DIGGERS' DIVISIONAL PIERROTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12717, 12 August 1919, Page 2

DIGGERS' DIVISIONAL PIERROTS.

■ 4 There was not a vacant seat in the Theahre Koyai last night, when " The Diggers,” the JNew Zealand Divisional Pierrots, gave the first ct their Christchurch series of enteron of soldier comrades, the .Diggers ” are familiar to many who heard them last night from the news' sent over ilio seas by Dominion soldiers concerning the troupesi.ihat entertained them in the war none, and sang and made merry on many a weary march. ‘'Thf> Diggers” are familiar, too, to audiences in the North Island and further south, for Christchurch happens to be the last city in which they will appear before demobilisation. The entertainer® met with a moat hearty reception, and as the score of merit mounted, ior each item seemed to excel its predecessor, enthusiasm increased, and the performers, one and ail, wore accorded unstinted < applause. It soon became apparent that the snow was o£ no orcunary character, but that it could Tie with the "very best entertainment companies that have been heard in this city. It lacked actual feminine variety, but that was made up lor by the presence of a pseudo-female, the character being portrayed to perfection by Digger Stanley Lawaon, who was as “coy as a maiden well could bo," and whoso little touches of femininity were oil very natural and deligntful. Added to which the performer possessed a voice of exceeding charm, whether in singing or speaking, and the costume and stage camouflage completed a very eScctivo picture. The entertainment was wonderfuLly well varied, and the vocalists were supported bv a smart orchestra of ten players, led by Rifleman B. Cottier. The overt.ure, or, aa the programme described it, “ orchestral barrage,” displayed no holes or premature bursts,” but was a, solid wall of good e;en musical sound that preceded a very vigorous “ first wave over the top, which took tho form of a bright little chorus. Take Me Back lo New Zealand.” J.he succeeding numbers In tho first part, were provided by Stanley Lawson, whose best was the Busy Bee.” rn insinuating ragtime ditty with effective by-play by the troupe; quartets, most capably fU ng by Diggers Lxton, 1 roctor, Perkins and Simpson; clever sketching by Lieutenant G. P. Hairna. who al-Ho contributed a humorous topioa.l recita-tic-u; impersonations, “Songs and Their Singers, by Ta.no ,F6ma, on exceedingly f;ood turn; * vocal solo by Digger Exton, Love, Como from your Hiding Place”: aong and chorus, “The Bella of St Mary's, ’ very prettily sung by I)igg w Perkins and chorus; a comic interlude by Diggers Soobell, .t.'i.nia. umi 1-rcmih; a ragtime contribution, Alex wider a Back from Dixie": end a humorous sketch, “The Leave Train.” in which a number of character a were presented representative of what waa to be seen in such a team in Franco, ft was a v «ry clever production. And the character? were excellent especially Tano Fama as “’Ole Bill.” The uov°r!lt ; I> 'l rl ' cons i siotl very Acceptable The fr««l, by !TT'' of tho MUno Performers, f wJ. J were George Proctor, ■ light baritone singer of rich voice qualitv who gave r hue interpretation of “(tod Send To i .back to We ; and Soubell, whose musiosl monologue. “ 11, 0 Shooting of Dan Scit V rlntf T lu < ’ e ' r ! ,ioi V llly Rood dramatic Itoikins “ Wild y Tn ? Ws ? n and Frani , ! ’ , d wss also a very tertuning and enjoyable performance. The Diggers show concluded with a burlesque sketch, entitled “ The Music Hall.” At the final curtain the big audience accorded the iggora an ovation. Tho program mo will bo repeated this evening. The local oimto Jr **' i tor (Dr Thackerl to diatnbulo to various soldiers’ interests.