THE NEW THEATRE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 100, 10 June 1913, Page 3

THE NEW THEATRE.

Successful Opening Night.

Despite a number of opposing influences there was a great crowd at the opening of tho New Theatre, in Pukekohe" on Saturday night, the attendance being estimated at between 450 and 000. Vehicles came in from all parts of the country and long beforo 8 o'clock it was evident that there would bo a "full house." Tho back seats were crowded and the 395 chairs received such patronage as to fully satisfy the picture proprietary. The water-power was not available, but not to be outdone Mr Coylo got his own engine going and despite the task set the machinery in lighting the big hall a quite satisfactory enteitainment was given The programme was an excellent one and evoked rounds of hearty applause. The enclosure for the cinematograph" apparatus made a noticeable improvement in silencing the accustomed clicking and marked another advance towards local perfection in pictorial entertainments. McMalion's orchestra provided the accompanying music and added brightness to the show. During an interval the Mayor (Mr C. K. Lawrie), on behalf of Mr Coyle, thanked the large audience for their attendance and explained that at the next entertainment the water-power would be available. This, of course, will render the lighting much more brilliant."

Hugard : To-night.

Hugaid and his company of entertainers, including Chung Sung Loo, the great Chinese magician, hold a two nights' Fesson in the Naw Theatre, Pukekohe, to-night and tomorrow night The great Oriental act, "A Night in a Chine.e. Palace," takes up the whole of the second part of th) programme, during which tha stage is a blaze of Oriental grandeur and effecr, and not a word is spoken, yet the nngician and hi 3 assistant form Wo.der alter wonder in a most amazing fashion, holding tha audierc3 spelllound with the effect! produced. Hugard, as a slight-uf-hand performer, is Eaid to ba superb, and his great rifle act is the talk of Australia. In his act Hugard allows threa local riflemen to bring their own rifles and cartridges, load them, also mark the bullets and shells. A committee is selected from tha audience to examine the rifie3 and cartridges and s;e that thsy are in proper order. The cartridges are then taken down to the audi:nce to be examined, and threa are asked to put their private marka upon them. The rifles are then loaded (the lines never leading tha hands of tha firers), and they march to tha back of the stalh and fire at Hugard's heart. The spots immediately appear on the velvet hta:t which Hugard holds over his hrart and tha bullets fall en the floor. The riflemen unload on the stage and Higard picks up the empty shells and bullets (which Ere propelled by cordite), and the riflemen and the committee certify to the private marks they have put upon them. Tha bullets are hot, marked with grooves of the rifle, and during the act, which is of ten minutfs' duration, Hugard never leaves the stage and is in full view throughout This is the only act of its kind in the world, and has created great controversy everywhere it has been per formed. An American musical act of note is included in tha first part of the programme by Miss Myra fcrrington, alio humorous items by George Carman, the Engfish comedian. Prices popular arj to be charged.