AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12763, 16 March 1906, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

CZERNY. . AVhat the public will like about Czeruv is the cleanness of ail his work. There is not a moment in Iris three hours’ entertainment when tho audience can flatter themselves that they have grasped his method—except on the two or three occasions on which the entertainer makes his work obvious for the purpose of ultimate discomfifcure to the clover ones. AJ though Czerny does not really break new ground in his illusions or dexterous finger work, his adaptations of some favorite illusions are so originally conceived as to take away most if the reminiscent flavor. There need be no doubt in theatre-lovers’ minds that Czerny is both a remarkable and an entertaining conjurer. The goodly audience that assembled at the popular Princess"’ Theatre last evening were cordial in their recognition of his gifts. The three head-line illusions, are billed as ‘The Birth of Springtime,’ ‘The Levitation of Princess Astra,’ and ‘A Legend of Persia.’ They are extremely mystifying. Of course, with most illusionists the levitation mystery is brought forward as the star- act. There is something weird about it that grips the imagination. A lady lies asleep on a couch; in an instant the couch is withdrawn, and she rests on thin air, the operator passing a hoop the length of the body, and thus apparently demonstrating that there is no supporting wire. Czerny has some weird, soul-curdling music for this act that is highly suggestive. There are other minor illusions that provoke wonderment, and are in great measure new. ‘ A Legend of Persia is a stoking and extremely spectcular adaptation of ' the substitution illusion, while ‘The Story of Japan’.is introduced with much art, and performed with skill and celerity. The stage arrangements and setting, representing an Egyptian scene, are gorgeous, and Czerny, in the midst of these bizarre surroundings, stands for the modern magician surrounded by the mysteries of a thousand years ago. There is no need to particularise further. Czerny is an exceptionally clever man, whose entertainment is excellent, and in a large degree novel. For several of his illusions he claims the assistance of members of his audience, and is wise enough to steer clear of any pleasantries at his temporary assistants’ expense. Some good spectacular films are shown by the tableauscope, and' Airis AI. Topping sings the illustrated song ‘ In the shade of the old apple tree’ with sweetness. There is, too, a good orchestra, who, under the baton of Air J. Dorgan, play the symbolic incidental music with charm, Czerny will appear again this evening. ALHAMBRA THEATRE. A good week-end house occupied the Alhambra Theatre last evening. Tho programme presented is full of variety and fun. This evening the Gibson girls, who for five weeks have been before Dunedin theatre-goers, make a farewell appearance. Their clever danoing has made them very popular with Alhambra audiences. The other people who will assist in the final presentment of the present programme are Sheldon (ventriloquist), the Ihsoms, the Rowell sisters, Misses Leslie and Lytton, Walker and Hughes (jugglers), Messrs Warel Lear and Jack Hagan. To-morrow evening there will appear the Brady sisters and others. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Mr R. G. Knowles closed his Dunedin season as a monologue entertainer before a thin house last night. Just before the curtain fell he looked ssarchingly round the auditorium of His Alajesty’s 'Theatre, and told a story of two entertainers in America. There the custom seems to be that the departing showman acts as an advance agent for one who is following him to the extent of notifying the audience of his brother professional’s season. On one occasion showman No. 2 heard that No. 1 had neglected to do this for him in one town, and, meeting him some time afterwards, reproached him with it. The first man replied : *' Awfully sorry, old man; I would have done it, only he got up and went out.” Air Knowles said that his own audience that night was not quite so attenuated as that, but that it could go home in two cabs, and then not be overcrowded. Humorists _ are allowed to exaggerate, and the audience took Mr Knowles’s comments on the support given him in excellent part.