Hamburg - The red carpet was rolled out in front of Europe's last remaining vaudeville variety theatre in Hamburg for a gala tribute Thursday to illusionists Siegfried and Roy, who were headliners there in the mid-1960s before skyrocketing to international fame in Las Vegas. Smiling and waving to photographers, the two stars were visibly moved by cheers and applause from onlookers as they arrived at Hamburg airport for Thursday night's public appearance in honor of the 45th anniversary of their 1964 gig at the Hansa Theater music- hall venue.
They exchanged quips in a salty waterfront German dialect with news crews upon arrival in the port city of Hamburg. As guests of a local newspaper, the two stars issued no other statement, pending publication of an exclusive interview with the paper on Friday.
Showing no signs of the fateful injuries suffered on an on-stage tiger attack in 2003, 65-year-old Roy Horn wore sunglasses and a black beret as he waved to fans and photographers. A powdergrey pin- striped jacket over a matching shirt highlighted black slacks and a long, light-grey woolen scarf.
At Roy's side, as always, Siegfried Fischbacher looked much younger than his 70 years in a natty black turtleneck and black suede jacket with matching very long woolen scarf which reached to his faded blue denim jeans.
They were whisked to an undisclosed hotel to freshen up for Thursday night's anniversary gala appearance at the Hansa Theater, which bills itself at Europe's last remaining vaudeville-style variety theatre.
It was there in 1964 that two young men in their 20s, calling themselves "Siegfried & Partner", performed magic tricks with a big cat. Old photos of that gig show Siegfried in a tuxedo and "Partner" Roy wearing what looked like e a modified bellhop outfit with brass buttons.
Glowing reviews and media interviews catapulted them to fame throughout the European stage entertainment scene. Performances across the continent, and a gig at theMoulin Rouge in Paris, served as a springboard to Las Vegas in 1970.
The rest, as they say, is showbiz history.
Much has changed since 1964. The Hansa Theater has fallen on hard times and, after being closed for several years, is now only open once or twice a year for special celebrity events, such as Thursday evening's gala appearance.
Ten bodyguards were standing by to flank the red carpet to restrain fans and the paparazzi when Siegfried and Roy arrived Thursday evening.
A special, hand-picked audience of some 500 high-profile guests were told in advance that the two Vegas illusionists would no
