COUNTED OUT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16528, 21 May 1919, Page 4

COUNTED OUT.

A MAGICIAN'S F.VILURE

DISTURB.VXCE AT grand OPERA

HO USE WELLTNGTOX

Seldom has snch 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 pickod artists" (says Monday's "New Zealand Times''). In certain quarters "Low Kun'' was viewed with some suspicion, yob ho drew a very largo audience to the Opera House, tho capacious building boin<* packed to tho 4 doors. Shortly after & o'clock, the orci.estra of three inu c icians appeared and played the National Anthem. lhis was followed bv oue of tho "artists,'' as a result of Mucins tho audience showed a ro6d of dissatisfaction. Tho vpcoiul item' on the programme was "iven bv Franklin Devon, "The Bewildering Necromancer," said to have by Mr Kun at enormous expense." This ""artist" selected from the audience a committee of sis youths, u-lin' were aiven chairs on. tho stage. Thev vere greeted with "How much are vou getting for the show?" and other similar remai'ks. Devon proceeded to put the youths "under the influence," and the audience was then treated to many acts of vulgarity. This wis tho signal for 'loud cries of "Dirtv "Filthy!" and "Chuck him out!"' and eventually a largo section of tho audience counted him out. After the "artist" had performed several feats of "mystery," the committee returned to -their seats in tho stalls. During tho interval soon after, a largo number of tho audience left their seats and failed to return. The first item on the second half was contributed by a mezzo-soprano who roally 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 showor of coins, buttons, etc., eventually retiring before she had completed the brst verso. , . , The mirth had barely subsided wnen the fljirtain went up for the star item of the evening. "Low Ivun in l<eats 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 tho so-called Low Kun" came forward, for he was no other person than Franklin Devon, who appeared undisguised in the first halt. He was assisted bv two genuine Celestials. "Low Kun" was again counted out many times, and showed evident signs of uneasiness. He proceeded to perform several tricks, but the crowd became impatient, and it was only with difficulty that the "i" u 7 sionist" calmed them. He then placed one of his Chinese assistants on the floor, and "hypnotised" him, the subject being raised very jerkily trom the floor to a height of 31't ol" 41t, where he remained seemingly suspended in mid-aii'. When the time arrived for the subject to be lowered to the stage, he would noL descend, in spite of "Low Kun's" oraeis. which were audible even to tho circle. The mechanism used in the staging of the "illusion" evidently failed to act, and the body of the subject commenced to sway. A long sword was placed on the body of the Chinaman, and he was once, again ordered to descend by 1 'Low Kun," who at the same time endeavoured to push him down with his hands. The strain was too great, rparently, and the hbdy crashed to the floor with a heavv 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 the 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 our money b{ick." Two of J. C. "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 the appearance of "Low Kun," and, on receiving no answer, several persons picked up stones and hurled them through tho windows. They then returned to the front of the Opera House and pulled down tht> boards bearing posterß advertising the "illusionist." From the tone of the talking that was going on amongst the crowd, it seemed apparent that if "Low Kun" had appeared he would suffer serious injury. "Givo us the Chow," they still cried out. "We will look after him," followed by "Part up the £100."

Sergeant McKelvie and a constable then arrived and prevented any further damage being done. But for the tact, of the police in handling the crowd, a much more serious disturbance might have occurred. 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 :ifter 11 o'clock without seeing "Low Kun."

It is almost to add that the season has been abandoned."