ENTERTAINMENTS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 623, 12 April 1921, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“THE FAMOUS DIGGERS.' “The war has provided.iruisy sarpi ises. A great one is the entertainment which has been promulgated by ‘The Diggers.’ This combination of artists has given entertainments with marked success m the trenches and in various places in France, England, America and New Zealand, so that Brisbane citizens attending His Majesty’s Theatre last night were prepared for something worth seeing. They were not disappointed. A show was provided which view with the work of firs.t-class professionals, and an absolutely crowded house was enthusiastic in the applause of every item. The entertainment was of the most modern character. There was not a sad item; quqite the reverse. There were theatrical enterpreneurs present who took off their hats to the company. The programme was of the variety order. utterly lacking any suggestion of vulgarity, but singularly striking. Music, comedy, and dramatoc sketch all had their say to the delight of one of the fullest audiences that has assembled at His Majesty’s Theatre.” So says the Brisbane Daily Mail, commenting on the performance of “ The Diggers ” during their recent tour of Australia under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. “The Diggers” are making a tour of New Zealand under the direction of Mr Victor Beck, prior to ' completing engagements in the East, and will appear at the Premier Hall on Monday, April 18, when they will present an entirely new programme of musical gems, dances, burlesques, comedy sketches, potted revues, and many novelties from their extensive repertoire. Included in the personnel of “The Diggers” are the inimitable Stan Lawson. “the misleading lady;” Frank Parsons, baritone; Tano Fama, comedian; Len Walker, dancer and light comedian; George Proctor, tenor; Len. Lome, comedian, and Gus. Dawson, ragtime exponent and dancer. A select orchestra of ten artists will be a special feature of “The Diggers’ ” entertainment. The Daily Mail, Brisbane says: “For a couple of hours or more ‘The Diggers’ held their audience enchained with their sparkling comedy and tuneful singnig, so that the flight of .time passed unheeded and all too quickly. ‘The Diggers’ are strong iln voices, and tthe musical numbers, whether gay or serious, are among the most pleasant items of the evening. Several clever burlesque scenes are provocative of unrestrained mirth, and the remarkable female impersonations of Mr Stanley Lawson are delightful to see.” “The Diggers” are under the management of Tano Fama. Frank Perkins and Stan. Lawson. Bernard Cottier is musical director and Tano Fama producer. The box plan is now open at the Bookery. STRAND PICTURES. TO-NIGHT (TUESDAY). Viola Dana in the role of an ugly duckling school girl who transfarms herself into a charming young woman with an audacity that enables hei on occasions to pose as a wicked vampire, finds in “ Dangerous to Men,” a lively screen version, of H. V. Esmond’s stage drama, “Eliza Comes to Stay,” an opportunity for the fullest display of her powers as a comedienne. Eliza is orphaned when her father, on a scientific expedition in Afghanistan, is slain by bandits. His dying act is to leave hjs daughter as the ward of his dearest friend. Sandy Verrall, a serious-minded young scientist. Sandy is engaged to a flashy and mercenary actress who begins to lose interest m him when she meets his wealthy uncle. Incidents of the most intense interest follow 7 ' in rapid succession, leading to a denouement that is as unexpected • and absorbing as it is unusual. THURSDAY NEXT. “THE COMMON CAUSE/’ A really big “after-the-war” picture, one that is really different, is “The Common Cause,” the Blackton superfeature, starring Sylvia Dreamer and Herbert Rawlinson, and no fewer than ten other great stars. The story of a love new born on the battlefields divides honours with | scintillating comedy, at the hands of Lawrence Grossmith, England’s ) opular humourist, who makes his screen debu here. The presentation is graphically vivid, while the pathos is delightfully intermingled with the humour That was most irrepressible in the face of danger.’ “(The Common Cause” has one great advantage over previous war pictures, it contains no fulsome boost to America, but slnvs her share in the war in proper proportion. Cardinal Mei*cier said:—“The triumph of justice is complete. Thanks to God’s justice, right has triumphed, and the Belgians once more are free and independent. We have w r on the war.” “The Common Cause.” by Major lan Haybeath. a tabloid history of the common cause.