COUNTED BUT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10283, 19 May 1919, Page 4

COUNTED BUT

A EJAGICiAN’S FAILURE

DISTURBANCE AT GRAND OPERA

HOUSE

Seldom has such a scene been witnessed at the Grand Opera House as that which occurred on Saturday night, the occasion . being the initial appearance of ‘‘Low Kun,” described as “The World’s Greatest Illusionist,” and his ‘ ‘company of picked artists. In certain quarters “Low Kun ’ was viewed with some suspicion, yet he drew a very large audience to the Opera House, the capacious building being packed to the doors. Shortly after 8 o’clock, the orchestra of three musicians appeared and played tho National Anthem. This was tollowed by one of the “artists,” as a result of whose singing the audience showed a good deal of dissatisfaction. The item on the programme was given by Franklin Devon, “The Bewildering Necromancer,” said to- have been “secured by Air Kun. at enormous expense.” This “artist” selected from the .audience a committee of six youths, who were given chairs on tho stage. They were greeted with “How much are getting for the show?” and other similar remarks. Devon proceeded to put the youths “under the influence,” and the audience was then treated to many acts of vulgarity. This was the signal for loud cries of “Dirty’!” “Filthy!” and “Chuck him out!” and eventually a large section of the audience counted him” out! After the “artist” had performed several feats of “mystery,” the committee returned to their seats in the stalls. During. tho interval soon after, a large number of the audience left their seats and failed to return. The first item on the second half was contributed by a mezzo-soprano who really had no idea of that musical term. It was while attempting to sing a song, pitched much higher than the accompaniment, that this “mezzo-soprano” was greeted with hilarity and received a showet of coins, buttons, etc., eventually retiring before she had completed the first verse. Tho mirth had barely subsided when the curtain went- up for the star item of the evening, “Low Kun in Feats of Illusion.” By this time the audience, apparently, regarded the whole affair as a joke and a “rough” show, and many expressions of surprise could be heard when the so-called “Low Kun” came forward, for he was no other person than Franklin Devon, who appeared undisguised in the first half. Ho was assisted by two genuine Celestials. “Low Kun” was again counted out many times, and showed evident signs of uneasiness. Fie proceeded to perform several tricks, but the crowd became impatient, and, it was only with difficulty that the “illusionist” calmed them. He then placed one of his Chinese assistants on the floor, and “hypnotised” him, the subject being raised very jerkily from the floor to a height of 3ft or 4ft, where he remained seemingly’, suspended in mid-air. When the time arrived for the subject to be lowered to the stage, he would not descend, in spite of “Low Kun’s” orders, which were audible oven to the circle. The mechanism used in the staging of the “illusion” evidently failed to act, and the hod.y of the subject commenced to sway. A long‘sivord Atas' placed on the body of the Chinaman, and lie was once again ordered to descend by “Low Kun,” who at the same time endeavoured to push him down with his hosds. Hie strain was too great, apparently, and the body crashed to the floor with a heavy thud, the Chinaman (who was supposed to be in a cataleptic state) picking himself up and walking off the stage. • - The public, by this time, were angry, and shouted out aloud many remarks indicating dissatisfaction. “Low Kun” thereupon gave tho order for the curtain, which was lowered at a quarter to 10. The infuriated crowd , rushed outside, and packed in close to the stage doors, shouting out: “We want Low Kun,” “Lynch him,” and “Give us cur money back.” Two of J. O. Williamson’s attendants and a fireman on-duty at the theatre informed the people that it was no use being foolish in trying to gain admittance. The crowd still demanded tho appearance of “Low Kun,” and, on receiving no answer, several persons picked up stones and hurled thorn through tho wiuodws. They then returned to the front of the Opera House and pulled down the boards bearing posters advertising the “illusionist.” From the tone of tho talking that was going on amongst the crowd, it seemed apparent, that if “Low Kun” had appeared ho would suffer serious injury’. “Give ns the Chew.” they still cried out. “Wo will look after him,” followed by “Part up tho £100.” Sergeant McKelvie and a constable then arrived and prevented any further damage being done. But for the tact of tho police in handling the crowd, a much, more serious disturbance might have occured. About eight windows were smashed. It is stated that the “company” escaped in a motor-car, and this seems likely’, as the crowd waited until after 11 o’clock without seeing “Tow Kun.” It is almost unnccessar” to add that the season has been abandoned.