NICOLA, MAGICIAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 783, 2 October 1929, Page 17

NICOLA, MAGICIAN

AMAZING CONJURING “How did he do that one?” —-the universal question asked by everyone who has seen Nicola performing his marvels at the St. James Theatre tliis week. His amazing conjurings—they’re more than mere tricks —bring: gasps of wonder from the audience and puzzle even the wisest. He does not believe in mystifying his audience, however. He likes to talk about each trick and his amusing patter helps his show along considerably. Women disappear, are cut in half and lose their heads, eggs flow from the mouths of his assistants and showers of cards fly to all parts of the theatre. Never once does Nicola cease his stream of patter. From the first it is a comedy show. There is none of the terrifying “business” which was once so favoured by magicians. Nicola laughs all the time and his audience generally laughs with him—if they aren’t to much out of breath with amazement. This master of illusion revives many of the famous old tricks and gives them an atmosphere of novelty by* his skill and invention. Also he has devised new' ones known to no one else in his profession. He has travelled the world and displays the illusions of the Hindus, the Chinese and the Egyptians. From end to end his programme is filled with interest and excitement and the audiences filling the house enjoy a splendid entertainment. Janet Gaynor's “voice with a soul,’’ will be heard in song for the first time in “Sunny' Side Up,” an all-talking, singing and dancing musical play.