CINQUEVALLI TELLS SECRETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2927, 20 April 1910, Page 69

CINQUEVALLI TELLS SECRETS.

RELIANCE ON EXPERT ASSISTANT. The famous .Higgler of the music halls, Paul Cinquevalli, was sued in the Shoreditch County Court for not fulfilling his " turn " at the London Music Hall, where he was engaged to appear. The action was brought by the proprietors of the "R. B." Syndicate. Under an agreement made in 1907 Cinquevalli was to appear at the Cambridge Music Hall and receive £64 10s a week. There was a clause in the agreement by which the artist could be transferred to another house, and in 1908 his agent agreed to this being done to the London. In March, 1909, Cinquevalli appeared at the "first house" at the hall, but declined to appear at the second, or. the ground that his assistant had been taken ill. Cinquevalli explained how indispensible was the assistant when he was called to the witness box. The Advocate : I think you had" an assistant named Walter ? —Yes, Walter Burford. How long had he-been with you?— Ten years. An assistant is necessary for you as a juggler ?—Absolutely. .. Is it possible for a juggler to give an entertainment without one?—lf he starts training without one he can, but not otherwise. . An assistant is part and parcel of his body. Has an assistant to be highly trained ? —lt takes a considerable time. You could not use an ordinary super?— Certainly not. Cinquevalli explained that this was not the only engagement he was unable to fulfil on account of .the illness of his assistant. He had to give up several engagements. He took the lad to Australia for a sea voyage, and he seemed better; but when they returned to the Tivoli later Walter had a fit on the stage, and the curtain had. to be rung down. He died shortly after from general paralysis. THE BILLIARD BALLS TRICK. The advocate for the syndicate suggested that a trained assistant was not necessary for all the features of the " turn " which was billed, but the reply was that he siimialy was essential. One of your acts is balancing a billiard ball on a cue and catching others in pockets about your person?—Yes, it is the principal act. Your assistant did not help you in that?—He did. He does not help in the Tussling?—Tf he throws things to me and I throw them to him, that is juggling. The advocate was apparentlv not easily convinced. He persisted: " But you are the person who has the skill as the juggler, not the assistant? " " Ah," said Cinniievalli. "he is supposed not to have it, but he has. He is supposed to be clumsy, biit he is reaJly adroit. That is how he deceives the public." But the public wants to see Paul Cinquevalli, and not the assistant?—No ; many came to see the assistant rather than Cinquevalli.—(Lausrhter.) Your modesty does you credit. —There is no modesty about it. Some people like a lan<rh. —(Laughter.) Judge Smylv showed at once that he agreed with the juggler. He said there was no doubt that the reason whv Cinquevalli did not appear was the illness of his assistant, who was an essentia! factor in the " usual entertainment " which he had contracted to give. He was satisfied that Cinmuevalli had acted in perfect, good faith, and had suffered fmanciallv thereby. It was' said that he might have gone on and done something, but an artist had his reputation to consider, and thev might as well ask a pianist with a. bad finger to go on and play with the others.—(Laughter.) Cinquevalli. therefore, won the judgment, with cost*.