THE NEW DANDIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1772, 10 June 1913, Page 6

THE NEW DANDIES.

OPENING NIGHT. Though "Dandies" may coma and go, there will always bo enough Ad to spare to keep Wellington amused during the wintor months. As a matter of faet, Mr. Edward Branscombe's supply of "Dandy" companies of every colour is practically inexhaustible, thcro bring no fewer than seven companies now performing nightly in New Zealand and Australia. Tho present company are tho "Pink Dandies," tho personnel of which includes several ablo entertainers. Ono can hardly compare the show with tho "Iteds," for tho simplo reason that it differs a good deal in constitution and style, leaning appreciably nearer to vaudeville than its popular predecessors. The company consists of three ladies and seven gentlemen, and individually each ono justifies his or her plao/ in the combination, which was given a favourable reception bv a largo audience in the big Town Hall last evening. Notable •among tho members are a quartet of established favourites, Misses Lily and Rita Fitzgerald, and Mr. Ford Waltham (all of the last "Scarlet Troubadour" Company), and Mr. Joseph Brennan (of last soason's "Green Dandies''). Miss Lily Fitzgerald is a bright soprano, who last ovonmg returned to favour in the pretty "Where My Caravan" and "Havana,' and was also associated with Messrs. Ford and Agnew in the old-time trio "I Naviganti." Miss Lily Fitzgerald is a smart captivating little soubrette, and possesses a small but tuneful voice which she uses discreetly. Her first songs were "Agbtha Green" and "Janio" (from the Margaret Cooper repjrtoire), both of which sho sang with pert intelligence. She was at her best, however, in tho "Beautiful Doll" duet with Mr. George Edwards, the sportive "Kag-time Jockey" interlude, and perhaps best of all in that cute American, specialty "You've Got Me Hypnotised," which savours of Broadway. Mr. Ford Waltham was given a rousing reception. His first appearance was with Mr. Agncw in. the comic duet, "The Two Beggars," in which neither singer hnd sensed the acoustics of the big hall. Tho popular basso camo into his own in. a robust breezy singing of "A Strolling Player," and to the delight of many he sang as an encore tho old favourites, "A Chip of the Old Block" and "Drinking." both of which produced tumultuous applause. Mis 3 Peggy Ross, a light, pretty soprano, who sing 3 with taste, introduced herself in the charming ballad "I AVonder If Ever the Rose," which she sang too slowly to doline the rhythm. Sho will be heard to much better ndvantago ill tho smaller hall. Mr. George Edwards is a likeable singing comedian, who is sure to bo popular. Ho did not quite "catch" in his first song, "My Wife's Gone to tho Coun-

try," but was quito good in the Italian oddity "Rosetta," and showed a deal of humorous finesse in "Don't Apologise." His by-play in the duots with Miss iiita Fitzgerald was distinctly good. The most notable hit of the evening was mado by Mr. At'hol Tier, an eccentric comedian and dancer 'of unquestionable talent. Aided by a physique almost thin enough, to be slipped nnder a closed door, and a broadly grotesque "make-up," Mr. Tier set the audienco giggling at once in the ludicrous song "i'or Ho's a Jolly Good Fellow," to which he appended "gags," old and new, and a most amazing dance, in which he showed extraordinary looseness of limb. He was even moro successful in the comic absurdity "Look At Me Wow," and a burlesque love-song. The danco which followed served to introduce the perforator as a species of india-rubber corkscrew. Mr. Eobort Agnew boasts a rather pleasing light tenor, which is valuable in the combined vocal efforts and part-songs. His solos wero "Maid of Manaar" and "Two Eyes of Grey." His voice was particularly effective in the melody part of the familiar quarfcot "The Soldiers'-Farewell," sung ivith Messrs. P. Hardman, P. l'eachey, and F. AValtham.

"The Story of a Tack" served as an amusing encore. Mr. Joseph Brennan is equally good as a raconteur, reciter, and character comique. He was highly successful in his mock drama, "The Mystery of the • Midnight Aloon," and was very comical in his female impersonation in the second part of the programme. Mr. Marshall Lawrence has a powerful bari-

tono voice, somewhat hard in quality, Two of his songs were, "A Son 'Cf the Desert" and "Tho Gallants of England." Still another vocal assistant was Mr. Frank Peachey. Bright finales were provided in "Widow Wood" and "Tho Pearl of Japan." This evening "The Dandies" will appear in tho Concert Chamber, where they will bo located for some weeks to come.