MASKELYNE AND DEVANT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3150, 30 March 1909, Page 5

MASKELYNE AND DEVANT.

THE PRIME MINISTERS OF MYSTERIES.

There is something 1 about a mystery that is inherently alluring. When it is produced on the stage every eye in the audience is wide open, eager to detect the trick. Every movement of the illusionist is carefully considered, and the audience is on its guard. The people know they are ta be deceived, but they will not give up without a struggle at discovery. The illusionist knows what he is d^ing—at least he did at the opening of Messrs Maskelyne and Devant's Mysteries at the Town Hall last evening. Tbe audience were deceived as hundreds have been. Deceptibility sticks iri the mindwhen the audience has been beaten. The whole of the performance last evening was of a high order, and every item was well worth its place. There is a bright vein of humour running right through from beginning to end, and the audience laughs in spite of itself dometimes. Mr Owen Clark, a celebrated London conjurer, in a series of illusions, gave the audience striking evidence of his art. His performance was remarkable, and the "ways and means" were not in evidence at all. Mr Clark employs the services of a small boy from the audience in one of the illusions, and the audience is convulsed with laughter. The "St. Valentine's Eve" illusion is given clothed in "reality." Charles Burlingham, a retired gentleman, and Susan, his housekeeper, decide to burn a valentine in mid-air, because they have read that by doing so the object of former love is given to them. This is done, and the spirit Valentine, in all the attractions of such a character, appears. It is a variety of the "bux" trick." Mr W. ; Mayne makes an excellent fussy old gentleman, and Miss Florence Barclay is a typical housekeeper. Mr Barclay Gammon (and a piano), a laughing philosopher, is a law unto himself. He apologises profusely for j inflicting himself on the audience, J and then goes on to explain the piano he is using, which to him, he says, j looks more like a cheffonier than any-! thing else. He keeps the audience in fits of laughter, from start to finish, j His portrayal of a German lecturer was particularly good. The major! portion of the second half of the pro- J gramme was taken up with the ; famous illusory sketch, "Will, the Witch and the Watchman." There are several characters in this piece, and the whole is one of the greatest illusions which has been presented on ,the New Zealand stage. It is the famous box trick, made the most of. Daddy Guard, head of the watch, and Milles Money, an Irish watchman, put Will Constant, a sailor,-in the box, which stands about 6ft high and about Ift off the floor in the centre of the stage. Daddy Guard goes away leaving the prisoner in charge of Miles Money. Dolly, who is in love , with the prisoner, implores him to let her lover out. • The witch of the village soon appears on the scene and Dolly gives her a guinea the only one she has in the world to liberate the prisoner. The door is afterwards opened, but the box is found to be empty. All through the pieces two members of the audience were on ths stage to try and detect the working, but they did not see very much, although they looked a good deal. They found the attentions of the witch and the monkey somewhat embarrassing at times. There is great consternation, and Miles Mcney is in great fear. The box now becomes a centre of attention The monkey, which comes on to the stage, frightens Miles Money nearly out of his life, and after many amusing scenes Joe Killbull, a butcher, eventually catches th 3 monkey, and then he and Miles/who is now very Irave, put him iri a small box, tie it up in canvas and with ropes, and put it in the large box. Shortly after the box is opened, and is found to be empty, and the sailor appears back in the cabinet, and, of course, is restored to Dolly as the curtain falls. The whole is a remarkable performance, conducted in a most amusing way. Mr Fred Paul represented Daddy Guard to good effect, and Mr W. Mayne as Miles Money acted really well. Mr Alf Bert, as Joe Killbull, and also the Witch, Mr A. Booth, as Will Constant arid the monkey, and Miss Nina Westerleigh as Dolly, all well pleased the audience. Gintaro, the Japanese equilibrist, gave a marvellous display of dexterity, top spinning, and balancing. His skill amazes all, and the breath is taken away as he piles on articles on top of rickety balances. His top spinning was a fine exhibition of skill. The performance, there can be no doubt, is one of the best that baa been in Masterton for a considerable timw. TO-NIGHT. 'lo-night will be the last opportunity of seeing this world-famous company of entertainers, and all thuse desirous of having two hours of unique and mystifying enjoyment should not fail to attend. The box plan is on view at Miss Rive's, and patrons are advised to bcok seats early.