DIGGERS’ LAST CHANGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 690, 15 June 1929, Page 14

DIGGERS’ LAST CHANGE

SHOW AT ST. JAMES JOE VALLI AND PAT HANNA Thanks to the generosity of Pat Manna and his company, patrons of the St. James enjoyed a change of programme last evening, in spite of the fact that it was the last night but one of the season. And a. splendid programme it was, too. Full of humour, with much bright dancing and many delightful songs, it was equal to anything the Diggers have yet given us in Auckland. There were Joe Valli and Pat Hanna, as

large as life and twice as funny; there was the ballet, dancing as gracefully as ever; and there were the singers, singing songs delightfully new and interesting. May it not be long before they all return to Auckland.

Perhaps the brightest thing of the vening was Signor Joso Valligatani’s

celebrated Boozey Bozo Jazz Band. A weirder collection of home-made instruments never appeared on a selfrespecting stage, and Joe Valli’s conducting was a thing to wonder at. Even the music stand was affected by liis syncopation and began to dance, and, in the climax, Joe’s hair turned

A sketch entitled “Engaging a Company,” the script of which is said to have been unearthed from the tomb of Tutankhamen, is another scintillating spot in a brilliant galaxy of stars. Norman French as Oskar Ash, a tragedian of the very old school, makes a tremendous hit. tj.nd Joe Valli as the eternal office-boy is inimitably idiotic.

The chorus is as pretty as ever—no, prettier—and its dancing is the same well-trained, accurate business that it

always is. The Dance of the Circus Ponies is a delightful scene, remarkable for the excellence of its performance and for the beauty of the dresses worn by the dancers.

Adele Taylor, Iza Crossley, Jock Thomson and Ernest Kopke all sing attractively, and one number in particular, a duet by Adele Taylor and Ernest Kopke, in which the two sing a delightful version of “All God’s Cliillun Got Shoes,” draws rounds of applause from the audience.

Pat Hanna, when he was in France, must have suffered sorely under his

sergeant-major. He gives a wonderfully amusing sketch of an oldfashioned, hard-boiled sergeant-major drilling a squad of raw recruits. One can almost hear the bad language at times. Another amusing sketch is entitled “The Wickedest Woman in Remuera,” and describes the downfall of “the nicest boy in Auckland.” It was a terrible downfall, too. The programme concludes with “An Original Military Episode—Up the Line in the Morning.” One gathers that soldiers can dream as foolish things as anyone else—a. nice, kind sergeanthis poor, tired men a cup of coffee in the morning, and medical officers only too ready to discover that a man is ill and to send him off for a fortnight’s leave with the least possible trouble. Still, it was a good dream while it lasted. The Diggers have been here many times in the past, and they have always been popular. There can be no doubt that if they continue to put on shows as good as that of last evening they will continue to be popular, no matter how often they visit Auckland. AKARANA YACHT CLUB DANCE The Akarana Yacht Club will hold its usual .Saturday evening dance in the clubhouse this evening. There will be excellent music, and the floor is in good condition. A free bus service is run from Endean’s Buildings to i Mechanics’ Bay.