THE NEW DANDIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 3

THE NEW DANDIES

AN OVERFLOW PIEST NIGHT,

The New Dandies .equld not find enough room in the Concert Chamber'on Saturday evening for nil who wished to made their acquaintance, and no one regretted the fact more than themselves. The new organisation consists of a double quartet of very capable entertainers, who .know their business thoroughly. As with other companies of the kind, the entertainment is of the class t!-at is most frequently described . as astumc comedy, but is more correctly defined as polite vaudeville in tlds ease, as the company's strongest forte is undoubtedly vocal, and the term "costume, comedy" betrays no hint of music whatever. The Indy Dandies all sing well. Hiss Linda Bradford, a mezzo-contralto, with a full resonant; tone, well packed with sym. patby, became popular at once. Among other numbers she sang "A .Vat LiT Fellow," the unkillable "Coming Home" (well due for internment), which was remarkably well sung, and an Anglicised version of "Obstination," the very beautiful French song so admirably Ming here by Paul Dufault. Tho soprtno is Miss Dorothy Manning, who though somewhat edgy _in tone, has a light, f:-.cile, and pleasing voice, which found expression in Gounod's. "Serenade" and '"Poor "Wand'ring One" (from. "The Pirates of Penzance"). Together these ladies joined in what the public have elected to call "the" "Barcarolle," which, of many hundreds of "Barcarolles," happens to lie tho one from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann," and the old Venetian duet, "Stali, Stali." Miss iyy Davis, not unknown to Wellington audiences, is a smart, pleosing soubrette, who can sing and' recite with equal facility. Her "Santa. Glaus" song was delightful, and she improved her impression when she recited, with meaningful shrugs and shivers, the sketch "Seem* '"hings." I "With Mr. Courtney Ford she fooled amusingly in the second part. The Dandies possess a clever and finished performer in Mr. Andrew Pace, who re-in-troduced the patter song of the n-.an who wishes to match a yard of lace in a department store, and for an '.-ncore sang with subtle point and polish "I Beg Tour Pardon," another old favourite. 1 The best comedian of the combination is easily Mr. Harry Graham, who, with a ■good stock of natural humour, is also quick, jolly, and debonair. He orrived in a nonsense song, and created good fun. in character, in reciting "Sing a Song of Sixpence." Mr. Courtney i''ord is of the order eccentric, with a leaning to the obvious and theatrical in his stvle. He was amusing in the r.'rsical quip, "If I Strike the T< Out of Kelly" and in the 'Art and Nature" lilt that followed. .Tohn Welby makes up in bigness . of voice, vigour, and intelligence, what he may lack in musical quality. He was heard to best advantage in "His Majesty the King" and Frances Allitzen's "There's a Land," two songs which called for. robust''declamation. ■ It_ was really surprising to bear what a quintet of voices could get out of a. selection of chorus bits from "Carmen," which was the most' heartily-appreciated musical number of the .evening, and made one regret that Miss Manning wa.s not given clioral assistance in her Gilberfc-SnlKvan number. This style of "potted opera" should be continued. In the sreond Half Miss Bradford pleased in "My Dear Soul" and "Gather Ye Pnse'>>:<!s"; Mr. Graham chased care in "The ltngtime Postman" and "I Want Something to Practice On." "Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?" was tbe vmisi.inl basis of the funny finale'of the first part, and the diverting . "Musical llestnnraiii," which brought down the curtain, was also a pot pourri of well-known sones in a farcical setting. Mr. >Phillip Hard,bam made nn efficient accompanist and stage director.

For artistic . floral work ring 'Phone 2409, or write to Miss Poole. 70 Manneis Bfre"et. IVedtling bouquets, weaths, crosses, basket', etc.. executed in the choicest flowers in the latest ('((signs. Now rert<vy, beautiful boxes of fresh violets, packed for posting to any part of the Dominion, from 2s. upwards.—Advt.