THE NEW DANDIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9719, 23 July 1917, Page 7

THE NEW DANDIES

A FINE COMBINATION. There was no uncertainty about the reception accorded to the in'cw Orange Dandies at the Town Hall concertohamoer on oaauuay night. Greeted by a full and overflowing audience this new combination—the New Eealaud management of which has been secured by Mr J. Hopkins by arrangement with -Ur Edward Branscombe —"made every post a winning post." Enthusiasm was excited at the start and was continued througnout thq programme to the finish. Every item was encored. Indeed there were several double recalls, but the entertainment was not unduly prolonged and everyone in the audience was delighted with this latest musical and XiOmcdy costume company. The members of the company excel on the musical side. Tho comedians arc all singers, and there is an exhilarating freshness about them which is exceedingly engaging. One of the most amusing musical extravaganzas yet put forward was "hook out for Kelly” at thq end of tho first part, in which snatches from well-known compositions were groitesquely but most successfully intermingled. A fine effect was secured where hr John Wcllby with his noble ba&s voice eloquently tolled out tho strains of "The Lost Chord” with his three male associates, giving imitations of 1 orchestral instruments. The operatic selection fiom "Carmen,” winding up with the “Toreador” song, was also a conspicuous success, a fine volume of harmonious tone rolling forth from tho five singers. All the concerted items indeed were particularly fine. Among the ladies. Miss Linda Bradford, who possesses a full mellow mezzo-so-prano voice, was especially admired in "The Bells of Twilight,” "Obstination,” "My Dear Soul,” and "Coming Homo.” Miss Dorothy Manning, a light soprano with facile executive power, was advantageously hoard in Gounod’s "Serenade," and the waltz song from “The Pirates of Penzance.” Conjointly these two ladies contributed tho popular

“barcarolle" from “The Tales of Hoffman." Miss Ivy Davies proved a very bright soubrette and immediately made herself popular by her treatment of “Santa Clans,’* a n d ‘‘Seein* Things.” She also • collaborated 'veil with Hr Courtney Ford. Hr Andrew, Pace indulged in delectable light comedy. The humour of Mr Henry Graham was in a broader vein. Mr John Wellby made a -particularly good impression in all bass song?. Probably the . most appreciated was "Gentlemen, The King!” Mr Philip Hardman officiated skilfully at the piano. The New Dandies are to be here for three weeks.'