AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Issue LVII, 1 March 1926, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THE DIGGERS. It is a long , time since the war and lta ; ug-liness was before the public. It seems : that it Mill be a long time before it is to he rorfrotten. and Hie reappearance of Pat Ilanna's Diapers, which opened a season of six nig-hts at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday riig-ht. recalls the Tact that amid all its terrors the indomitahle spirit of the soldier could not be quenched, and that lie made light of the fireatest hardships. That memory goes much toward? making , tilt) iiig-g-ers' reappearance welcome, and the very larsre attendance seemed to relish the. decidedly tllffb class entertainment offered. One extremely pleasing: feature was that Ktan Lawi-.on has at last discarded thti feminine attire. There are a number or newcomers In the east, and Brian Lawrence made a distinct impression by his'delightful sing-iiiK and pleasing- stage personality. The oilpmal Ptgsrcrs are in full complement, !>ut there is now a ballet of ladies who combine to make the company Tar superior 10 what it once was. Clever one-act farces, combined and solo elToris in song , , and topical skits, Interspersed With much jrond humour, constitutes a programme o!" events, and such a thing- as a dull moment is never thoupht of. The 1 entire company reintroduce themselves ; with a rulllcking- chorus, sung- with the grand dome of the Dunedin Exhibition as the stage setting-. Iza Crosslev was well received for her simrins: of " Jazzinß - ," a song- or the day. in which she \.as assisted liy the ballet. A comedy interlude, with Joe Vain, Stan Lawson, and Jim Poran, pave the audience its llrst lauffh. G. P. Ilanna and Bert Gilbert presented a most original topical marionette speciality. With usual marionette senintr, and sailors' garb j attached to their necks, these two disI pensed much humour to the tune or "nallag-ber and Sheen," concluding , each verse with a very funny ilg-ure dance. Jock Thompson made a distinct impression with his sinpinsr or " The Blue Drapoon. ,, ! a number which suited to perfection his i resonant baritone. More could have been 1 heard or Mr. Thompson, the quality or ; whose voice is not heard every day. Vera i Carew sansr rleligrhtfully. a happy melody, ; " Harlequin," and responded to insistent i applause with a dreamy lullaby, " Babe of I Mine." She later sang the Miserere scena ; from "II Trovatore " with Jim Foran, a I number that must rank as the best vocal ! offering , of the nig-ht. Jim Foran also used his pleasing- tenor to advantage In the solo of a sketch, " Mademoiselle From Armen- ! tieres." A. newcomer who won instant 1 approbation was Brian Lawrence, whose sing-ing was or a quality that was excep- , ttonal. His first number was " Don't Bring- Lulu," but it was not until he rendered " Mary of Arg-yle" that the true ■ beauty or tiis voice became apparent. Hβ ! responded with " Little Pink Rose," and a I clamorous audience had to be content with i that. The Diggers Quartet harmonised I admirably in two numbers. G. P. Hanna ' was responsible Tor a decidedly clever , i military sketch that savoured of Trentham ' during the war. A rarce, " Changed ■ Glasses," with. Iza Crossley, Stan Lawson, and Joe Valli, raised many laughs, and was cleverly executed. The finest concerted offering , of the night was the last sketch, : "Chic and Joe in Hospital." Joe Valli and r>. P. Hanna provide the major portion of the fun. and are ably assisted by Jock Thompson, Stan Lawson, Chris Kllner, Bert Gilbert, and Iza Crossley. This was a most original and clever farce based on the efforts of two New Zealanders to get back to New Zealand rrom an English hospital It was amusing from start to linish. Several other skits were presented, and were , well up to the standard, and provided ample amusement. Roy Brlnsden. of the . orchestra, was well placed In solo efforts ]on musical instruments. The Dig-g-ers present a rpally excellent entertainment ■ and it will he repeated until the change of j programme on Wednesday. FULLERS' OPERA HOUSE. k The Moon and Morris revue company . are enjoying a very successful season at . the Opera House, and this week it is said that their revue is still better and brighter than ever. Full of good clean and witty 3 comedy, it is one long- laugh, and the r song-s and dances are all up to the date. , i The principal comedians are Ed. Warring- [ ton and Moon and Morris, and when these - three get going the hou=e in an uproar or j j mirth. The vaudeville section or the pror I gramme will see the first appearance of ■ ! \Vfndling - and Molloy, two very versatile I \ young- peoplp, who sins - and tell stories - and play different instruments. Queen and ' David Kaill, Morris and Cowley, and Sam j Stern, will all be heard and seen in new r acts. DIXIELAND CABARET. r There will be quite a Hawaiian . atmosphere at Dixieland Cabaret this evenI ing, when the management will present [" A Night in Honolulu." Miss Lilliokalanl ; will dance the original Hawaiian Hum She t i will be accompanied by a real Hawaiian troupe. Dancing will commence at 830 - p.m.. and will proceed until 2am Special . j numbers will tie played by the Internationals.