The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (November 1901)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 89 saturated with a solution of sulpho-cyanide of potassium. Pick up the trick knife, and place it on the victim’s nose; make believe you are cutting it, and it will appear to the audience as if the knife has gone clean through the nose. While this is being done, pick up (unobserved, of course) the sponge, gently squeeze it so that the solution falls on the plate, which will become blood red. This, if properly acted, is very effective. Bear in mind that sulphocyanide of potassium is a poison. When the district one purposes working has been selected, look up—for a start—two dozen villages, and post two weeks before your visit one dozen bills to the landlord of the village inn, ask him to have them posted up, and enclose a shilling in stamps or P.O. for the purpose. The bills should be attractive, something after the style displayed by itinerant circuses, and the wording somewhat as follows: A SPLENDID PICTORIAL EXHIBITION Wriy Visit THis PartsH SHORTLY. FOR ONE NIGHT ONDZTY. The Entertainment will consist of a large number of LIMELIGHT PICTURES, EMBRACING Locan Scungsry, Humorous Srortes snp Picrores. COME AND SEE THE BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES Concluding with a Laughable Skit, NOSE CUTTING EXTRAORDINARY. ComE and Seg it. You writ Laven. The Entertainment will last one hour. Exhibitions at 5, 6.30, and 8 o’clock. ADMISSION ONE PENNY, Bring your own chairs or stools if you wish to sit. STANDING ROOM ONLY. The price of admission is low, but one cannot expect schoolroom prices in a tent giving one hour’s show, and if the 5 o’clock show is good, it will advertise itself for the evening performance. Quite £2 should be taken in pennies nightly. It is no great trouble to get a pitch in a village, free of any charge; most villages have a green which can be had for the asking, failing this a farmer will lend a meadow generally free of any charge, they are not grasping and | of the halls. narrow-minded, but recognise the fact that we must all live. The news of your arrival will soon travel through the village, and to make your presence better known go all over the parish, ring a bell town-crier fashion, and announce what is going to take place. With the aid of a strong local man fix up the tent before proceeding on this journey, and leave him to mount guard over it, otherwise during your absence curiosity will tempt the inquisitive inside, and from want of thought a lot of damage might be done. Music Hatu SxHows. Those who have a desire to go in for this class of show will have to give something very much out of the usual rut of the shows at present in force in order to capture the appreciation of the public. It is puzzling to know in these days what will catch on, but sometimes the most simple thing will be an instantaneous success. It is astonishing how soon music hall audiences tire of novelties, therefore it is wise when one has struck oil to make the most of it. Music hall managers will welcome with open arms anything novel and original, for if success | ful it means big receipts, and big receipts mean big dividends for the shareholders. Those unacquainted with the music hall business, and who are eager to adopt it as a means of livelihood, would possibly like to know how to go about getting an introduction to it. When the show has been chosen and worked up so that no hitch will occur, write to the manager of one of the best London halls (for | example, Mr. Charles Morton, of the Palace), ' and enclose a synopsis of the show with a courteous note, asking if you may give a turn one afternoon or evening. Should the. reply be in the affirmative, don’t funk when the time comes for your appearance. Go atitas if you meant to win, for your success in London will possibly depend on this one turn. The audience will soon give the verdict, the management is guided by it, and should it be in the showman’s favour success is assured. An engagement will follow with a big screw tacked on. Should the audience not be carried away by your efforts, don’t despair, but write to other London halls; failing which, then communicate with the managers of the best provincial halls. About £4 weekly should be the average provincial salary. Consult the Hra newspaper for a list Would-be aspirants must not be chicken-hearted ; boldness of manner and the will to overcome difficulties are the things needful for success in this calling.