Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-01
AMUSE EMENTS.
Magic at the Grand-Si Plunkard at the
Los Angeles.

Los Angeles.
Magic at The Grand. The great and
only Hermann performed his wonders
last night to large and appreciative
audience. 1t is not too much praise to
call him the greatest wizard living. He
does his tricks of prestidigitation with
a grace all his own, and with a con-
summate skill that his rivals may envy
but which they cannot hope to approach.
His repertory has been greatly extended
since his last visit to Los Angeles. His
own feats OF sleight of hand are inimit-
able for their finesse and cleverness, and
he has added absolutely fascinating fea-
lures to his entertainment. His varia-
tions on the New Black Art, in which
Madame Hermann plays the principal
part, are triumphs of illusion. On a
darkened stage feats of startling vivid
ness are performed that show to what a
nicely mechanism accompanied by deft
manipulation can be brought. The
effects of this scene are novel and beau
tiful, and it would be impossible to i'm
agine more weird and sensational
results from a setting OF prosce-
mum lights, a darkened stage and
deft and skillful artists. Perhaps
the most notable feature of the
whole evening was the episode of Stro-
beika. The story is of the rescue of a
Russian prisoner by his lady love. This
marvel is performed with the aid of
tent and board. The latter is provided
with shackles OF the most approved pat
tern, with spring locks of the latest sty lie
firmly fastened to it. Two gentlemen
from the audience are ON hand to stand
behind the tent and see that there is no
'shenanigan" from that quarter. They
also bind the prisoner, and the board is
swung on the ropes that depend from the
top of the tent-to all appearances an
ordinary tent. The curtains are then
let down and, after brief interval, they
are raised again, and 10 and behold the
robust young Russian officer is replaced
by Strobeika, in the person of the charm
ing Madame Hermann, securely shack
led, and the prisoner himself appears on
the stage from amidst the audience.
The episode is unique and artistic in the
extreme.
This show is Incompatible OF its kind.
1t holds the boards tonight. Everybody
ought to see it, and the young ones also
ought not to be denied this rare pleasure.
ST PLUNKARD AT THE LOS ANGELES.
81 Plunkard is beyond criticism. 1t
is one of those creations of today which
defy all rules of construction, all prin-
ciples of art, and several other things
which one not familiar with stage pro-
ductions would deem absolutely essen
tial to success; and yet it 'cau. hit on"
with the gods, and with some of the
dress circle patrons.
There is a whole lot of horse play
about 81 Plunkard, and another whole
lot of the time-honored villain in pur-
suit business, and a grand triumph of
virtue at the end of each act. Mixed in
is an occasional-semi-occ ional, in
fact-gleam of good character work, and
some fair specialties. The best of the
latter are given by w. M. Milligan as
Felix Schmart. His dance in sabots is
novel and excellent. Miss Phoebe Wise
plays Dora, the farmers daughter, with
considerable sweetness, and fortunately
makes no great attempt at acting. Mr..
j. G. Lewis, the 81 Plunkard, does
great amount of hard work.
The performance last evening was
found most enjoyable, judging by the
applause and recalls, and the judgment
so rendered is probably much more i'm
portant to the performers than any crit
icism.
The play will be on the rest of the
week.
KAJANKA.
Miller Brothers spectacle will be pre-
sented at the Grand opera house Tues
day evening and during the entire week
with Saturday matinee. The company
comes direct from New York Citv
where Kajanka has enjoyed profitable
season. OF the cast Miss Nellie Sennet,
a new European importation, has
achieved signal success as Beelzebub.
Bessie Fairbain will be seen as Electra,
the good fairy. Mr.. Joseph Allen
creates much merriment as the high
priest of Jains. Robert Broderick, for
merly leading baritone of the Abbott
company, will essay the part of High
Priest of Brahm.
Don't Throw Up the Sponge!
That hideous ogre, Giant Despair often fas-
tens his clutch upon the chronic invalid. Con-