MALINI, MAGICIAN

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1918, Page 3

MALINI, MAGICIAN

A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION,

So great is his reputation- in this city, it was a foregone conclusion that Malini would have an overflowing audience in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday night, when he opened a short return season. -So it was, and those who had the-good fortune .to be present saw a wonderful exhibition of the art of tho conjurer in its very best form. Many amazing things does Malini doj so many as to baffle description. Scorning the use of . tho customary paraphernalia of tho professional "wizard," Malini relies entirely upon the marvellous dexterity of his pair of hands —a dexterity only achieved after years of practice. If patrons were quite unable to accept Malini's naive opening-, "I am not the devil," some of his tricks seemed nearly -worthy of tho supernatural powers of His Satanic Majesty. When a man wrenches a button off a coat, and affixes it again with no more effort than putting on a postage stamp, could people be blamed for almost imagining the smell of sulphur ? Who but one gifted with dark powers could produce pound notes from.the interior of uncut lemons and unbroken eggs? To what else but the supernatural could be ascribed the gift which enabled Malini, blindfolded, to pick out with the point of a penknife from a tumbled heap of packs of'cards,, ten.cards previously selected by his "committee-" on the stage and by members of the audience at random ? These and a host of other things,'almost equally amazing, Malini did with an ease which makes,it look "so simple." He is no doubt a" very great magician, a manipulator of the first water of varied articles, a gifted story teller, and a born showman.

Supporting Malini, vocal and instrumental items were given, and given most'acceptably. Miss Ettie Field.'a young Auckland lady, has a rich soprano voice,, which she used to good advantage in tho, numbers she chose. Her first was "Sognia" (Schira), with 'cello pbligato, and -she responded to an insistent encore with "A ye Maria." Later in the programme; Miss Field ,sang the bracketed . numbers, "Sing, Joyous Bird" (Phillips) and "Good-bye" (Tosti), with grace and feeling, and for ,an encore she gave the ever-popular "Coming Home. ' Mrs. A. M. Montague's executive ability at the piano is well and favourably" known here. In addition to playing the accompaniments tastefully she played two solos, "Deuxie'me Mazurk" (Goddard) and "Valse" (Sibelius). Each lady received a handsome floral tribute. Mr. Frank R. Johnstone, on the 'cello, charmed his hearers with "Meditation" and the bracketed numbers, "Le ' Cyg'ne" (Saint Saehs) and Gavotte (Popper). He, too, was compelled to respond to calls for more.

_ Altogether flip entertainment is a delightful one, which should; not be inissetl- • | .At tne close of the performance on Saturday night, Malini announced that during his stay in the city his.'services during the day - will be at. tho disposal of any worthy patriotic: or charitable movement. . This announcement was received with applause. Mention of tho tastefully-decorated stage must be made. The scheme was a pretty, and effective arrangement of flowers, foliage, flags, and 'furniture, and. it looked very well indeed. ... ■... :