PROFESSOR ANDERSON AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 5

PROFESSOR ANDERSON AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Professor Anderson, tho Wizard of the North, commenced a short season at the Opera House on Saturday night, with a programme of feats of necromancy, some old some new, but all clever, and skilfully performed. Owing to the tempestuous weather, the house was not well filled, but the Professor carried out his programme faithfully. The stage was very neatly fitted up, and when the Professor and his man, the latter dressed in Chinese costume, came forward, the former was received with applause. The first feat was somewhat novel. A large cauldron was suspended from a triangle, and under this, after water had been poured into it from four buckets, a furnace was placed, and in the course of a few minutes the professor proceeded to take from it one by one about a score of live pigeons of all colours. The next trick was the watch and pockethandkerchief feat, performed in a new way, for the handkerchief was found in a locked box on the stage and the watch in the interior casket of nine boxes which had been all along at the extreme end of the platform in the middle of the audience, and this performance was warmly applauded. The tricks with cards were very cleverly executed, and the hat trick and instantaneous production of flowers were very amusing. The restoration of the broken plate was also remarkably successful, and the intelligent ball by its answers to questions afforded great amusement. The production of the live gold fish, although an old feat, was as astonishing as ever. The Professor also performed the Indian basket trick with remarkable skill. Madame De La Cour gave some clever exhibitions of clairvoyancy and slate writings, and the Davenport cabinet feats were performed with great success, introducing not only the spirit rappings, musical instrument playing, and ghostly hands, but an actual spirit appearance which held converse with the Professor. This was followed by other manifestations, including floating and tilting tables and other equally remarkable feats. Altogether the performance was a very good one. Professor Anderson has a good stage presence, and keeps his audience thoroughly amused the whole time he is on the stage.