THE ENGLISH PIERROTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 8

THE ENGLISH PIERROTS.

; J A CLEAN AND CLEVER ENTERTAINMENT. The English Pierrots, who made such 'n good impression when in Wellington last year, commenced a tour of New Zealand at the .Concert Chamber last evening, before a large audience, which enjoyed every minute of the time the merry little band of performers were before the footlights. Truth to tell, the Pierrots' entertainment is as clean and refreshing as the dawn wind from the ocean in summertime; and i while each member has his or her owii particular forte, the ensemble singing, dancing, and sketch work was new, bright, and amazingly clever. In Mr. Maynard Dakin, the Pierrots possess a singing comedian and burlesque artist of unusual talent and personality, and his excellent fooling throughout the evening was delightful. As a, giddy comique he bounded into favour in the cheerful and cleverly-written song, "Beautiful Girls," showed his versatility as a character comedian in "Sophy's Sweethearts," completely wrecked his audience iu the absurdity, "Onions," and "Tho Little Girl With the Little Black Pug." With dainty little Miss Elsa Langley, a refined and winsome soubrette, he sang and fooled admirably in the burlesque, "I'm Going Away," and "Conversations." Miss Langley's solos inado a distinct hit in "Sam," and was charming in "Won't You Share My Big Umbrella." Mr. Leslie Chapman, who possesses a pleasing tenor voice, sang successfully "Mountain Lovers" and "Stars and Above," and with Mr. Leslie Austin the duets, "The Garden of My ' Heart" and "Dewy Dawn." The Pierrots now possess a 'bass in Mr. Roy Cook, whose mimical voice was heard to advantago in "The Muleteer of Malagar," and the vaudeville lilt, "O'Reilly/* Miss Nellie Haldon, another soubrette, sang My Dusky Rose," and "Skcery Coons. * Another favourite in Mr. W. P. Turner, comedian, scored a big success in 'A Yorkshire Boy" and "Arguments.' In "Funny Stories," a lnug mDle bit of nonsense, he was associated with Messrs. Dakin and Austin. Mr. Rob Thomas, who officates at tho piano, dropped the kevboard for a few minutes to give a dissertation on "Work," in which he advocated a policv distinctly opposed to the fevered rush of latter days. The company aNo appeared in several numbers which were enlivened with graceful evolutions and dances. Finally the Pierrots a-nsking went in a sketch entitled ■ Sports and Pastimes," in which Mr. Dakin and others were conspicuous in some amusing comedy work The programme, which is well calculated to drive dull care away, wi.lbe repeated to-night and to-morrow night. On Monday evening a complete change of programme will be presented.