"SCARLET TROUBADOURS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16950, 9 September 1918, Page 7

"SCARLET TROUBADOURS."

A new programme of music, monologues, sketches, and dances was presented by Mr. Edward Branscombe's " Scarlet Troubadours" at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday night. During the short period which has elapsed since the company opened its present season, it has achieved a high popularity among lovers of good music and humour, and never was success better deserved. The entertainment is light and refreshing, and free from anything vulgar, and the two and t-hal{ hours spent in the company of these versatile troubadours was a time of undiluted enjoyment, which slipped by without the slightest suspicion of ennui. The audience, which filled the chamber, manifested the warmest appreciation of the efforts of the company, and frequently double encores were demanded. " The Troubadours" are particularly strong in well-trained vocalists, and the singing, solo and concerted, was an outstanding feature of the entertainment. The fine tonal quality of Miss Lalla Ward's soprano voice was heard to good advantage in several selections new and old. Miss Madoline Knight, the contralto of the company, gave a finished rendering of a number of pretty songs, for which she received a floral tribute. Her voice blended admirably with Miss Ward's in two pretty duets. Mr. Ren. Millar's singing of "The Sands of the Desert" was received with enthusiastic applause, and his fine baritone voice was heard to advantage in a number of duets with Mr. Harrison, the tenor. Their rendering of "Ye Banks and Braes" was a particularly fine effort. Mr. Harrison quickly found favour with his finished singing of the brilliant tenor song, " Take a _ Fair of Sparkling Eyes." The vocal trios, quartets, and choruses were not'the least enjoyable of the musical items. Messrs. Pace, Black, Harrison and Millar made a great hit with a beautifully-har-monised medley of popular airs each per--ormer appearing in character. They were accorded a double encore. The dainty soubrette work of Miss. Ivy Davis was warmly applauded. She was at her best in " The Ghost of the Violin," and in the doll specialty with Mr. Courtney Ford. Miss Davis was rarely off the stage, and her vivacity and charm gave to the performance much of its brightness. Light fomedy and humour were dispensed in abundance by Messrs. Reg. Hawthorne, Courtney Ford, Andrew Pace, and George Livingstone. Many of the new monologues presented by the individual artists were most original and diverting. MissHilda McMtirtry and Mr. 'Hawthorne appeared in several well-executed eccentric dances. All the members of the company, appeared in a sailor scena comprisin? six items, and in an amusing melodrama barlesque entitled " The Midnight Mail." The Scarlet Troubadours" will appear again to-ni^ht.