1038
Writing on the performance of the 20th Century Projectoscopic Company at the City Hall on the night of October 14, 1902, the Hongkong Telegraph of October 15, of that year, wrote as follows:
The 20th Century Projectoscopic Company, armed with Edison's latest, gave an interesting performance last night at the City Hall, but owing to the operator of the camera being ill and an incompetent substitute working the machine, there were several slight hitches during the display. "We hear the operator is now well and a successful performance may be looked for to-night.
The entertainment commenced with the great passion play at Oberammergau, consisting of moving pictures depicting the life of Christ. Following this was a fine variety of moving pictures, including scenes of the Spanish-American war. Then Alva, the King of Coins, presented a few of his original novelties of coin, card and billiard ball manipulations. He proceeded by rolling up his shirt sleeves, and then manufactured billiard balls apparently out of air while holding his hands out at arm's length. Later when he turned three coloured handkerchiefs into the "Union Jack" there was loud applause only beaten when he gave his greatest trick known as "the beggar's dream". Part three consisted of ten scenes in the Coronation procession, several of which showed the Colonial troops, including the Hongkong Regiment and Chinese Sappers. Good views of the King's carriage passing down the Strand, the Prince and Princess of Wales in their carriage, and busy London on the day after the Coronation were displayed. Selections by Mr. D. Francis were well rendered.
32
Pinao