AMUSEMENTS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12476, 1 March 1909, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

MASKELYNE AND DEVANT'S . .MYSTERIES. Maskelyne and Devant's Company, direct from England, will present those great illusions so long associated with the Egyptian Hall, London, at the Theatre • Royal, commencing next Friday. The enquiry has been, made, "Is this the real Maskelyne and Cook ? The same" people who, thirty years ago in London, used to show a man walking about with his head under his arm, and ghosts emerging from cabinets?" The reply is. "Yes, the same firm^ touring outside the Homeland for the first time." This important venture is due to the" enterprise of Mr Henry. Hay ward, an entrepreneur, who was associate manager of West's Pictures. The magnitude of the undertaking necessitat-ed-the importation of 26 illusionists, actors, actresses, jugglersj-and "conjurors, and seven tons of stage fit-^ tingsand tricks, many of them precious secrets. The company specially trained by him met with marked success during their recent Sydney season. "Will, the Witch, and the Watchman" introduces perhaps the inventor's, cleverest trie. " A cabinet will be watched by a committee, chosen form among their number by the audience, who may crawl under its legs, walk round or sit on top of it, whilst the characters and the huge ape in the merry musical play . disappear in and; out of it with bewilding ease. This startling mystery and the romance play, "St.^Valentine's Eve," in which a real fairy lady formed out of the empty air holds place of honour in- a programme which., is rendered yet more remarkable by the appearance of the three grekt specialists. 'Mr- ' Barclay G ammoft' s philosophic merular musical monologuists of the da^; Gintaro,. a brilliant Japanese juggler ; and Mr Owen Clark, conjuror. MiBarclay Gammon' s philossophic merriment,- Mr Owen ClarkSs fascinating illusions, together with Mr Gintaro' s wonderful Japanese act, constitute a programme it would be difficult to surpass. The .Box Plan is at Jackson's. . ' -•'■ " >'.'-.