THE PIERROTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1920, Page 5

THE PIERROTS.

[ A BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. The reputation which the English Pierrots have gained amongst theatregoers for providing an enjoyable entertainment is fully maintained by the programme which they present on their latest tour. The company played to a large audience at the Empire Theatre on Saturday'night, and the applause following each item evidenced the appreciation of thode present at the bill of fare. The vocal and instrumental turns were all of a pleasing quality, and the concerted numbers were presented in the style peculiar to the Pierrots. The opening chorus, "Pierrotland," heralded a bright show, and this was backed up by tlse item "The Last Train H,ome," which was carried out in a very original style, as was also the iiext item, "Man In Uniform," by Miss Thelma Redgrave and Pierrots. "Rosebuds" was sung in an able manner by lliag Ena Gordon, and in response to an encore she gave "Lass With the Delicate Air." Mr. Roy Cooke's voice 'was well suited in "Onaway Awake," and he also'rendered "Waiata, Poi," in fine style. A very pleasing number was "Homing," sung by Mr. David Lyle (.tenor), and hie encore number, "'Tis the Day," was also much appreciated by his' audience. The duet by Miss Gordon and Mr. Lyle, "A Night in Venice," was nicely rendered, and when called on for a re-appearance they repeated a portion of the number. The humorous portion of the programme was in the able hands of Messrs Leslie Austin and Charles Lawrence. In "Economise," Mr. Austin gave quite a number of laughable illustrations of how to meet the present high cost of living, and, replying to a re-call, gave the descriptive "Looks." Associated with Mr. Lawrence later in the evening, he again had the audience highly amused with the ragtime piece, "Paderewski," and the dissertation on love, entitled, "You Can't Do Without It." With his new interpretations of the "Three Blind Mice" Mr. Lawrence had his audience in roars pf laughter, and maintained his success with "Girologv." The character song, "Father's Got the Sack," gave full scope for Miss Lilian Colenzo's abilities, and she immediately established herself with the audience. "Sammy" was given as an encore item. The specialty dance item by Miss Joy Rolls and Mr. Austin was a graceful turn, and they were insistently recalled, when another pleasing exhibition was given by these artists. Miss Betty McLeod's child impersonations were very quaint. "Ain't We, Charlie!" quite took the fancy of her audience. The scenas by the Pierrots were a feature of the evening. "Romany" made a pretty gipsy picture, and "Mandalay" was a fine portrayal of an Eastern Bcene. These items were well carried out by the company with the attention to detail which makes for success. Th« ladies' orchestra was a valuable addition to the company's personnel, and in addition to the work of accompanying they Tendered the selections "Cossack Revels" and "Basket of Hoses." Items were also given by Miss Marion de Saxe, a capable flautist, and Miss 'Vera Jurs, whose violin solos were very ably executed.

Tlie company appears again to-night and on Tuesday and Wednesday a complete change of programme will be presented, the Pierrots being seen in numbers not previously staged by them locally.