THE HUGARDES.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 62, 11 September 1905, Page 5

THE HUGARDES.

The Hugardes,. who opened a short season at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, show some well-selected animated pictures, and have some acceptable concert items, but their strong point is their juggling and illusion feats, several of which are entirely new, and all of them so skilfully executed as to leave the spectators wondering '"how it is done." The first of the conjuring scenes was a display of Japanese magic, in ! which Jean Hugarde, as the magician, artistically attired in Japanese kimono, produces endless quantities of coloured ribbon, a number of flags, and other articles from a small pieces of tissue-paper, and does some clever tricks with rings. Of these the most surprising is the "Thumb-tie" trick. One of the Hugardes has his two thumbs tied together by one of the audience, and the other, standing at the opposite side of the stago, throws half a dozen rings on to the man's extended arms, three rings falling on one arm and three on the oiher. How tho rings got past the bound thumbs remains an unsolved problem. The "vanishing Jady" illusion, which concluded this acene, was even more mysterious. The lady in question is covered by a cloak, and on the removal of this her chair is seen to be empty. A large corded box, which has been suspended from the ceiling in full view of the audience since the opening of the scene, is then lowered, untied, and unlocked, and another box lifted from inside it. On this also being opened another box is disclosed, and inside this third box is found the missing lady, apparently none the worse for her temporary confinement .in close quarters. T.oud applause followed both this and the "thumb" feat. In a "magnetic seance," Jean Hugarde, after some clever curd tricks, mesmerises and suspends in mid-air his lady assistant, without any apparent support, passing hcops around ier to uhoy; her complete isolation. Perhaps the most startling of the conjuring feats was that entitled "Invulnerability," ax which Dal Hugarde is the active and his brother the passive performer. From a tray of bullets the audience are requested to pick three, and mark them. Three volunteers then march from the back of the auditorium to the stage, where their rifles are loaded, in view of the spectators, with the marked bulJets. They then return to the rear of th«s pit, and Jean Hugarde, who has been sitting watching tho proceedings, now arises and holds before his breast a square of black velvet with a red heart embroidered on it, as a target for the marksmen. There is a loud repoit, and the three "marked bullets drop from the velvet shield into a plate beneath, which is immediately carried into the stalk, where tho bullets are examined ond verified by the puzzled spectators. Another loud round of applause greeted the successful performance of this feat. The interest and amusement of the final

conjuring scene are added to by some rapid changes of costume on the part of tho conjurer in his efforts to dodge a too troublesome policeman. The living pictures shown included some vivid scenes of a fire in New York, and some amusing sketches, one of these, "Tho ThreoJLittle Maids," rivalling as a laughter-raiser the [ famous "Lost Child." Acceptable vocal items, some illustrated, were contributed by Miss Louise Fisher and Mr. Clifford Thomas, who were recalled on each appearance. Some very pretty scenery is shown as a setting for the performance, and the appointments generally are excellent. The .programme is to be repeated to-night, and the quality of the entertainment should ensure a highly successful season. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Saturday night's audience at His Majesty's Theatre was largo and appreciative. The bill-of-fare which tho Messis. Fuller presented was varied enough to satisfy the most fastidious. It was bright throughout, and encores wero frequent. The latest additions to the company are Miss Celia Mavis, who was here with Mr. John F. Sheridan's company, and Mr. Charles Stanley, who has come to Wellington with an Australian roputation. Both were well received. Miss Mavis sang "Dreamland," and was obliged to contribute two more songs— "Till Death" and "The Gondolier"—before tho audience was satisfied. Mr. Stanley ("the man with a woman's voice") was equally successful, his sougs, "Bid mo to love" and "B»eauso I love you' being given very effectively. The Driscoll Boys weie as funny as ever. They sang and danced well, and their quips and pranks sent the audience into fits of laughter. The Rollos appeared in a new musical comedo, "Deceit USsco-vrered," wbiel. gn-iro them full scope for their talent. This piece made a decided hit, and both artists were frequently applauded. No more popular vaudeville artist than Mr. Fred. Rivenhall has appeared on the boards of His Majesty's Theatre. His turn is never less than half-an-hour, and during that time he reels off song after song in a manner which delights his audience. "The Brown Coon Brigade," by Mr. Bob Scott, was well worth listening to. Miss Ivy Goodwill again met with a hearty reception. The serio-comic song and dance "Barney" was her best effort. The Valmore Sisters, • whose Wellington engagement will shortly terminate, are capable singers and dancers, and on Saturday night they wero twice recalled. Vocal items contributed by Mis 3 Mabel Lynne, Miss Nelly Power, and Mr. Charles Howard were also appreciated. Mention must be made of the capital selections played by the orchestra, under Mr. Edgar Collins. This evening Scott and Beresford, comic sketch artists from Sydney, will appear for the first time in New Zealand, and on Friday "the Modern Milo," and Ouikshank, the caricaturist, will begin a short season under engagement, to Messrs. Fuller and Son.}. BIORAMA COMPANY. On Thursday evening next the Salvation Army Biorama Company will open at the I Opera House, under the direction of | Brigadier Perry, the Army's kisemato- j graph expert, for a short season. The Company visited this city some months back, and showed to crowded houses in the Town Hall, aud (.ince that time it lm achieved success all through the North Island, The coming Wellington season will witness a largely-improved stock of the latest and best kinematograph films and slides the world can produce. The moving pictures include pathetic and humorous subjects, and also Continental ! and New Zealand scenery. Several hunI drcd pAunds' worth of pictures have been secured especially for the return visit to Wellington, and the exhibitions are being given in connection with tho lecal corps' self-denial efforts. A brass band of 24 performers is included in the personnel of the company, and some very" fine orchestral items will be played during the : season. / j Good business was done at the various stalls at the Maori-Pakeha Carnival in the Salvation Army's Citadel in VivianEtrest on Saturday night. An entertaining programme of a miscellaneous character was presented by the various parties who had contributed to the week's programmes. This evening is to be a Young People's Night at the carnival, and ths Sunbeam Choristers are to provide tho entertainment. The carnival closes to-morrow night with, a "grand finale."