AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13835, 22 February 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

MASIvELYNE AND DEYANT. These Mahatmas of mysteries and magic will at the Theatre Royal tomorrow evening, present a complete change of programme, which is so full of good things, that it promises to eclipse the previous one. One of the important illusions, Mrs Daffodil Downey's Seance, possesses an almost historical interest, since it was invented as an atttack upon the very man of Browning wrote in "Sludge the Medium." Maskelyne, then a young man, I set to work to invent a remarkable cabinet from which results were obtained far transcending those effected by Holmes. A public performance was given and the trickery was embodied in, a, satirical playette " Mrs Daffodil Downey's Seance."' The success of the clever gibe and cleverer illusion was instantaneous, for the dullest person was made to see how easily it was done, and how a conjurer can deceive the senses even under stringent conditions. Preraphael movement, so Mr Maskelyne's illusion at tlie Egyptian Hall, I London, checked the truly alarming craze for supernatural sham. Another amazing illusion is called Elixir Vitae, in which a decapitated man walks about the stage with his head under his arm. Mr Barclay Gammon, who has commanded great popularity already in Timaru, will present new items; Mr Owen Clark will Jiive a new series of sleight of hand and conjuring; anfct'M. Gintaro will be seen in new feats of top spinning and balancing. The return visit of the company to Timaru is likely to prove a pleasant experience since it fills perfectly the demand for refined and brilliant amusement. The box plan is at the Dresden.

ADA CROSSLEY. The box plan for the sale of reserved clress circle and stalls for Madame Ada G'rossley's concert nt the Theatre Royal on Friday next, February 26tli, opens at the Dresden at 9 o'clock this morning. There is every indication o there beinsr sis big a rush as there wai for "Humpty Dumpty," especially a: the charge for reserved seats is only us Everywhere where the greatest livin< contralto of the concert platform ha; appeared, the same verdict was give» spontaneously and unanimously,, viz. " That the Ada Crossley concert party is the finest all-round combination which has visited the Dominion." "VYc clip the following from an Auckland pa)w>r of February 18th, 1009 :—" H would have been a matter of absolute impossibility to cram more people intc the Choral Hall than was the case oil Friday, when Madame Ada Crossley and her fine concert company baric farewell to Auckland.'' And we fully expect to have to report the same pleasing fact after Friday's concert.