The Land of Illusion

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7278, 4 October 1933, Page 10

The Land of Illusion

DANTE VISITS PALMERSTON NORTH TO-NIGHT. With his tons of equipment, Dante will appear at Palmerston North tonight and to-morrow and will present his bewildering mystical revue, “Sim-Sala-Bim,” when he will put Palmerston North audiences into tho land of illusion. At the early age of six, Dante came under tho influence of Indian fakirs. He was then on a visit to India with his parents, and of all the strange and splendid things ho witnessed in that country, that which fascinated him the most was the performance of a band of fakirs. The boy was invited to take part in its demonstrations, and his parents had to remove him by force, but they could not remove from his memory the marvels he Bad witnessed. Thus the seed was planted of an ambition to be the greatest magician and tho possessor of the best magic show in the world. Born in Denmark, Dante’s real name is Harry August Jansen. Australia and New Zealand were among the countries which the boy visited with his parents during their tour of the world when he was six. The family settled in New York, and when he was seven Alas ter Henry amazed his school fellows with a simplo trick of his own invention. Sinco then ho has delved more into the mystic arts than any other known magician, and has invented the most bewildering illusions yet seen. Dante will bo accompanied to Palmerston North with his big international company of 23 people, together with his flocks of geese, duoks, doves and! pigeons, also his dogs. These birds and animals have been threo times around the world, and aro considered tho most highly trained birds and animals on tho stago to-day. Tho box plans for Dante’s season are at tho Central Booking Agency, where seaf,3 may be reserved without any extra charge. Children will be admitted to both performances at half-price.