MASKELYNE AND DEVANT’S MYSTERIES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9423, 20 April 1909, Page 5

MASKELYNE AND DEVANT’S MYSTERIES.

The Maskelyne and Devant Mysteries will be shown in Marton on Saturday, April 24th. It should be pointed out that Maskelyne and Devant are the original Maskelyne and Cooke, of the Egyptian and St. George’s Halls, London, the firm having adopted the name of the newly-inoluded junior partner on the death of Mr Cooke several years ago. The personality of John Neville Maskelyne is one that is already well-known. His inventions, his partnership with Mr Henry Labouohere, M.P., their campaign and famous lawsuit against spiritualistic mediums, have kept him constantly before the public. He is a descendant of the famous astronomer, Nevil Maskelyne, who founded the “Nautical Almanac,’’ and who is chiefly remembered through his experiments with apparatus for determining the density of the earth. Probably he inherited the scientific temperament of his ancestors, for whilst a watchmaker he invented a remarkable cabinet (which is used in the magical sketch, “Will, The Witch, and The Watchman”) and which, when exposing the Davenpoirt Brothers, he used to initiate the effects they declared were supernatural. For 40 years the headquarters of the “grand old man” of magic have been the workshops whence have .originated ail those illusions displayed by modern conjurors, and where usually the entertainer of the-present day goes to learn his work. Never before, however, has his own staff gone outside Great Britain, and the appearance of the original company in Marton is likely to prove a pleasant experience, since it fills the demand for refined and brilliant amusement.