THEATRE ROYAL

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3575, 23 December 1882, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL

Kellar and Cunard.

We remind our readers that Messrs Kellar and Cunard, the renowned Royal illusionists, who arrived here per Rotomahana from Auckland this morning, will open at the Theatre Royal On Boxing night, when they will doubtless be welcomed by a crowded audience. The following notice of one of their Southern performances ia extracted from the columns of ourChristchurch namesake: —

Messrs Cunard and Kellar, the Eoyal Illusionists, gave the first of their remarkable performances at the Gaiety last evening. From the notices the Company had received in the southern papers, we were led to expect something out of the common, and we were not disappointed. All that has been said of them was strictly borne out by last night's performance, and those who were present wero . unanimously of opinion that since Heller was here Mr Kellar's equal has never been seen in Christchurch. The first part of the programme consisted of a number of tricks with decanters, hats, rings, cards, &c, most of which have been performed here by other magicians, though Mr Kellar did them with a neatness and dexterity that we have never seen excelled. After a short interval Mr Kellar introduced his automata to the audience. These marvellous figures, though removed from any possible communication with him, performed feats which completely astounded the audience. One diminutive figure, seated cross-legged on the end of-a glass cylinder, made a number of calcula- , tions of the most difficult character in so short a time, that we question if many of our best mathematicians could keep pace with him. Other figures played on the cornet and euphonium in a manner which would have done credit to any bandsman. In the cornet solos the double-tongueing and general execution was remarkably good, while the euphonium player produced to perfection the full mellow tone which is the great desideratum in this instrument. " Clio," the figure of a little girl, at the request of the audience, sketched a capital portrait of Sir Garnet Wolsley. The third part of the performance consisted of the "rope-tying trick" made famous by the Davenport Brothers. ' Mr Kellar's performance is, however, infinitely superior to theirs. He allows two persons chosen from the audience, to place a " single hitch " knot round each of hia wrists and pull it as tight as they can by main force, and then tie a " reef knot" on it. From this he frees himself in five or six seconds, and performs a number of feats, which are both astonishing and amusing. The entertainment is throughout an extraordinary one, and one which will afford employment for those who are fond of searching out mysteries for months to come. Mr Kellar is fortunate, in as much that he lives in the " enlightened nineteenth century." Had he performed these miracles two or three hundred years ago, he would have fallen a victim to the stake and the faggot.