WAXWORKS SHOW OPENED

Southland Times, Issue 24234, 18 September 1940, Page 3

WAXWORKS SHOW OPENED

MECHANICAL PUPPETS ON DISPLAY SCENES FROM HISTORY AND THE THEATRE Wax work puppets, many of them models of .famous historical figures, and others clowns and nursery rhyme charKs, perform in scenes culled from ry and from the land of fantasy in a mechanical waxworks display which is now. being shown at H. and J. Smith-’s store, Invercargill. Entitled the “London and Paris Mechanical Exhibition,” it has been shown in England, Africa and Australia and in northern centres in New Zealand by the owner, Mr William C. Jobling, of London. The ■ display consists of a number of scenes' all remarkably ingenious, some grave, - some gay, some decorative, others beautiful and amusing. Although the total number of movements made by the puppets is between 2500 and 3000, with the use of electricity and by the skilful manner in which the movements are managed, there is only a slight murmuring sound from the machinery. The movements of the various figures in each set are synchronized with an artistry that has to be seen to be believed and this results in an engaging representation of life. The show opened on Friday, and will continue until Saturday week, September 28. The wide interest it is creating is shown by the fact that on the first two days it was open 1500 persons paid the small admission charge. Of these a large proportion were children, for whom the novelty of the display had a decided fascination.

REALISTIC EFFECT The largest set is that showing a representation of the Last Supper, and the details of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece from which it is taken are closely adhered to. The figures of Christ and the 12 Disciples are beautifully modelled and the intricate coordination of the movements of every figure has a realistic and harmonious effect. A scene in the Tower of London showing Mary Queen of Scots before her execution is a grim one. A priest ministers to her while the executioner stands by with his block and axe, and three members of the judiciary nod and converse sagely. Fierce-looking armed guards keep watch as prayers are offered by kneeling nuns. The tragic gives place to the comic as clowns from Barnum’s circus perform with-, chairs and conjurors’ balls in the sawdust ring and present some balancing feats. One of the most elaborate sets is entitled “Little 80-Peep Who Lost Her Sheep.” Complete with a water wheel in continuous operation, wind mills turning and a waterfall in miniature, the set shows 80-Peep after she had found her errant flock. There is also a fisherman fishing from a boat below 80-Peep, and all the figures go through life-like movements.

One of the main attractions of the show is a life-size wax figure of the “Sleeping Beauty.” With an apple blossom complexion and cupid’s bow mouth, the figure attracts much attention. In addition to the puppet show, there are on display two locomotive models. One is the model which was made by Robert Stephenson and Company 115 years ago at Newcastle-on-Tyne. It is the original model of the first locomotive to be put on a track in England—that which was used in the pioneer service between Stockton and Darlington from 1825 to 1841. The other is a model of the first locomotive to be used in Australia, an engine which was first used on. the Sydney-Parramatta service about 80 years ago.