DANDY DIXIE MINSTRELS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 735, 30 May 1922, Page 4

DANDY DIXIE MINSTRELS.

A BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT. The Dandy Minstrels, who commenced a two-night season in New Plymouth at the Empire Theatre on Tuesday evening faced a good audience, which warmly appreciated the programme presented, the items given by the several artists, all of whom s'-.owed considerable versatility, being repeatedly encored. The coloured American comedians, with Jolly John. Larkins at their head, appealed to those present, their original humour provoking much laughter and fun. The early part of the enteiltaenment took the form of a minstrel show in which thei-e was some nice conceilted singing and solos by the three dark-skinned comedians, as well as Misses Rosa and Violet Hawthorne, Mr Norman West and Mtr David Francis, each of whom was en.thus.ictica’ly recalled. Jolly John and Billy Sumner were the corner men, and Huntly Spence. - the third man cf the trio of coloured entertainers, acted as interlocutor and the patter and d oil humour of these was very entertaining throughout. keeping the audience in a merry rrood from the ;rise of the uiAain until it' fell with the chorus “Ererybody’s Happy.” The second half of the programme was a miscelleaneous selections of songs, dances and humorous sketches in which the whole company took turn, and whether in song, story, dance or sketch the quality of the enieretainment was good and wholesome throughout. Jolly John Larkins was the big man of the company ar.d his singing and humour gave a sn'emlid lead to the other members of the party. Billy Sumner ably supported with songs and sketches and eccentric dancing, and Miss Irene Ross was the snubrette of the company, a part she filled with much success. The duets between the Hawthorne sisters were enthusiastically encored. M.ss Yiolet Hawtbrone ably sustained the role of accompanist throughout.