"THE DIGGERS."

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16613, 10 December 1919, Page 6

"THE DIGGERS."

FRESH STUNTS. Applause almost as loud as whizbang music greeted “The Diggers’’ when they appeared for the third time before a crowded house on Tuesday night. The programme, except for a few previous favourites as encores, was entirely new and just as entertaining as on previous nights. During the evening limelights were thrown on the stage, which was festooned with coloured electric lights shrouded by crinkly paper shavings. The whole produced a bizarre but very charming effect. Stan Lawson, the star of the troupe, danced and coquetted with as much fervour as any real girl, while in the role of an Egyptian sorceress, robed in glittering garments, he made as bewitching a woman as one could wish to see anywhere. Perhaps too familiar a sight to some members of the audience w r as a clever little sketch by G. P. Hanna, in which lie “came home” after a night out. Mr. Hanna must be a “much experienced” artist to excel as he does in this role. His charcoal sketches also evoked great applause, especially one easily recognised as" the “King” of Taranaki. Tauo Faina again reduced the house to gales of laughter in several burlesque items. In the melodrama (burlesque), where he acted the part of the villain, and as an amateur Svengali, he proved very entertaining. Several clever ragtimes and stepdances were given by 6. Dawson and F. Perkins, the one in Dutch costume being very spectacular. “I lost my heart in Maoriland” (F. Perkins), “The Heart of a Rose” (George Proctor), and “La Donna Mobile” (Laslett Exton) were all on a par with previous songs. “By Yukon Trail,” a virile pbem of the cold north, was forcefully recited by Cyril Scobell. The final item on the programme, in which all the performers took part, was a “Potted Review” entitled “What Next.”

The grand finale showed a happy band of revellers on carnival night, Stan Lawson making a most charming dancing girl dressed as “Folly.” The orchestra played “Maid of the Mountains” and “En’tracte,” both pieces being much enjoyed. To-night for the last time “The Diggers” will present the programme of Tuesday night, and all who have been unable to see these talented performers should not fail to do so to-night.