THEATRE ROYAL

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13510, 4 February 1908, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL

" CARTER " THE MYSTERIOUS. Nowadays exhibitors of magic and legerdemain must be prepared for the keen watchfulness of a generation of people to whom nothing is surprising, who have witnes.-ed the performances of past masters of the art of'illusion, and who have also read the works which revealed, in plain language, the secrets thajb baffled the public for years. To successfully pass through such an ordeal requires great skill. ,\i r Carter has an easy polished style, and an amusing flow of chat-, his humour being naturally expressed. He commences his programmes with "'a bouquet of mysteries," "which includes half-a-dozen "very neat tricks. The transference of a red silk handkerchief from one glass-vessel to another within the sight of the spectators puzzle.-! many. The familiar feat of causing cards previously drawn from a, pack by" perscri> in the "audience to rko from the vessel in which they are placed (a glass goblet) is watched with interesrt that is increased by the happy way in which it is done. Mr Carter shows cleverness hi his manipulation of the pack. Cabinet feats take up a considerable time, and afford much diversion. Mr Carter, bound in a chair in one compartment, changes coats with a gentleman irt another portion of the cabinet, and does other clever tricks. Miss Abigail Price will exhibit her powers in "mental telepathy," answering a number of questions written by people in the audience, and disclosing the names of the querists. This is an amusing and interesting f-aUnv of the programme, and not a little puzzling. Mr Carter assisted by Corinne Carter, creates a good deal of wonderment in an exposition of Chinese magic, the performers appearing in Chinese costume. From a. square of carpetlike material. Mr Carter 'produces a number of vessels of considerable size, fitted with various articles, the appearance of a huge basiu of water being quite an achievement. Mr Allan Shaw's manipulation of coins and cards' is decidedly clever.