THE N.Z. “DIGGERS.”

Wairarapa Age, 13 March 1922, Page 5

THE N.Z. “DIGGERS.”

A fairly good house greeted the “Diggers” at the Opera House on Saturday, when a programme almost identical with that presented on the company’s previous visiUto Mastertou was submitted. For this reason, many who had patronieed the show on that occasion w’ere disappointed on Saturday night. Not that the turns were not up to the “Diggers’ ” standard. They were all “honest-to-goodness” efforts to amuse, and some of them succeeded remarkably well. The singing was a delight, and the pleasure of the audience would have been enhanced if better-known songs had been selected and if the singers (thi s applies to both comic and other songs) would endeavour to enunciate more clearly or arrange for less volume from the orchestra. Frank Mbran is outside this criticism, for his words were always clear. Joe Valli has lost none of hi s cleverness as a' comedy artist of outstanding merit, and Frank Perryn gets every ounce of humour from his “Little Drop with Martha.” Gue Dawson’s “Scarecrow Dance” was a masterpiece. [Frank Perryn’s Italian song and “Dago Man” recitation were gems. ’Hie quartettes were spoiled because of poor enunciation. In, “Backsheesh,” some beautiful limelight effects were produced, but it has little else to commend it. One of the items most enjoyed was Ivan Marshiali’s i singing of “Maid of Malabar.” “TicI kets, Please,” has enough fun in t to warrant repetition. The “Diggers” will be at the Opera i House again this evening. ■ =