THE FAKIR OF OOLU.

Evening Star, Issue 3813, 14 May 1875, Page 2

THE FAKIR OF OOLU.

Last evening the Fakir of Oolu (Dr Sylvester) gave at the Queen’s Theatre a private rehearsal of some of his extraordinary performances, a series of which he commences to-night. A number of ladies and gentlemen were invited by the Fakir, and one and all were highly pleased at the entertainment provided for them. The stage is not encumbered with furniture and “ fixings,” as is usually the case with masters of the conjuring art, but is almost bare, beyond being richly hung with drapery. An excellent orchestra lends great assistance to the general effect of the performance, and operatic selections were given by it during the short intervals rendered necessary last evening by preparations. Dr Sylvester commenced with a few simple tricks, some of which, though old, gained a* novelty through the humorous manner of the Fakir, who seems thoroughly to enjoy the manifestations of his power and skill and keeps up a running fire of puns aad amusing anecdotes. The talking lion was then brought forward a clever illusion—which delivers oracular statements, propounds conundrums and moves and growls very naturally—and yet there is nothing in it, as plainly shown, but a few gas jets. An ingenious and apparently automatic card-board sailor next appeared, and danced a nompipe in the most approved style keeping time to the music of the band. The Fakir then performed some wonderful feats with a glass nearly filled with water—perhaps as difficult and .yet as cleanly done as anything during the evening. After this came some experiments in animal magnetism with an ebony rod, which showed its powers of adhesion to the Fakir’s hands in a most unaccountable manner, dangliiv from the extremity of a finger without any sunport, and otherwise acting against the generally accepted laws of gravity. The two piices de resistance of Dr Sylvester’s entertainment followed, the first being the ‘‘entranced lady.” A young girl, prettily dressed, stands bn a stool with each arm resting on a pole standing on the ground. The Fakir then mesmerises her, and, though one of the poles is removed, the girl remains in an easy and. natural position, supported by the other pole. She is thus kept for a long space of time, during which Dr Sylvester places her in various attitudes and makes her represent innumerable characters by simply adding articles of dress and placing in her hand weapons, baskets of flowers, and j. . a P rett y effect being caused by the judicious use of variously colored lights projected on the figure. I’hree or four gentlemen were allowed on the stage during this wonderful performance, which culminated in the Fakir s causing the girl’s form to rise on the one arm till in a horizontal position, and then revolve on the top of the pole. The “Fairy Fountain” came next, and this must be seen to be appreciated. We will only say that a fountarn, varying at times from ten to over twenty feet in height, rises from the centre of the stage, and this, while continually changing in form, is illuminated with the richest colors imaginable—every drop of water showing beautifully. At the conclusion of the evening’s programme, a hearty expression of thanks was given to Dr Sylvester for the gratification he had afforded his audience.