Czerny

Southland Times, Issue 19773, 24 March 1906, Page 3

Czerny

The Shakeeporian quotation which, adorned the front page of Czcruy's programme, " A muglciun most profound in his art," from "As you like it," is a most nccurute description of the artist, who made his tirst appearance at the Xcalundia I'all 'ast evening. Tho attondanco was lurgo. und all who had the privilege of seeing his performance were delighted with it. Czerny is certainly an exceptional adept in mystical urt, und there w.as not out- of his feats which did rot leave- his audience wondering and astounded. The colony has been visited by many st.ut' conjurers and prestidigitateurs, but it has been reserved for Czerny to prove that ho is the brightest of the constellation. It was impossible to cavil at the manner in which he performed any of his tricks. Tho conditions were apparently as open as the day, but though Czerny jocularly claimed that his fvnts brightened the perceptive faculties of his audience, few would bo bold enough to offer solutions of thj Btrikingly clever results he produced with so much dexterity. Ho has a most extensive reportoiro of illusions, and all wcrk up to puzzling yet charming and artistic climaxes. In many of his best acts hisj puraphemalia is simplicity itself, apparently affording not the slightest cover for the invisible migrations of cards, dice, handkerchiefs, rings, etc. Czerny introduced himself with " The Handkerchief in Trouble," and the little bit of borrowed linen was subjected to severe rending before being returned intact to u Ind.y in the audience. " A Coffee Supper" was provided from no better materials than coloured confetti. two huly patrons testifying to the good quality cf the refreshing drink, due of the most, astounding feats was tenifd "The Flight of Birds." Several canaries are transferred from a large cage to a smaller one, "which is fastened, covered with u handkerchief and placed at a corner of the stage. The large cage is suspended in mill air above the centre of the stage. Czerny lires a Pistol lt t the small,, r cage, and instantly the turds are seen llutteiing in the large one. The handkerchief is removed, showing that the smaller one is empty. The introduction of the soothsayer ■ Col Col " la skull) preceded twenty minutes capital amusement. Col (!ol has the faculty of travelling invisibly from ohe spot to another, unO when perched on his favourite trapeze enter-'-.lined the ntuliirce by naming cards which lad been previously selected by persons in the audience and which voluntarily rose from a card case when called up nil. -Tlie elusive dice la.x" mid ■■ Jolly good company" were both remarkably clever, as well as amusing, and the most critical could not tiij-1 fault with Czt«rny - s manipulation of them. Three illusions, entitled •'The llirth of Springtime, ■■ " Mimosa." and 'A Legend of Persia" were successfully presented. In the first named a large cabinet. Palpably empty, is placed on the stage and closed. The audience awaits developments, which ipiickly appear. The wori'.s of the " Spring Song " are hoard issuing from tl-e cabinet, and wli-n the doors are opened a young lady, represent in,' the season steps out and hows. " Mimosa " \s an attractive .Japanese setting of the popular .Monte Christo Act. which his always been a warm favourite. The l'cr-

sian Legend is .also, hi some respects, an "Id friend in new guise. A Persian lady, for some slight oltence. is sentenced to -tand on the "stool of repentance.' fully veiled from public view. There is apparently no possible chance of escape without observation, but when the veil is drawn the lady is missing, and in a few moments she appears in the auditorium. Tt is an exceedingly attractive as well as mystifyfrxr feat. In addition to the excellent p. n'ormnnce by the magician the audience was treated to a number nf humorous films projected by the tnbleauscope. The items were all quaint, anil hearty laughter was evoked during their currency. Miss M. Topping was encored for li,. r .song " The Shade of the old Apple Tree." a decidedly American ' composition, and she also took part with Miss Synnott in a dain't> Japanese dance. The entertainment was uiu|Uestinnably the best of its kind ever submitt.cl hem. and it won unstinted praise and admiration. Czerny makes his final ippearance this evening. when he will "resent a new programme.