"THE DIGGERS"

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1926, Page 11

"THE DIGGERS"

BRIGHT SHOW AT OtERA HOUSE.

I'or those who do not believe in taking their pleasure too seriously and like it served tip with ?!ie minimum, of delay, Mr. G. P. Hanna's "Diggers," who made a reappearance at the Grand Opera House last evening, provided a very acceptable form of entertainment. Such an entertainment made good stage management essential, and on that score members of the large audience last evening had no cause for complaint. So well was the programme managed that the audience had scarcely recovered from one outburst of approval when its appetite was being whetted by some other choice item of foolery or some pleasing ballad. "The Diggers" are a product of the war, and in the items presented last night the atmosphere of the trenches was not altogether lackipg. -In the concluding sketch,, for instance, there was an excellent representation of what, no doubt, happened in every hospital m England during the dark days of the war, days, by the way, which were made lighter by that ever-present sense of humour in the average "digger." "Digger" language was spoken, and "digger" characteristics, including a propensity for lead-swinging, were featured. It was all cleverly done, and the sketch reflected credit on those who took'part—G. P. Hanna, Joe Valli, Chris. Kilner, Stan Lawson, Jock Thompson, Bert Gilbert, Iza Crossley, and Jim Foran. "Changed Glasses" in which Stan Lawson, Iza Crossley, and Joe ValU took part, "Armentieres," featuring Koßette Powell, ThelmaPittard, Stan Lawson, and Jim Foran, a one-word farce, Ah! ana "Too Late" were- other sketches whicn were admirably performed. In good voices the "Diggers" also proved themselves to be well endowed. Jock Thompson, a pleasing baritone, sang an old favourite in "'he Blue Dragoon." Master Brian Lawrence, the possessor of a .sweet, if not f powerful voice, scored a decided hit in "Mary of Argylle" and "Little Pink Rose." Soprano soli were contributed by Mißs Vera Carew, who would no doubt be more popular if she imparted a little moie feeling into her singing, and. with Jim Foran, a pleasing tenor, she sang the "Miserere" duet from. "II a% e- sr f male quartette, consisting of Messrs. Foran* Lawrence, Thomson, an* KUner, were billed to sing a. few Scottish airs, but the audience did not mind in «£ lea at when after a good rendering ot ie Bankß and Braes" and "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" tlfey branched out into "Last Night on the Back Porch." A good marionette specialty act »"WPided by G. P. Hanna and Bert Gilbert, he "put across" Borne items,^n, eluding a quaint rendering of A labal°V Safes £=ft*«? 3£ night arid following nights.