The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-13
keith's New Theatre.

II need not be thought, because Ching
Ling Foo. the Chinese magician, is so
important a headliner, that the rest of
this weeks entertainment at Keiths
New Theatre has been sighted. On the
contrary, the bill as a whole is one Of
the most pleasing seen there for a num-
ber OF weeks, i'm which there are at
least half n dozen emphatic HRS, and
not more than two acts to be classed
as mediocre; and the frequency and
heartiness- OF the laughter and ef4tau-
siastic plaudits heard yesterday left no
room for doubt of the more than enthu-
narily pleasing character of the whole
programme.
One OF the strik ng features OF Ching
Ling Foo's act is the apparent simplic-
ity of his tricks. In which he employs
no apparatus and has no table or chair
near him. using only an embroidered
cloth, perhaps four feet square, which
he proves beyond any doubt to have
nothing concealed in its folds and from
behind which he produces various bulky
articles, some of which he causes to
disappear in reverse manner. His list
of tricks is such that he gives no two
performances alike, so that yesterdays
views OF his work may be said to have
afforded only hints OF its possibilities
and evidence of his remarkable clever
ness. He produced no less than six diff
ferent large plates of cakes and bon
bons and a god-sized bowl of water at
his first appearance, and later large
vessel containing more than two pail
fulls OF water, and in such manner as
10 make the recent alleged exposure Of
his methods seem absolutely absurd,
rolling over on the stage in such way
as must nave broken any dish concealed
on his person. He also favored the
audience in the evening with his cele-
brated and somewhat sensational fire
trick. After filling his mouth with saw
dust until his cheeks bulged out he
blew large quantities OF smoke and
flashes OF fire from his mouth Just af-
ter drinking n glass OF water. Then he
drew from his mouth yards OF tissue
paper bbon. following this by spitting
out balls or fire; and. after throwing
the paper ribbon on the stage, he gave
a noisy finish to the trick by splitting
into the pile OF balls OF fire that ex-
pl0led like several packages OF fire.
crackers. Ching's manner Is rather en-
Eaging: and. aside from the unusual
nature OF his tricks, the absence OF the
constant flow of conversation with
which American conjurers accompany
their feats gives a decidedly novel turn
TO the act
The magician Is assisted by very
expert juggler. who also provokes sew
era laughs by his unexpected dis
charges OF English slang and his other
comedy work. The manner in which
he juggles with an immense earthen-
ware vessel that would hold at least
half n bushel s little short OF marvel
Gus. throwing 80 high I'm the air and
catching " upon his forehead. where he
balances Il in various positions. In
dee'. this juggler and the young son
of Ching. who also gives a most won-
derful exhibition OF juggling and ex-
cellcnt contortion work. are Ina their
linee quite as remarkable performers as
Is ching himself I'm his own field. The
boys plate spinning. while at the same
time he does mos& difficult contortion
feats. - the best ever seen here: and
he and the comedian sing n couple OF
Chinese songs 20 their own weird ac-
compartment. The magician's wife,
whose feet are but four inches in
ionVth. assists IN tho act; and their
li'fle Girl only three vears OF age. can
furei tfin hearts of the ladies by her
"cuteness' end her singing Of several
sonrs I'm English. At the conclusion of
tho act Ching Ling Foo was recalled
r~ain ard again 20 responi tn the en-
fhusiastic anriause that greeted the
marvellous v-ork not only of himself
fr,f of his ertire froupe.
The plondells offer one of the most
laughable Juvenile character sketches