ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1913, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HUGARD, THE MAGICIAN. Hugard, styled "the Magician," did euch things afc the Opera Houca last evening as made nervous maidens shudder and tho eyes of small boys to distend in wonderment Incidentally, he and his colleagues entertained a large audience in a right proper fashion. Without getting up any comparisons with past artiste, one can saj for Hugard, who has the frank, ingeniously disingenuous countenance which is forever contradicting the subtlety of hi 3 fingers, and which marks the expert for all to see— one can cay that this Hugard is an adroit and "slim" fellow, who does extraordinary things in an everyday sort of manner. It is a speaking tribute to his dexterity that his card tricks never bore. They are all delicately , finished off, and the anti-climax is (seldom strained. Then take his thumb-tying business, when, in the broad limelight, he essays to make matter pass through matter. Hugard, who claims that he introduced this trick to Australia nine years ago (a well-known performer at present m Australia is making; something like the same claim), has bis thumbs -bound together as tight a& hands- can make them. Thus embarrassed, Hugard catches solid steel rings thrown from the front stalls. Here and there ? members of the audience make candid comment on the perplexing feat. It was certainly expertly accomplished. His escape from a straightjacket laced to bursting-point is a victory for muscle over mind, and his "great rifle feat" proved beyond dispute Hugard's claim to pre-eminence in his line. The wonder-worker disposes hinn self before three .303 rifles (the property of their bearers). The weapons are loaded before the eyes of a cautious and military committee with deadlylooking ball cartridge, selected by others than Hugard, with the cases marked and the bullets dipped in chalk. Hugard, well back on the stage, directs the small fusilade, with a small black velvet square over his heart. At the discharge, three chalk-tnarkg appear on the velvet patch, and three spent bullets dr-op on a tray immediately in front of the daring performer. It is a business calculated to thrill an imaginative soul to its depths. Hugard offers special inducements to local riflemen to come along "with their rifles and ammunition, and pierce that velvet patch in. front of hie heart. His chief assistant in this very pleasant entertainment is Shung Sung Loo, an illusionist, who does a lot of clever work on an Orientaily-set stage. Two of his chiefest performances are entitled "The Fatal Arrow," and a lovitatiorl feat, while his paper-tearing demonstration is as dexterous as it is novel: Mies Myra Errington and Mr. George Carman lend musical assistance to a programme which can be recommended. It' will be repeated until further notice. "THE FOLLIES." That excellent company of entertainers, "The Follies," which played such a successful season at the Opera House a short while ago, is to pay Wellington a visit. This time their abode will be in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, which is much more suited for this class of entertainment than the larger halls, "The Follies" are just' now completing a most successful tour of the South Island, and will return here on Saturday morning, opening in the Concert Chamber the same evening. The management, with a view to the better balancing of the voices in the connected numbers, have engaged the services of a -well-known Melbourne tenor, Mr. J. R. Ferguson, who is said to be. the possessor of a voice of exceptional quality. On this return visit "The Follies" will present entirely .new programmes. The plans for the season will be opened at the Dresden to-morrow. , '_ THEATRE ROYAL, A comfortably-full house and appreciative audience greeted last night's change of programme . at' the Theatre -Royal. Miss Maud Fanning met with a flattering reception, t her coon impersonating op the robust side. , Fred. Rivenhall Bang three comic' songs. He at once gets in touch with his listeners, and lasb night merited the round of applause. Jules Garrison and" his two Roman Maids occupied the stage for some time in "A Bit of Nonsense." It was a novel turn, and their jokes and some of 'the grotesque male "make-ups" were very clever. A recitation, depicting one bad trait in an erring eon, was well given, and met with deserved ap1 provaL Some clever work in tumbling was done by the Three Tit-Bits, and "Victor the Great" certainly showed marvellous command of the ventriloquial art, his singing a "duet" while smoking a cigarette, with apparent ease and contentment, was a particularly smart item. Hedley and Bartlett brought the programme to a close with some amusing and quaint numbers on various strange musical instruments. The programme will be repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The new programme of moving pictures shown last evening at His Majesty's Theatre was full of interest. The principal film pictured the troubles of a young millionaire, who had a fancy to be loved for himself alone. He made it appear that he -had lost his wealth through foolish investments, and started to earn his bread as a poor workman. Then his adventures began, which landed Mm in various queer situations. Among other incidents of an exciting nature was" the rescue Of a ijair maiden from the clutches of a rogue. In the encounter he was injured, and he was, of course, nursed back to health (and incidentally happiness) by the pretty girl he had rescued so umely. Finally, after their marriage, the young man revealed to his wife the fact that he was really a man of great wealth. The picture has the flavour of an O. Henry story. Another popular series was that entitled "Lost Years," a tale of a wreck, and of a girl who waited ten years before her lover was restored to her. American frontier life was well portrayed in "A Fugitive from Justice," and in "The Wreck of the Vega" was shown the interesting methods employed in ridding the ocean of derelicts. THE NEW THEATRE. " Fra Diavolo," a stirring drama of olden days, is the "featuro" of the present programme of The New Theatre JManners-street) continuous pictures. The principal character is an Italian brigand, who has many exciting adventures. Another favourite picture in the S. and A. Company's Western drama, ''The Outlaw's Sacrifice." Tho series will bo screened again to-nighd and throughout to-morrow. MUSICAL FESTIVAL. At Wesley Church, Taranajd-street, last night, a musical festival was held in oonnectior with the United Methodist Conference. Mr. H. Wells played an organ solo, and the choir contributed two items, "God is a Spirit" and "Hallelujah." A quintet for wind instruments (a selection from Beethoven) was well played by Messrs. H.. Wells, M'Donaid, 0. D. Mackintosh, W. Jenness, and W. J. Hafland. Vocal numbers^ were contributed by Misses B. Brittain, N, Castle, and V. . Mueller, Messrß. »Hi Phipps and R. S. Allwright. The second part of tho festival was taken lift, with Spohr's cantata, "God, Thou art' Great." The work reflected great credit upon the choirmaßter, Mr. .Wells.