THE GREAT M'EWEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18157, 31 January 1921, Page 6

THE GREAT M'EWEN

On Wednesday evening, at His Majesty s Theatre, the Great M'Ewen will present a unique entertainment, including demonstrations of mesmerism, auto-suggestion, magic, sleight-of-hand, interspersed with humorous recitals in which' the pawky wit of the Scotch predominates. As a mesmerist the Great M'Ewen will introduce a senes of experiments which are claimed to be both interesting'and amazing, and in many cases highly amusing. It is generally supposed that a mesmerist or hypnotist can, against the will of the subject, put the latter under control, but the Great M'Ewen states emphatically that this is not correct, and insists that the subject must be in sympathy with the demonstrator, have faith in mesmerism, and accept willingly auto-suggestion, otherwise success cannot be achieved, and from the medical point of view no benefit can be obtained if these conditions are not fulfilled, proving a good, sound brain makes the best subject because it is able to induce self-pacifity and harmonv of mutual concentration. These are the days of miracles, and feats axe accomplished which a few decades ago would have been oonsidered impossible, and their attempt ridiculed, and this applies to mesmerism; it has been, and’is still, unfortunately sneered at by those who have taken no trouble to investigate and study it, but these disbelievers are almost now in the minority, and the demonstrations to be presented by the Great M'Ewen will prove to the doubters that mesmerism is a scientific fact. Theatregoers must not regard M'Ewen’s appearances as a series of lectures illustrated by experiment. It is an entertainment, and the Great M'Ewen an entertainer of great versatility, and it is claimed for his entertainment that there are more laughs to the hour than the minute hand of the clock can show. Students of the occult will find much food for reflection, amusement seekers will find no lack of good fare, and even the most captious critics will admit the Great M'Ewen is a most extraordinary, interesting, amusing, and entertaining man, , and his visit to Dunedin will bo greatly appreciated. The season is but a brief one, and the box plans of reserved seats are now on view at the Bristol.

Several members of the theatrical profession, including Mr Graham Browne and Miss Marie Tempest, and a number of citizens were invited to a private performance during the week-end to test the entertaining and mystic power of the Great M'Ewen. Special facilities were given to investigate in the closest possible way_ many of his demonstrations, including various card tricks and the hypnotic and higher of his profession. After the closest investigation the very critical audience expressed itself as satisfied with the power and artistry of the performer, who was warmly applauded and thanked after an entertainment which lasted over an hour.