CANTERBURY HALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7585, 19 December 1902, Page 2

CANTERBURY HALL.

THE BICKAKDS CX)MPANY. Mr Harry Rickards's third touring company opened a season at the Canterbury Hall last nignt, in the presence of ''a (togs* and specially enthusiastic audience, abme two thousand people, assembling" to witness the local debut of Sandow, tvho is. the star Attraction of the compamy. It was something of an experiment on Mr Rick«ards's part to take his company to the Canterbury Hall, and while the experiment was justified in its result from a, financial point of view, the oft- expressed opinion that the Hall is unsuitable for dramatic and theatrical performances generally was amply emphasised. The audience sat through the first part of the entertainment patiently v enough and not without an appreciation" of the items produced for their benefit, but they were obviously waiting for the " star " turn, and the appearance of Sandow was the signal for a- literal storm of applause. So much has been written of his feats that it is almost unnecessary to detail them here. He Was disclosed first of All on tt pedestal, posing in statuesque posture, the play and ripple of his muscles being shown with marvellous •distinctness against the background of purple velvet. 9Phe final exhaustion and inflation of his massive chest gave some faint suggestion of the power of the- man which appeared to .appeal strongly to the enthusiastic ambience. Thereafter he gave an exhibition ol Jeats of strength which were graded on an ascending scale to a climax that was almost incredible. He juggled 1 and toyed with weights varying from 1121b to 22Mb as if they were corks, amd then superadded to their immensity the weights of several men with an easy nonchalance that was annoying to the mere weak onlooker who had hitherto prided himself on his strength. He tore packs of cards—- three at a time — as if they were so much paper, balanced his assistants in the air singly on one hand, raised them on his legs and ankles while in a lying posture, and wound tip. by supporting all sis of them in addition to a quarter of « ton of weights on a table, on his chest. Every feat was performed cleanly, gracefully, and with a suggestion of infinite ease, and the , conclusion of th© turn was the signal for long and vociferous applause, to which the strong man bowed his acknowledgements. But, apart from this marvellous exhibition, the company Was responsible for an excellent programme. Mr and Mrs Sidney Drew presented a delightful little one-act comedy entitled " When Two Hearts are Won." The humour was bright and crisp, and the little piece was prettily and effectively played. A small pug dog, who was included in the cast, deserves special mention for his stolid and imperturbable demeanour under trying circumstaaices. Professor Maccann, the concertina king, duly performed the miracles he was announced to perform on this somewhat ordinary instrument, and he turned it by hia "concertina genius" into quite an extraordinary one. He appeared to be able to secure almost any variety of music from his instruments, from church 'bells to clarionets, and the audience compelled him to return "just once .mov&l' until even his good nature expired. Mr Mark Anthony was responsible for some delicious patter and light comedy work, which won him warm applause. Little Fanny Powers, a child serio of quite exceptional parts, was particularly successful in some inimitable imitations of variety artists, those of Morris Ranger and Irene Franklin being specially clever. Miss Ray Jones's ballad Biaging was sweet and effective, an'd Miss' Nita Leete also scored in a similar class'' of work. The pictures of the Coronation. ttnd of the steamer Kronprinz Wilhelm were yiyidlv clear and convincing, and closed an entertainment which, for all-round excellence, probably excels both of those which preceded it under Mr Rickards's management. The performance Will be repeated to-night. __