THE FAMOUS N.Z. DIGGERS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2344, 20 October 1921, Page 2

THE FAMOUS N.Z. DIGGERS

Springing surprises have been a habit with the Famous New Zealand Diggers. The latest surprise this wonderfully successful company is springing on their patrons is the advent of some new Digger talent secured from other parts of the world. These additions to the New Zealand talent already in the troupe will include Joe Valli, a Scottish comedian and eccentric dancer, who has appeared with his own screamingly funny sketch, “Tickets Please,” at the Palladium, London, and throughout the Moss Stoll Circuit. Another importation is Sergeant Bert Barton, who was brought out by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to play dame in pantomime. Mr Barton is a very versatile artist, whose, repertoire ranges from Dickens’ sketches to dame songs and patter. As a lad, he was in the cast at Daly’s Theatre, London, in support of Marie Studholme, and established a record by playing in the Coleseum, London, for ten months in a burlesque of “Hamlet.” One of his biggest successes was the title role in “Huinpty Dumpty,” with J. C. Williamson. Another newcomer will be Frank Moran, a comedian with a good singing voice. Moran, who hails from New Zealand, remained in England after the war to do a tour of the English music halls. He was well established as a favourite in the provinces when circumstances compelled him to hurry back to his native land, New Zealand, and the Diggers immediately offered him a contract, which he accepted. Gwilym Davies, the new baritone, is the possessor of a splendid voice, which earned for him a. command performance before the Royal Family at; Windsor. He was*a member of the renowned “Anzac Coves,” (he premier entertainers of the Australian Expeditionary Force in France. Ivan Marshall is a tenor who is sure to please. Besides these, there are Messrs Spencer Furrell (a rattling good ragtime singer and dancer)., Tano Faina (comedian), Stan Lawson (misleading lady), and other well-known members of this organisation. * The entertainment presented will be entirely new, no item of the programme having ever been presented in New Zealand before.