DRIVES, THE MAGICIAN.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13411, 8 May 1912, Page 7

DRIVES, THE MAGICIAN.

A crowded uudieuco assembled at the Theatre Royal" last evening to witness the entertainment given by Driver, tho conjuror, who a couple of years ago, at Wellington, gained notoriety throughout tho Dominion as tho man who produced by trickery any of tho manipulations accomplished by the spirit -medium, Charles Bailey. Anything in tho nature of magic or mystery appeals to tho public, and last night's audience showed thoir keen appreciation of tho clever and skilful manner in which Mr Driver performed numerous s.ight-lof-haud tricks by frequent and hearty applause. As a manipulator of cards. Mr Driver proved himself a past master, and completely mystified his auditors with his' handkerchief, coin, and ring [tricks, some of which, although they may have been seen before, amply justified repetition, and appeared delightfully bright and attractive. In the Cabinet trick, which was performed in Nelson a few years ago by Maskelyne and Devant, Mr Driver was highly successful. With his hands having been tied | securely behind his back by members of the audience and tied to a chair, the knots being sealed, tha conjurer was placed in the cabinet, and hardly wore the doors closed before bells inside, worn-. rung, etc., and hands appeared .?.t uk; apertures in the door a. Ceitpi.jg snudenly the doors were tkr^.vn -ly^n i...d.

there was Driver sit.ii.;.; in t.Uo <•;.::.;;•, with his hands tied, ;uici the .sc.;i:i on the knots unbroken, hi v.io twi.iidi.ji; of an eye he divested iji.^tcli cf his coat, and was found i:i exactly _ the same position as before. Not satisfied with this, Driver changed' his coat for that of one of the committee, and tho knots remained as they were, with the seajls unbroken. The entertainment concluded with a "spiritualistic seance" which Mr Driver was careful to explain was not done by spiritualism. At the outset he explained that he had no desire to hurt the feelings of believers in spiritualism, but would give these demonstrations as a warning to those wiio might be misled by so-called spirit mediums. Mr Driver was enveloped in a bag, which was tied at the neck by two members of the .audionco, and then fastened to a chair. The lights were turned down, and then ghostly forms appeared, and "mysterious lights." The seance was warmly applauded. In his demonstration Mr Driver was abl- assisted by Mdlle Rene, while Mr Fred Mayo, a comedian, contributed a number"of items which were received with marked appreciation. To-night Mr Driver will give another entertainment, when a complete change of programme will be presented, including other "spirit" manifestations. Another crowded house may be expected, and patrons would do well to book their seats early.