“THE DIGGERS.”

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16611, 8 December 1919, Page 6

“THE DIGGERS.”

TALENTED SOLDIER ENTERTAINERS. “The Diggers” came to New Plymouth with a big reputation and they showed by their opening entertainment on Saturday evening that their work fully justifies it. The Empire Theatre was quite tilled and the performers had\ no reason to complain of either the j number or the enthusiasm of their ' audience. In a programme which was generously long ‘“'fhe Diggers” combined excellent melody with genuine mirth in pleasing proportions. Selections from “Chou, Chin, Chou,” played by an orchestra of nine, led by Bernard Cottier, of Inglewood, provided a. pleasing I first impression which was to last I throughout the evening. After the | troupe bad been shoiyn in a bright I chorus ‘‘Take me back to New Zea- I land,” the audience was given a first sight of the most striking feature of the entertainment—female impersonations by Stan. Lawson, who then appeared as the leader in a concerted number, “Hole in her Stacking.” ' It was hard to realise that the good looking “girl” who was prancing and warbling on the stage was not all that “she” appeared to be. When he dons his high heeled shoes and daring stage costume Stan. Lawson undergoes a complete transformation from thoroughly male to I thoroughly female and can keep up the part witnout fault of voice, manner or sunny smile. He appeared in five numuers during the evening and succeeded in winning the heart oi nis audience no less successfully than would a real girl, of equal apparent charms, among so maiy men. there was music ol excellent quality besides that or the orchestra, which accompanied throughout the evening. Inc most enjoyed of the vocal items was undoubtedly that of a quartette —Lasiott Ex ton, Ueorge Tb-octor, Frank Perkins and Hoy Simpson—who sang ‘‘Haul Away,” without accompaniment, i’or a richly' deserved encore they sang “The Cornfields.” In solo numbers I'erkius (baritone) and Ex ton and Proctor (.tenor) were also very successful. Thu principal humourists were Pat. Uanua and Tauo Kama, and the audience simply couldn’t stop itself irora laughing wnen they occupied the stage. The former a iso did seierai charcoal sketches. Entertaining rugtnuo was provided by G ns. Dawson and Norman French. Cyril Scoboil by a drama tie rendering of “The Shooting of Dan M'Grue,” showed that lie is a master of the art of elocution. In two comedy sketches “The Diggers” found full scope for tbeii talents, “The Leave Tram'’ was a page from the life of the soldier in Piancc, dressed up lo make the humourous side sufficiently obvious to bo pleasing. Tauo Kama, as Bairusfathers immortal “Old Bill,” and Pat. Haiiun, as an inebriate Aussie who captured a I'earsome-imJkin.j Hun to carry his kit to the train, were the outstand- j ing characters though all the parts were adequately filled. “Ihe Music Hall ’ was a second delightful gem of humour enacted in a truly artistic manner. “The Diggers” deserve to have a full house on each night of their season. To-morrow night there will be a complete change of programme. “When an opinion is general it is usually correct.” —J. Austin. The general opinion of over a million Now Zealand people is that Baxter’s Lung Preserver is unequalled as a remedy for summer coughs, colds, sore throats, chest and bronchial troubles. Here is one of them: —“I ara_ subject to colds on my chest, and so is my wife. Nothing gives us such instant relief as your Lung Preserver.” —A. E. Wildey, 103 Hataitai Road, Wellington.' Got “Bax-j tor’s” to-day; 2s 6d largo bottle, at; chemist or store. 2