THE WANDERERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 6

THE WANDERERS.

('MUSICAL COSTUME COMEDY." Tho Wanderers, a "musical costume comedy company," presented by Mr. George Stephenson, and now touring New Zealand lor the first time, appeared before a- very largo audience in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Saturday evening. Tho Wanderers are a company of singers grave and gay, monologue artists, jesters, and dancers, providing, in an easy unconventional way, entertainment full of variety. Tho company has quite recently been reorganised, and to that circumstance may bo ascribed a certain stiffness which was perceptible in tho opening concert on Saturday evening. The programme, also, was far too long; it was nearly a quarter to eleven before the last item was reached, 'and that after cutting out a bright little comedietta. A little more, care in the arrangement of the programme, and a little .more thought on tho part of the individual members as to their respective turns are necessary in order to achievo that crispness and "go" which such an entertainment should have. There are inherent possibilities in the company which should develop rapidly, and there arc certain of its members who are unmistakably good. In Mr. Leslie Holmes, one is introduced to a jester of unusual excellence. True, some of his jokes and ditties are what the Scotch would describe as "cauld kail hot again," but his genial personality, his amusing gesticulations—ho is a gesticulator of rare parts—and his inimitable method of serving his fare, make even his "chestnuts" more than acceptable. Miss Phyllis Hopwood-Foldi, society entertainer, was heralded as tho accepted star of the company. Her place on tho programme is as a mouologue artistpianoforte soli sketches from life, skits, and so on. There is a flavour of genial bonhomie, about her that places her "en inHmc" with her audience, and her presentation of an amusing interlude descriptive oi tho visit of an old gentleman to the college of his youth, and the study where he spent his not too studious days, was really good. Her "turn" would bo vastly improved by a little rearrangement of her items. Miss Everil Heggic, a dainty comedienne, is good. Her singing, suited to her role s<s a serio, is pleasing, and her dancing easy and graceful. The soprano of the company, Miss Madeline Feme, has a pleasing quality of voice, tho effect of which is almost completely spoilt by an excessive vibrato. Her items included Allitsen's "Song of Thanksgiving," for which her quality of voice is not very well suited, and an operatic number. Mr. J. Leith Harvey is the tenor of Ihn company, a breezy Finger, wheso cheerful abandon is some compensation for his somewhat unorthodox sinking method. He is nt Ins best in ballads and folk-songs, which he sings acceptably. The baritone, Mr. Dennis Keenan." is rather a colourless singer, whose voice is frequently muffled by'his mannrr of producing it. His contributions included "The Blacksmith s Wedding" (with anvil effects), and "The Battle Eve," a duet, in which he was associated with Mr. Harvey. Miss Ruby Guest, mandolin player and banjoist, is a bright member of the little coterie, and in addition to her instrumental items »ave a touch of colour to tho proiramme in her amusing "duologue" with Mr. Leslie Holmes, a whimsical sketch entitled "How Can I Forget?" There were also concerted items by the whole of the company, the best of these being the "Bottolorum Symphorum" chorus, which was excellently sung, the effect of the performance being enhanced by the ingenious accompaniment of musical bottles, each tuned to a particular note. The company also boasts a male soprano, Mr. George Winstanley, whose falsetto singing is rather striking, Mr. Herbert Brahms is musical director of the company, which will give its second entertainment this evening.