TO-NIGHT’S SHOW.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 October 1924, Page 7

TO-NIGHT’S SHOW.

■ © : AT THE OPERA HOUSE. The appearance to-night at the Opera House of the Mirano Bros, is an event worthy of more than passing notice, and those who appreciate “thrills” should be more than satisfied after attendance at to-night’s performance. Feeling interested in the mechanical side of the presentation of the flying torpedo act, a representative of the Star dropped into the Opera House this morning to witness the preparation for the shoAv and inspect the apr paratus used. What he srav comdneed him that all claims made in regard to the thrilling nature of the performance •will be more than substantiated. The apparatus Avhich is used Aveighs no less than nine tons, and having regard to the tremendous strain put upon the several parts it is abundantly apparent that no risk can be taken in reducing the margin of safety by the use of anything but the most trustworthy materials and appliances. When our representative arrived on the scene work Avas in progress erecting a miniature of the' Eiffel ToAA-er. This is constructed of angle and lattice steel, and when erected is of immense strength. Lying to one side Avas the steel lattice girder Avhich is balanced athwart the pinnacle of the tower, also the flying torpedo Avhich is attached to one end of the girder, and a solid steel apparatus in the form, of anchor which is attached to the other end of the girder. An electric current of 240 volts and 25 amps is conveyed through the vertical shaft at the pinnacle of the tower to the aerial torpedo, seated in which Avill lie one of the tAvo performers, and in his hands rests the control. The other performer takes his place on the anchor. The oecunant of the torpedo starts his motor, the propellors revoke rapidly, and the suspended girder starts' to spin on its axis. Faster and faster it Avhirls, till a speed is attained which causes the spectator to catch breath. A sneed up to. 91) miles an hour is obtainable, and this is varied according to the facilities offered by the place in which the performance is being gtoen. The Ifa-AA-era Opera House gives sufficient accommodation to alloAv a speed of 70 miles per hour being deA-eloped. It is Avhen speed has been Avorked up that the daredevil on the anchor starts Ayith his acrobatic feats. The centrifugal force is such that the anchor, though it is a piece of steel Aveighing about'three-quarters of a eAvt and further Aveighted by tiie performer, travels almost horizontally. From this brief description it can be imagined that the spectator will be treated to something quite out of the ordinary in the Avav of a. genuine thrill—there is no room for faking in this act. The Mirano .Bros. Avere brought from Prance by Sir Beniamin Fuller specially for his theatres, and it say's a great deal for the enternrise of Mr A. M. Conroy that ther/:' neonle have been brought, at great exnfense. to HaAveru. The Miranos will be here for a season of fo\ir nights and'one matinee, and the show includes a good picture programme also.