ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2473, 12 April 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

A MARVELLOUS PERFORMANCE. Some hundreds of children, with not a few adults, assembled in Hfs Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday afternoon, on the occasion of the matinee of Maskelyne and Devanfc’s Mysteries. At the close of the entertainment old and youngdoubtless agreed that never in thenlives had they been more heartily amused or more completely mystified. Such was the opinion, also, of the numerous audience which witnessed the performance given in the Theatre on Saturday night. The performance of this company has the supreme merit of fulfilling what has been promised of it; the audience have no reason to complain that their expectations have been disappointed. The central feature of the programme, that which stands pre-eminent on account of its utter inexplicability, is Maskeiyne’s famous cabinet and box trick, here presented in connection with the farcical little play, “Will, the Witch and the Watchman.” It involves apparently absolute defiance of physical law, and it is, perhaps, as well that it is given in a comic setting, for the manner in which the properties of solid bodies are seemingly set at naught is positively uncanny. The remainder of the programme is not unworthy of this crowning mystery. Mr. Owen Clark is a prestidigitator of high order. His tricks and illusions, physical and mechanical, are admirable; Ids sleight of hand and his “patter” being alike excellent. The comic element is further supplied by Mr. Barclay Gammon, a mime and a musician of great ability - and originality. His contributions to the programme, while exquisitely funny, are absolutely devoid of the objectionable. While he was on the stage the audience were in fits of laughter, burit was honest, wholesome laughter; Mr. Gammon’s comicalities are those of a gentleman. As equilibrists Japanese jugglers are unexcelled, perhaps, unequalled, and M. Gmtaro is probably un surpassed by any of his compatriots, riis feats of balancing are as wonderful, in their way as Mr. Maskelyne’s illusions are in theirs, and the dexterity, grace, and bodily strength displayed in his performance are worthy of the highest praise. A word of praise, also, is due to the ladies and gentlemen who sustain the various subordinate rolesin the programme for the able manner in which they support the principals. To-night there is to be a change of programme, and two more of Maskelyne’s inexplicable illusions will be introduced. In the first of these, known as “Elixir Vitae,” a man is apparently deprived of his head, which is placed on a table. The decapitated trunk recovers the head, and walks off with it under its arm. In the second illusion, all the “manifestations” of a spiritualistic sceance are produced. “Spirits” are materialised from a cabinet which is made of simple pieces of board, and which it appears impossible lor any person to enter unobserved. Other phenomena, equally mystifying,are produced. The illusions, it may be noted, are those with ihe aid of which Mr. Maskelyne gained fame by confounding certain spiritualistic mediums,, producing the effects which they claimed to have been due to supernatural agency. Mr. Owen Clark. Mr. Barclay Gammon and M. Gintaro will introduce new and very interesting-business. Tim season i.s to close to-morrow night. Should the weather be. wet a matinee wiA be given at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Children will be admitted for one shilling each.