THE ROYAL STROLLERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2753, 24 April 1916, Page 3

THE ROYAL STROLLERS

AN EXCELLENT COMBINATION. The comparative deartli of good shows that has been experienced in New Zealand for 6omo time past ensured the Royal Strollers a royal welcome to the Grand Upera House on Saturday even- j ing. Long before the entertainment commenced the house was packed, and eight o'clock . found standing room at a Dreuiium. The entertainment presented by tlie Strollers is of thp costume comedy-cum-concert order, which has been made fairly familiar to the public during the past ten years, but in tho newest' combination one is permitted to 6ee it at its best. In the first instance, each of the half dozen members is a capable performer—there are no "chair warmers." All stiffness is eliminated by tho apparent freedom of action'allowed, theymembers of the company, who, apparelled as mediaeval troubadours, disport themselves under the greenwood tree outside the "Strollers' Rest." In their motley garb both the ladies and gentlemen of tho company form part of a very pretty .picture, which, by the way, is sustained right through the programme.. The talent of the Strollers is as rich as it is varied. In Mr. Sydney James, who heads" the bil, the company has a performer of very extraordinary capacity. Mr. James, who would make a. very handsome Orlando, pays his addresses to comedy rather thaii romance. He chortles along the' tenor line a little in the concerted-music, but it is as a singer of clever ~ comic songs, and more particularly as a humorous ventriloquist, that he makes his mark. His humour is always clean and wholesome, aud in the greater number of instances is subtle, but never too much so for all sections of his audience. His seance with "Billy," his garrulous dummy, was a scrc-am from beginning to end, and the interchanges were so rapid and natural that one quickly became used to the dual personalities presented. by Mr. James as two distinct people, which is the best compliment one can pay the artist. Nothing quite eo finished or amusing in- this lino has been seen here. Mr. James 1 also made a laughing hit in describing "Songs and Singers," and "The Motion of the Hand," in which he showed _6omo nice character touches. His 'Mince Pips" commenced as a plain pie of confectionery, but worked its. way through a. variety of interpretations, finally emerging as an oratorio, with Mr. James as a Charley Chaplinesque conductor, and "Zimmy," the drummer, as the star performer. Though it is not stressed, the company is a sound one vocally, and individually and collectively proved it.' One- of the cleverest skits of the evening was singing of "Three Blind Mice" as Handel, Liszt, and Tschaikovsky might have written it. The Handelian effort was capital, and the fun of hearing the 'old catch being sung through the clamour of "1812" wqs immense. Veritably aflame with talent is Miss Madeline Rossiter, a bizarre brunette, who has a pretty little 6oprano voice, plays the piano and violin with facility, and. is a dancer of,very special capacity. Tall and slim, with flashing black '(. es i Miss Rossiter - wants an "Arabian Nights setting to her many graces. She dances-;with a lissome grace ? a P a s don is. good to see—hands, legs, body, and facial expression being part of the whole, air in perfect rhythm, and enhanced by a well-defined personal magnetism. Miss Rossiter sang "Laughing Lyes charmingly, and was a real coon m Belinda's Wedding Day.". She was also good in the little bits of actinr and vocal foolery that fell to her lot. Airother clever girl is Miss Gwen Lewis, who is tho brightest singer at the piano we have heard since Margaret Cooper. Miss Lewis has intelligence and a rare sense of humour,.which were both proln th ?.,P r ?£ y fion &> " Bab >' Eon," and the gay lilt "On the Prom." Miss Connie Milne, an old favourite, is as | fresh and pleasing as ever, and her smart acting and attractive singing were a big aid to the show. Miss Milne was particularly appealing in "Kockin<r the Baby to Sleep, a bit of mock drama incidental to Mince Pies." Mr. George Grnystono, who was' liere with the Court Oards. is. an entertaining basso.--who his new siting. The setting of The leomen of England" that he used on Saturday was too low to produce tlie best that is in the song, and tho Devonshire love song which followed was much the better item, though probably .few could gather what the singer was at. Mr. (j. W.-Desmond is a bre»zy singerdancer, and character . comedian of undeniable talent. Tho entertainment concluded with an extreme.lv comical skit on the picture .show. both the audience and the picture in progress'being cleverly burlesnued. A capable little orchestra plaved .well under the direction of Mr. Arthur Frnst.

There will be a matinee performance to-day, commencing at 2.30 p.m. The' box plan for this and to-morroiv evening's performances may'be tcer. f.tyt-Bi Grand. .Opera Hottse to-day.