TURNED AWAY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 February 1920, Page 3

TURNED AWAY.

TOWN HALL PACKED. DIGOERS RETURN VISIT. . “Isn’t it annoying, we can’t get in,” was the remark, passed by qhito a number of people about ten minutes before eight last evening. 'The occasion was a return visit of the Diggers to the Town Hall, Greymouth and the fact that the spacious hall was packed to its uttermost limits is a testimony to the fact that this versatile troupe literally “caught on” in the entertainment world so far as Greymouth is concerned. The Diggers appealed for support on their morns as performers not on 'what they had done as soldiers, and they need never doubt so long as they “do their bit” as they did last evening that they will have bumper houses wherever they go. An entirely new programme was submitted last evening. After the overture “Maid of the Mountains” so ably rendered by an orchestra of real ability,

the opening chorus “Heigh ho” was followed by “Raggin thro’ the Rye” featuring Stan Lawson, the inimitable female impersonator. This artiste is “out on his own” in this line. Messrs Tano Faina and Stan Lawson were loudly applauded for their humorous duet* “Rhymes” but one of the chief hits of the evening was the singing of “Dear Little Shamrock” by Messrs Extern, Proctor, Perkins and Simpson. This quartette is really magnificent and their encore number “Rock of Ages” was also splendidly received. As The drunkard “coming homo” by P. Hanna would be hard to beat—in fact it is doubtful if he (like Stan Lawson) has an equal in the whole world of vaudeville. Judging by bis perfor-

manco last evening one would doubt it. His charcoal sketches, particularly that of Mr. Tom Pollard, were also first rate. Tauo Earn a and Stan Lawson kept the audience rocking with laughter in the burlesque ‘Hypnotic seance.' “I have a man’s arm in my hand. Now which arm is it ?” asked the “hypnotist” to which the lady replied, ‘‘The right.” “Wrong,” was the response, “now tell me which one it is?” “The left,” “Isn’t she wonderful!’’ exclaimed the hypnotist. The ragtime number “I want to go back” by Gus Dawson was much appreciated whilst the concluding number of the first half “he Presbyterian Cat,” .a burlesque glee party effort in which P. Hanna (as the minister) and company participated. As the Presbyterian minister Hanna is a wonder, but unfortunately there were 100 many on the stage last evening and this rather

seemed to spoil the effect of the satirical touches. Hanna was much better iu the single number in which he gives a “sermon.” The preliminary “bombardment'’ by the orchestra in the second half was a “turn” worth while going to hear, apart from the other items on the pro-

gramme. George Proctor in “Heart of a Rose” was at his best and was deservedly on cored. The burlesque melodrama “More sinned against than necessary” by Stan Lawson and Tano Faina was really good. Roy Simpson gave an over welcome rendering of ‘ The Company Sorgt. Major.” ' The “Potted revue “What next” was the concluding item on the programme. It was essentially one in which individual artists could display their ability but one cannot but suggest, that a repetition of the “Leave train” might have been preferable. Last night’s effort was rather too fragmentary. Nevertheless judging by Hie round after round of applause which greeted the performance it was undoubtedly a great success. In fact the. whole programme. was a succession of splendid “turns” by really talented artists, a visit from whom will always bo welcome.