ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 14, 18 January 1910, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CARTER THE MAGICIAN. Charles J. Carter, who astonished and amused Wellington some two years since, began a short season at the Opera House last evening before an audience at ones appreciative and happy. As was demonstrated when he was here before, Carter stands well in thß van of his profession as a conjurer arfd prestidigitateur. His properties and accourtrements are comprehensive and up to date, and whilß his hands display their dexterity, his tongue assists the mysteries along with an accompaniment of patter whose humour is the more provocative since it is mostly unexpected. Throughout the entertainment Carter's work is effortless, clean, aud always a success; and if there were many familiar subtleties on last night's programme, still it can be said that the audience appreciated the expertnegs with which these were presented. One particularly deceitful illusion is entitled "Levitation." The magician hypnotises (an' it please you) a lady assistant, who thereupon' develops acute symptoms. Stubbornly stiff, the figure is arranged on a couch, whence Carter, with a great seriousness and much finger magic, draws (as it may or may not be. according to one's" age) her slowly into the air, where, in thorough suspension,, her tense figure is subjected to the brave devices that go to demonstrate there is absolutely no deception. With an imitation of playing an invisible piano, th& conjurer lowers his "subject, and all is well. The usual interlude with the borrowed and well-intentioned boy, who has been cajoled on to the stage, but refuses to be shot, waked a lot of mirth. Cabinets, apparently empty, were requisitioned that psychic-struck tambourines and bells might take wings, and make a noise, to mystify the observer, and the way they shuffle cards in Auckland and Dunedin — the latter especially — as shown by Carter, can be recommended to devotees of the card table when the bits of pasteboard are winning unkindly. An allegedly inexhaustible battle contained both drink and meat, ifone fancied the tender guinea pig at the bottom,- while the bewildering transitions, transformations, and apparently inexplicable tricks so dear to the hand of the conjurer and the hearts of the patrons set the imagination working overtime. Anotuer little conceit which produced big results was the 'Chinese sketch, in which Carter evolved from somewhere a hundredweight and more of a basin brimming with water, and such comparatively negligible sundries as tin dishes full of fruit or other comestibles. The dancing handkerchief of Cagliostro, too, was a pretty trick. Corinne Carter, blindf old, sees v Very much more, so it appears, than many people with opera glasses. Articles chosen at haphazard in the audience were described minutely, and the oracle,' in several cases, successfully interpreted the thoughts of unknowns in the house. Sir Joseph Ward and a party witnessed ; the performance. I Carter, whose programme is full of things that should be seen, will make magic throughout the week, FULLER'S VAUDEVILLE. The Theatre Royal was crowded in every part last night, when Fuller's Vaudeville Company gave another change of programme, and the audience was* enthusiastic throughout. A new comedy sketch was given by Armstrong and Verne, which was greeted witb loud laughter. Miss Verne sang "Whistle and I'll Wait for You," and Mr. Armstrong sang a parody of "Asleep in the Deep" and "The Land of the Southern Cross." Finally they were not permitted to leave till Mr. Armstrong - had danced an eccentric dance and sang "Give My Regards to Broadway /^ Two little performers, "The. National Duo,*' saner prettily "Hullo, Little Girl," andN also danced the Merry Widow and Apache and coster waltzes cleverly. Messrs. Chas. Heath and J. Lamb, the Newcastle coalminers, sang the duet, "The Army and Navy," in capital style ; Mr. Smith was heard to great advantage in "Nirvana" ; and Mr. Lamb was loudly applauded for his singing of "The Mighty Deep."' Ths Levartos introduced some new and clever juggling feats, the comedy, as usual, being amusing ; and the Duckworths's acrobatic and juggling feats were of a high order of merit. The trick cycling by Lerone is a marvellous performance ; in conclusion, he takes the machine to pieces while riding round .the ring, and rides on a single wheel. Mr. Joe Rox's comic songs were loudly applauded as usual, the Scott Brothers' patter was highly diverting, and the singing of Miss Meryl Laurence was much appreciated. The Three Starrs contributed a charming trio, and Miss Nina Gonzales and Miss Nellie Leslie also gave items which were enjoyable. The programme will be repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a good audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when a fine programme of pictures was shown. The films embrace a variety of subjects and are never allowed to get "stale."" STAR PICTURES. A new programme of pictures was submitted at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last evening by the Star Picture Proprietary. A very fine film gave a splendid idea of the advance which has been made in aeroplaning in recent years, nights by some of the leading aeronauts of the day being depicted. "Johnny's Little Tricks" furnished the audience with a fund of amusement. The fact that Johnny got into many impossible situations did not matter ; the audience .simply wished to laugh. "A Kindhearted Judge" is also a good film of its kind. The remainder of the programme is made up of scenic, industrial, artistic, and comic studies which cannot fail to please everybody.