"THE WANDERERS."

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 139, 13 June 1911, Page 2

"THE WANDERERS."

COMEDY COSTUME COMPANY.

Mr. . George Stephenson's Musical Comedy Costume Company, "The Wanderers," opened a short season at His Majesty's Theatre last evening to a very /air audience, considering the adverse weather conditions. The entertainment submitted is essentially of the drawing-room variety, and is in many respects reminiscent of other similar combinations that have visited us, the half score of ladies and gentlemen who comprise the company contriving to present a programme that was always bright, and occasionally sparkled. The various turns were all pleasing in their order, and in the refinement of their presentation arec alculated to appeal to the most exigent of patrons, while the items include a large number of vocal, humorous and elocutionary favourites that have many times found the plaudits of Auckland audiences, providing an attractive disperser of dull care on any night of the present week. The opening chorus is a quaint and tuneful bow to the audience by b_e members, of whom Mr. J. Leith Harvey leads the way with a pleasant tenor. Miss Ruby Guest, both as mandoliniste and duologuists, captivates her witnesses with her piquant personality and clever work in the lighter vein, and, with Mr. Leslie Holmes, is responsible for no small amount of diversion. Mr. Holmes, whose comedy business is at once excellent nonsense and healthy, was, in fact, the lion of the house, which was loth to part with him. Miss Everill Haggie, with tho help of a tuneful mezzo voice and a personal daintiness, contributed considerably in the shape of vocal sketches, while Miss Beatrice Mercer's full round contralto produced wleU-mririted -founds of applause. Mr. George "Winstanley is a phenomenon in the shape of a male soprano, in addition to /possessing a natural baritone, and in Cowan's wellknown song, 'The Swallows," gave an astonishing rendering in a voice that bad the calibre of a lady's soprano that has just passed its purest days— without a suspicion of the falsetto. Mi_g Phyllis Hopwood-Foldi contributed a number of monologue, grave and gay, her elocution and accompaniment beinf well nigh perfect. Miss Madeline Feme sang Perm's "Carissima" acceptably, and Mr. J. Denis Keenan helped along with a baritone of musical genre. The programme, which was varied, and contained many whimsical features, concluded with a comedietta.