HENRI FRENCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3982, 15 July 1915, Page 7

HENRI FRENCH.

"TILE INTOXICATED GENIUS.” Henri Flrencl), “the intoxicated genius,” who made his first appearance in Gisborne at His Atajosty’s Theatre last night, is a juggler of no mean order, and an expert trick cyclist. He had the house in a constant simmer of merriment during the time lie was before the footlights. One of the features of hi:; comedy business is descriptive of an intoxicated young man returning home alter midnight. Mounted on a single bicycle wheel, fitted with pedals, he performed some amazingly clever gyrations, to the intense delight of the big audience. Hjs impersonations were remarkably lino, among them l)r Joky 11 and Air Hyde, Franz von fcuppe. Franz Lizt at /Q. Albas, is a young man. and remarkably good-looking. He usetGvcry little make-up in this impersonation of the ,<u*oat Liszt, but the resemblance was wonderful. ' He next gave an impersonation of a contemporary 1‘ remit bandmaster, who imtubes rather ireely at- times, which was very ludicrous. His work is very high-class and will appeal to all who enjoy and appreciate a real artist. Ho juggled with any old things in the way of umbrellas, hats eves!asses, eggs,, plates, basins, hmsi .overcoats, and miscellaneous, articles. lit plated a tumbler Idled with water inside a metal circle, something like the rim ot a motor wheel, and "made the lot rapidly revolve by means of a stick without spilling the liquid, and occasionally he varied ins juggling feats by illusion business. Mr French is in a class all by himself. He is an actor of high typo, while his coiiiedy is refreshing. He has a score of new tricks, seen .ie*.e for the first time. He is a millin'. a judder, an impersonator, a magi'"an anTa lot of other things not. on the bill He was given a royal welcome last night, and it is safe to prodi-fc that another weli-fflled houso ( ndl assemble to-night, as no cleverer one man artist has ever appeared m Gisborne, notwithstanding that Carl Hertz, Alel B. Spiirr, and Yon Arx have come this way. Henri f rench announced last night that a prize ot £3 3s would he given on Friday night to anyone and everyone who could i nle his bicycle ' wheels round the .stage once, w hile a prize of £1 Is would be given to anyone who could ride the wheels across the stage once. Ihva newcomer is a rather handsome man, and does all he has to do with an ta>.' and grace which .makes his entire *-••/- forman; e even more enjoyable. his unique entertainment will he repo"loo to-night.