BACK AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20059, 27 December 1928, Page 13

BACK AGAIN

PAT HANNA'S DIGGERS FEVERISH FUN AT FULLERS’ Many theatregoers have pleasant recollections of the bright shows staged in Dunedin by the “Diggers” during the last ten years. Their reappearance in the Princess Theatre last evening, under the, direction of Pat Hanna, was indeed a welcome one, a fact that the packed house indicated with no little uncertainty. True, there are not many of the original “ Diggers ” left, but the same joyous and effervescing spirit that characterised all their entertainments before was as much in evidence last night. Stan Lawson, the “ misleading lady ” of old, is again a leading light in the company, ana ho and-Pat Hanna are associated with a clever band of entertainers. Their performance was certainly one calculated to banish all cares and worries, and it more than succeeded in its purpose. The show was a pot pound of song, dance, and story happily blended into an extremely breezy revue. The dancing was attractive, the comedy broad and clever, the singing of the soloists unusually good, ana the whole show was presented with such vim and verve that it could not fail to please. Joe Valli, an old favourite with Dunedin audiences, received a- warm welcome. He has not changed much; he is still the same irrepressible fountain of fun. The toothless grin and the ludicrous antics were once more to the fore, and the diminutive comedian amused the audience vastly with his original line of talk and quaint mannerisms. Joe Valli revels in the frankly farcical, and last evening he was able to demonstrate bis abilities in this respect in several ■■ highly diverting sketches, only one of which count be classed as aged. A judicious sprinkling of military sketches was a feature ot the programme. The apparently immortal ‘ Mademoiselle from Armentieres ’ was cast in a new setting, and a note of tragedy was introduced which made it all the more effective. ‘ln Hospital,’, which showed alleged convalescents ’ enjoying themselves in “ Blighty,” dragged badly towards the finish. Joe Valli and Pat Hanna gave a delightful little marionette novelty, a revival which was most enthusiastically received. Their pertinent topicalities together with their clever manipulations of the puppets, constituted a very pleasing novelty. Ernest Kopke and Jock Thomson, two vocalists distinctly above the average, created a very favourable impression. The former sang the extremely maudlin ‘Lay My Head Beneath a Rose soulfully, and was heartily applauded. He possesses one of the prettiest voices heard on the variety stage for a long time, and sang several numbers attractively. Jock Thomson gave ■-< ,-itod tendering of ‘Hail, Caledonia!’ and pleased everyone with his robust singing. Mickey Phillips, a vivacious little soubrette, sang very daintily and danced gracefully, her perfectly natural “ child impressions ” being one of the notable items on the programme. Izn CrossIcy was another charming young lady, who led the chorus in oveial bright numbers. Stan Lawson tigered prominently in most of the sketches. His eccentric dancing and uiiecCous style of singing brought him into favour immediately. Roy Hrinsdcn demonstrated Ids versatility ”by playing xylophone solos with considerable skill and effect and then giving a saxophone number. Mollic Andrews began tbo ‘ Waltz Song ’ from ‘ Tom Jones ’ very pleasingly, but unfortunately could not go on. "The charming, but voiceless, young ladies of the chorus postured gracefully in the background all evening. This programme will be repeated nightly.