SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1375, 31 August 1916, Page 34

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, August 28.

When the magician La Fayette met his death in an Edinburgh theatre fire a few years ago it was claimed that the secret of many of his wonderful illusions had died with him. This assertion, however, is largely disproved by the performance presented by Horace Goldin, the Russian magician and illusionist. Goldin is a new star that has arisen in the world of illusionists, and he performs with success many of the feats that made La Fayette and other celebrated illusion-

ists famous. Goldin is a pleasantmannered deceiver, who succeeds in getting the old and new tricks off his handsin the style of a smart American sales man. The test trick in the “twentieth century miracles” is the one with the line and fishing rod. With successive dips into the orchestral stalls he lands gold fish, which are placed alive in a bowl of water. It would take columns to adequately describe all the tricks Goldin does. The sensational climax is “The Tiger God,” in which he is assisted by Miss Barbara Babington and about twentyfive others. The audience is introduced to the harem of the Sultan of Morocco. The wives of the potentate are seen making Lheir observances to the Tiger God, when a white captive is thrust into their midst. Subsequently this new arrival is condemned to be shot for refusing the advances of the Sultan, and Horace Goldin, the illusionist, who makes an attempt to rescue her, is thrown inside the tiger’s cage. The climax is reached when the illusionist causes the tiger to vanish and delivers the white captive from the dusky hands of the Sultan. It is a great act and superbly staged and mounted. The second part of the entertainment is supplied by a highclass combination of vaudeville performers. Miss Marie Scott King, dispenser of quaint humour; Mennetti and Sidelli, a coupe of top-notch acrobatic comedians who know how to “deliver the goods”; Gosward, billed as something new in comedy; and Misses Hay and Crawford, two girls who can dance expertly. Miss Barbara Babington and Bill Pruitt also provide acceptable “turns.” The Wellington seasons opens on August 30.

Lovers of Shakespeare in Wellington are looking forward to a rare treat from the Allan Wilkie Shakespearian Company, which opens a season at the Grand Opera House on Saturday, September 9th. It-is. some years, now ■since any of Shakespeare’s plays were staged, and as Mr. Wilkie has decided on staging six of the bard’s masterpieces during the season it is confidently anticipated that it will be a highly successful one. Mr. R. WilLamson is expected to arrive in town on Thursday to complete all arrangements for the opening. The first production will be “Hamlet.”

The Wellington Comedy Company has decided to produce “Dr. Bill” in the Town Hall Concert Chamber in September, under the auspices of the New Zealand Natives’. Association. The comedy will be produced under the supervision of Mr. Charles Blake. This seems to be the season for the exhibition of big picture films. A fortnight ago we had the historical picture “Jane Shore,” last week we had the “French Fighting Front,” this week we have got “The Birth of a Nation” on exhibition, and the Town Hall has been booked for a short season for the screening of “The Divinity of Motherhood.” At the close of the Wellington season “The Divinity of Motherhood” will go on tour under the direction of Mr. Walter Monk.