LAFAYETTE THE ENTERTAINER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 302, 16 May 1911, Page 5

LAFAYETTE THE ENTERTAINER

■UNPRECEDENTED DEMONSTRA. TIOX.

By Cable—Pr»<sp Association—Copyright, Received 15, 10.50 p.m. London, May 15.

There was an unprecedented demonstration at Edinburgh at the burial of Lafayette, the entertainer, burned at the theatre fire. The urn containing his oremated remains was placed in a casket containing the embalmed remains of Lafayette's favorite dog "Beauty."

Mr. Charles Daly and Miss Kitty O'Brien, vaudeville artists at present appearing at; the Christchnrcli Opera House, were personal friends of the great Lafayette, the illusionist, and they pay a hisrli tribute to Ills memory. They describe him as one of the foremost * American showmen—a man who had worked his way to the top of the ladder by sneer ability. Mention was made in tlie cable messages of a negro, a member of Lafayette's company, who was found roaming about terror-stricken. Mr. Daly said that most likely this would be flip negro that had been' with Lafayette for a number of years, being used in several of his illusions. Tn one of these Lalayette would take a jot. paint and brush and paint the negro's head yellow. Then he would put on a wis. a false beard, and agarb on him, and he would be the late Kin? Edward. All this was done in the sight of the audience. Suddenly the negro would tear off the disguise, and it would be Lafayette himself. In "The Lion's Bride," the elaborate illusion which wns in progress when the fire occurred, the lion is in one cage and a lady (the bride) in another. Tn a flash they chance from cage to cage, always beinir in sight of the audience. Besides-being the originator of this act. Lafayette was probably the only illusionist performing it. Regarding the Empire Theatre, owned by Sir Edward Morn, where the fire took place, Mr. Daly had little favorable to say. Tt was a fire trap. He named another Scottish theatre where the conditions were even worse, the dressingrooms for the artists being underneath the stage. The English were careless where precautions aeainst fire were concerned. It was different in America. There, since the Iroquois (ire. all scenery had to be rireproofed before it was used, j