SMART SET DIGGERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 3

SMART SET DIGGERS

"ATJS6IES"" AUSPICIOUS' OPENING. It says a good deal, for the talent which Misted ill the vnridUs; sections of the British overseas army to find that after nearly two years since the cessation of hostilities, the companies of "Digger" entertainers, who amused the soldiers behind those drcndful linua, are able to hold their own In competition with the professional com- • panies. Another instance of this is the Aussie Smart Set Diggers, who commenced a. 'season before a crowded Opera .jaouso on Saturday evening, and succeeded thoroughly in establishing themselveß ae clever and versatile entertainers. Each of the members of the company uwaß a genuine Australian 3oldier, which conveys a good deal to thofle v*ho knew the boys. The style of entertainment ;is . revue, with a long string of vocal, comedy, r.nd dancing turns, which t ike piace before and behind «t of tanleau curtains. A couple'of "Anfliie' toldjers are depicted in a dishevelled billet; and, after being bullied and badgered by sergeantmajor, they seek their uneasy rat-infested couches to dream of leave delights in "Blighty" and Pariß. What .fquowß in the dream. A lively chorus initiates _ a cafe scene, in which the boys and prls .half a dozen of the Diggers are at home in skirts-go gay- Mr. Fred. Vvhitlow and Mr. Geo. Castles (a brother of Amy and Eileen Catties) fool and sine as father and son in' "The Old Dos." Ohaa. Holt, the chief female impersonator who goesi for tho ultra-decollete in costume ard pose, yet whose voice has some appealing tones Bings "Suzanne" (with chorus), but niake? ."her" best impression in Dream Boat, rinborated by % full chorus, with harp accompaniment. Mr. Holt v/aB also clever in "The Burglar sketch, and nleo in the outrageous burlesau, on tha. deal i feme from Camille.' "I'm BUppinff. Ims ipnine!" says the expiring- Camiil... ana a.' Bhe hits the floor Ma\:ns ejaculates, "hhe slopped!" and executes a pas de seul by way o' mourning. . Voc.lly nies' have a treasure in Mr fn'.n mn a robust and resonant baritone of fine' auality, even throughout tho registers. "The Last Call," "Because I Love Ymi So " "The Only Girl," and was associated 'with Mr. George Castles in the henutiful duet between the poet and the Sainter from "La Boheme." Mr. Castles ?as some ringing top notes, but his middle register is not bo telling. It was a pleasure, however, to hear hip J" "Ohatination" (in French), and "Drink to •ir„ only" The only comedian who matis Mr. Ernest Crosby, who exudes a the Eastern scene, and in the officer stunt, <'Hy Word," in which his make-up was excellent. Another gifted "Aussie is Mr. "red. Whitlow, who he d the Hs e flrmlv in "The Dream" speech from Iho Kilve? King,"- in which .he showed, good dramatic power, and a nice turn for charSr Mr. Richard Butler also succeeded « T nineer of "The Alabama Jubilee, "Wien "er Goes Cmt WalkinV' Messrs. Crosby and f lntlow alwirivoUed lil Jb" Mr W Albert 6 Torzillo, a harpist oi nhffitv nlaycd a couple "of fldos adroitly, and graced tho aeeompanijnents o iart -iraß a clever sketch, Tho Hells of & Varv's" in which bride.and groom, trideiunaid's, and panonnU »eo. at the • SSs McTotably good Incers Mr. cutes a clever antique dance, a la enne. Mr. Ralph lawyer made a uatinu hit as the "Star of the Eastern bea, a Salome dancer of th(> wriggiey type, not, approved by the Bagdad connoisseurs. He was also apt and athletic in sr. aiachc dance with Mr. l!eg M'Laughlin. An issue from the Hast gave an excuse fur an attractive scene, aiul much good fooling. The final scene introduced tunctul excerpts from "La Maseotte" and fho Girls of Gottenburg." with the chorus, "Berlin is oil the Spree" as a finale. Inn attractiveness of the show lies in its (on tinuous action, and the happy choico ot popular numbers throughout the long programme. The work of Mr. Ivor Weir as musical director is to be uommendod.