AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 34, 14 June 1913, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HUGARD, THE PUZZLE. Though there was a fairly good downstairs house at 8.15 at the Town Hall last night, the performance did not commence until quite five minutes later. The management might take note of this irregularity and remedy same this evening. The ruffled feelings of the audience last night were, however, quickly smoothed out by the genuinely interesting entertainment given by Hugard and his assistants. Opening with legerdemain, this clever performer manipulated cards to the complete mystification of his audience, and the manner in which the "tickets" sought refuge from his nimble fingers was shown in a counterpart of most unlikely and often ridiculous hiding places. The feelings of one man who appeared upon the stage as a sort of representative of the audience may be imagined when Hugard produced a pretty white' haired poodle from the inside of the back of his coat, and the incident afforded ground for much amusement and applause. The straight jacket incident and his escape, and "spiritualism exposed" are merely stepping stones to the sensation of the evening, viz., the Great Rifle Act, in which three Territorials with .303 rifles fire point blank at Hugard's heart, only to find that the bullets fall with a startling rattle on a tray which the performer holds in his hand. This act must be seen to be believed. Many who went in scorn returned home to praise. None found even a reasonable solution to offer,and once again silence was shown to he the sincerest form of flattery. It must not be considered, however, that this sensation appears in the evening's entertainment as in any way overpowering or overshadowing the rest of the programme. Not the least pleasing item of the evening was Miss Myra Errington's musical turn, in which is introduced her excellent performance on the musical discs. To many, this was quite new. After the intermission there is nearly an hour of mysticism with an Eastern Setting which is entitled "a night in Peking," and the marvellously clean and dexterous manner in which the illusions are staged, coupled with the silence of performers (for not a word is spoken throughout), creates a feeling of wonder akin to awe in the minds of the audience. The rapidity with which the acts follow one another was such that some of the spectators admitted that they were halfway home before they* fully realised the nature of the performance. Altogether, the entertainment was much appreciated, and tonight there should be a. full house, when a complete change of programme is announced. ,' . ,

HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES,, A- strong programme -has • been; arranged for submission at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday evening, headed by '<The Stolen Symphony," a Lubin drama of extraordinary merit, i The story deals with the troubles of a poor young musical composer. He writes a beautiful symphony, and, to bring' it under public notice, he throws it into the carriage of a noted musician. But the latter is more jealous of his own reputation than eager to produce a new star, and claims the symphony as his own. The real composer laying claim to the work in a public place is persecuted by the thief; but finally he triumphs with the aid of a young lady, who had become interested in him during the period of poverty in which he had composed the work. "Death or Glory" is a strong story of love, with a magnificent setting in the military exploits of Napoleon I. when the Emperor was in the heyday of his power. Another powerful drama on the programme is "The Poacher's Pardon."