AMUSEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 558, 12 April 1913, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

r . THE MERRYMAKERS

The Merriraakera specialty company opened at Te Kuiti last night to a very fair audience. The star performer of the company was undoubtedly the mysterious D'Almaine, who impressed the audience with his conjuring, and an exhibition of his hypnotic powers. The manner in which he handled his subjects and the antics of those who were brave enough to submit themselves to the influence of the hypnotist reduced the house to unrestrained mirth. Puring the evening D'Almaine sent a subject into a hypnotic sleep and the sleeper is to-day to be seen in a shop window adjoining Mr Allison's premises in Rora street. The sleeper is to be removed to the hall to-night and awakened at the opening of the performance. Other turns presented by the company include a laughable eketch by Collins and Clarke; a musical act by Sharp and Flat; Phyllis Cremer, comedienne; and Pip Evans, comedy artist; while Fred Carlson as a balladist is well worth hearing. The company openß again at the hall to night, when further evidence of D'Almaine's extraordinary powers will be placed before the audience.

EMPRESS THEATRE. To-night in addition to the star film "The Leap to Death."will be screened "A Substitute Heiress." Arnold Winchester, a broker, invites James Stillman, a young millionaire, to spend a few days at his country home. A few minutes later he receives a telegram which forces him to take a trip, and he sends Stillman to his home alone. Winchester wires his daughter, Emily, to entertain the guest, She, however, is jußt on the point of taking an auto trip with her fiancee and a party of friends. To get out of the dilemma, she dresses her pretty maid up in some of her clothes ] and tells her to play the hoßtess. Stillman arrive? and meets Ruth, who is now supposed to be Miss Winchester, and be and the girl fall in love. The visit being ended, Stillman receives an invitation to Emily's wedding which he attends, and is supprised to see that the bride is not the girl he has met. Explanations follow, and he rushes back to Winchester's home and joyfully claims the maid, Ruth, who is equally happy. The remainder of the programme is of the usual first class order, and patrons can rely on an enjoyable evening.