THE INDIAN JUGGLER.

Evening Star, Volume 8505, Issue 8505, 2 May 1891, Page 2

THE INDIAN JUGGLER.

There was a fair attendance at the City Hall last night when Abdool Ahumud gave an entertainment, consisting of sleight-of-hand feats and “ mesmeric ” exhibitions. The performer speaks very broken English, which prevents the greater part of what he Bays from being understood ; but to counteract this defect the tricks are so cleverly done that one plainly sees that they are successful, which is, after all, the most itnpor tant consideration. Several of the feats he introduced were undoubtedly first-class, and it is noticeable that they do not resemble in any respect those with which Professor Anderson delighted us a few weeks back, but are really a degree higher. The cup and ball juggling was shown in a most dexterous manner, the balls disappearing and reappearing in a way which certainly could not be detected by the audience, or even by a couple of boys who were seated beside the performer on the platform. Another mysterious feat was this ; The performer, with his thumbs securely tied together with thread, passed his hands over a boy’s head, and, lowering them to the waist, apparently pulled them through the boy’s body. At any rate, he did not unfasten the knot, which was afterwards examined by the man who tied it when it was found quite taut. A youngster who was on the stage was unwilling to submit himself to this treatment, and notwithstanding the entreaties of the performer and the cajolery of the audience he flatly refused to be bisected. The mango plant was made to spring up with wonderful rapidity, anil was subsequently presented to a gentleman in tbp body of the hall, who will doubtless watch ite future progress with interest. Another “ trick ” which should be mentioned was the disposal o£ seventy-five yards t ,of woollen yarn, a number of pence, and several glass balls, which the performer stated he actually did swallow—a feat which he was only enabled to accomplish after long practice. He did away with the articles, and then reproduced them with all signs of an attack of mal-de-mer, which was strong evidence that he really did in the first instance send the collection the road of the ordinary diet. The second part of the entertainment was monoppfised by Mr G, Dickie, of South Dunedin, who gaye a very clever ventriloquial performance, for which he was heartily applauded and called before the curtain, The entertainment was closed with a performance of “ fpesifierispi ” . by Ahumud, but it was pot @>ll in @}l satisfactory to the audience, who were, apparently, of the mind that the “ subjects ” had been arranged with beforehand. These men readily volunteered to undergo treatment, and after a few passes bad been made over them they were off, and were seemingly at the will of the operator. They took onions for apples, cauliflowers for tomatoes, water for whisky, and swam and fished on thfi sfcge just as they were directed. Another young man wi>9 went on the boards could not be influenced Ip the least, A similar entertainment will foe given' to-night, and those who wish to witness an excellent performance of legerdemain should take advantage of the opportunity.