, out we can't figure out how Bob does it," said diminutive, 22-year-old Peter. That the latter brother had not escaped unscathed could be seen from a nasty scar on his arm, which he said had been a legacy fron^. a. recent Wellington performance.

Contained m three wooaen hoops, the knives point inwards. Place'd on a table about 12 inches apart, these hoops are held upright by three girls. The rest is over to the trio, Bob and Peter, and Charlie Chang. "We used to do this act with the flames ringed with flames, but the authorities stopped that Ipecause of the fire risk," said Peter. "To tell you the truth, we were more' than glad as the smoke

made it difficult to see the knives." Compere at last night's show was Miss Laurie Jones, a New Zealander who has just completed a tour with the Tivoli Revue, in which the Kwam Brothers were also feature-d. She has also been with the J.C. Williamson Company. During the evening she sings two songs, "Night and Day" and "Sooner or Later," accompanied by the orchestra. Two other "Kiwi" performers are Stan Preston and Ron Jensen, of Wellington, who, open the show with mouth orgah duets. Another Wellingtonian, George Dawson, is at the piano. Aptly described as the "Mystic magician of the Orient," Chang Long Hark, does things with a pack of cards which soon have the audience goggling. At his bidding named cards move out of the pack, he swallows 15 needles anu following a series of facial and body contgrtions, retrieves them all neatlv threaded.

Peter and Charlie Chang feature in a series of acrobatics guaranr teed to win over the most critical. Charlie joined the troupe in Ausralia and has been with them for three years. Born in Tientsin, China, he has followed his profession for a large portion of his 26 years. He was in New Zealand during the Centennial celebrations, touring with a Chinese company. "If we slipped we'd probably break . "1_ • ~ _ . 5 J T> /-vl 1 TT tTTn O V"\

OX-li Cllin.0, bdlU ircOCL UUUllJ J Wilvii j referring backstage -to some of these acts. Balancing a glass of ] lemonade on the forehead while performing a series of contortions is just one of the many polished tricks at the fingertips of these two artists. For relaxation theyuse two short planks balanced on the seat of the top of a raised chair as hand grips for further acrobatic f 6RtS Weighing a mere 7st. lOlbs., Peter has his special act, which is a balancing one guaranteed to try the nerves of the stoutest. He balances himself on the top of four chairs, supported in turn by four bottles. His brother further complicates matters by removing one of the bottles leaving the whole fragile structure, plus Peter, supported by only three bottles and a prayer. For good measure Peter executes a neat upward and back--ward flip "just to test his nerve." The climax of the show is elder brother Robert's backward flip off a 10ft. tower, carrying a tray with four full glasses of beer. Turning a complete backward somersault he lands on the stage without spilling the contents. He had a "quick one" when he lande'd, but he certainlv earned it. The most

difficult feat on the bill, this trick cost Robert a long term in hospital when he failed to make a proper landing in Australia a long time ago. As he says himself, however, the show business is in his blood and he can't give in. Born in America, the two brothers were the sons of a Chinese magician and acrobat of world note. They say they have been in the show business ever since they can remember, helping their father on his tours. They have been billed with many famous eelebrities in the film and stage world. During the .waj they were prominent in relief work and Peter joined the United States Army in Australia. After a tour of New Zealand, they hope to visit England and after completing a contract in Australia'," eventually return to. America. Their show is not lengthy, but the quality is there. These acrobats make their final appearance -at the Regent Theatre tonight.