MAGIC AND MIDGETS

Evening Star, Issue 19442, 28 December 1926, Page 3

MAGIC AND MIDGETS

CLEVER SHOW AT HIS MAJESTY'S

Although the magician, like Father Christmas, loses most of his mana_ the moment it is suspected that he isn’t quite the miracle worker it was first thought he might be, his wand has never ceased to entrance multitudes of even the most sophisticated. This was demonstrated again yesterday at His Majesty’s Theatre, when Chefalo, the merry monarch of magic,opened his Duaiedin season in conjunction with Irving’s Imperial Midgets, both afternoon and evening performances attracting big crowds. It might well be said about this class of entertainment that the more it changes the more it is the same-thing, but Chefalo must bo given the credit ot presenting not only an elaborate and ingenious performance, but also an exquisitely dressed show as well. Some of the illusions have no doubt been hawked around the world since the days when it was first-discovered what untold treasures could be extracted from a few mysterious-looking trunks and packing cases; that is, as long as the precaution had been taken ol fitting them with a false bottom and a few other simple accessories so necessary to those who essay to call up spirits and other things from the vasty deep of the stage. Chefalo has a strong penchant lor poultry, and at, the slightest provocation the stage is transformed! into a well-stocked farmyard. -But like some of it housed in the humble roosts of our own citizenry, the birds have an unfortunate habit of disappearing, though Chcfaio’s birds show their superior training and education by turning up the instant they are and the dispenser of magic is not compelled to indulge in a wild orgy of bird imitations either to effect his purpose. Early in. the piece he decides to perforin the operation that is known in polite suhurbiton society as “screwing the necks” of some of his fowl. This is done to the accompaniment of “ugbs!” and “the cruel beast!” etc-., though even the most humanitarian would probably have been the first to admit that, notwithstanding iheir severe ordeal, the victims took matters rather nonchalantly. The hullabaloo arose when a careless assistant returned the duck’s severed headpiece to the rooster, and vice versa. When the same perfohner came back later in the evening pigeons and ducks again played a prominent part, enough of the latter being produced to keep an ordinary man in roast duck until next Christmas. There was a good deal else in which the fancy did not enter, the Hying lady, for instance. Chefalo’s lady assistant, after being merely covered with a white sheet, commenced to move roofvvards, but when the magician removed the covering it was discovered that his assistant had vanished. There was the “spiritualistic cabinet,” with its ghostly frequenters, whoso learsomcness sent three small boys who had ventured on the stage post haste back to thoir mothers. There were cc.medy interludes aplenty, in which some of the members of the audience were the victims of a little good-natured banter. This, too, appears to be an inevitable ingredient in this class of show. Irving’s Imperial Midgets received a flattering reception, and these Liliputmu entertainers deserved it. Measured by ordinary standards, all the fifteen members of this unique little troupe are decidedly small fry, nut it is a different n. atter when ono comes to estimate them from the point of view of their capacity as far as artistic ability is concerned. On that valuation there is a very different story to tell. Some of them, for all their doll-like appearance, are really accomplished performers, and yesterday’s audiences quickly recognised their merits. Willie Hollo, the dapper little follow whoso benignant presence on top ot the piano during most of the performance added many a sparkle to the show, essayed to conduct the orchestra. which lie did with all the necessary pomp and circumstance; and he also introduced his pigmy brethren and sistern very discreetly and decorously, and also on occasions with a graceful wit. But it was his efforts on the xylophone that sent those present into ecstasies. Nothing more musical, as far as this instrument is concerned, has ever been iicard here. A dainty little couple, Lou and Carlue, were seen m a graceful Dutch dance, and a wellstaged scena, ‘ Les Apache,’ was equally satisfying. William Biasero trilled engagingly, whilst a pugnacious pair presented some Gallagher and Shenn impressions. There was a burlesque wrestling match, less sanguinary than the aforementioned, and a few circus stunts. The parade of 11 Wooden Soldiers u and the “ Cake Walk” finale wero spectacular affairs. In the third part the übiquitous Chefalo was “ securely ” nailed into a. packing case by, members of the audience, but hardly had the last nail been driven in than he appeared unconcernedly from behind a screen. The performer extended an invitation to the sceptical ones to come armed with their own packing cases in the future. The small orchestra struggled manfully on throughout the evening with fair success.

The programme will he repeated this evening, and there will be a matinee to-morrow.