THE DIGGERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 15

THE DIGGERS

SEASON AT ST. JAMES Last evening Pat Hanna and his “Diggers,” in pleasing song, dance and comedy numbers, again scored a big triumph at the St. James Theatre. The “Diggers” feature more vocal music than the usual revue company, and their unusLial variety and novelty is possibly the keynote to their success. Seldom indeed is Auckland favoured with a rev Lie company featuring such good vocal talent. Miss Adele Taylor and Miss Iza Ci*ossley both have pleasing voices and show excellent judgment in their choice of songs. Miss Taylor’s light soprano voice was exceptionally pleasing. With Miss Hilda Meadows and Miss Jessie Meadows, Miss Taylor and Miss Crossley combined most effectively in a quartet, rendering several popular songs. Mr. Jock Thomson’s rousing baritone was also popular. Possibly the star item of the evening was a turn, “Musical Memories,” which wa.s favoured with the vocal resources of the entire company. From (l gigantic music album characters appeared, representing in costume and song the music hall songs of a genei'ation ago. From the front page stepped out a well-known figure from “The Mikado,” who sang “The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring,” and so came other well-known characters. The audience was delighted with excedpts from “Sa.lly,” “The Arcadians,” “Rose Marie,” “Mother* Goose,” “Little Miss Hook of Holland,” “Wildllower” and “Carmen.” An outstanding turn was the histoi'ical feature, “The Landing of Captain Cook.” The famous navigator and some of his henchmen were seen parleying with natives on his landing in New Zealand. From there the audience was taken to a New Zealand waterfront scene where the navigator’s statue was conspicuous. A schoolmaster and his maids were there. An appropriate historical lesson concluded, the statue was suddenly invested with the power of speech and song, and for many minutes Captain Cook entertained the class with verses both grave and gay. The dancing girls and ballet are a great hit, will probably prove the most popular set seen in Auckland for some time.