AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 85, 10 August 1915, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

. ~~u«fr» "THE VIOLETS." Edward Branscombe's ' Violet Dandies are doubtless one- of the brightest, cleverest, and most entertaining costume comedy companies that have visited Stratford. Every item rendered last evening svas heartily encored by the audience, which was a large one, although the Hall was not packed. The artists are all new to Stratford, and their repertoire was refreshingly new. The solos were well done, tbe duets evenly balanced, the quartettes good, and tbe concerted members were excellent. Mr Outbbert Bose is a comedian whose work is really finished and brimful of good tbings. Not once in the wbole evening did be fail to "catch" his audience. His "If tbe missus says" was splendid. Mr Howard Hall possesses a basso voice which is used pleasingly, but Mr Hall's choice "Three for Jack" is played out, and one would like to bear something new. Mr George Brooke, tbe light baritone of tbe company, sang bis songs well, and was quite at home in the concerted numbers "Ragtime" was tbe specialty of Messrs Otto Collins and Oswald Browne, whose rendering of "Tbe Chanticleer" was particularly well done. Mr Browne was tfd*o good in duets with Miss Dorothy Gardner. Miss Gardner is a clever young lady, who puts plenty of entbusiasm in her work. Her "Tommy Atkins" was a very fine item. She was also effective in her duet numbers and comedy. Miss Kate Cbeckett, the soprano of tbe group, uses her pleasing voice to good effect, but her enunciation in her first song was very indifferent. Hiss Tbirley Cooke, tho soubrette, bag plenty of life—an essential lacking in most soubreftes. Last, but not least by any -means, comes Marguerite Leroy, a clever and conscientious danseuse. Miss Leroy's Turkish dance was pretty and pleasing, while her clog dance with the Ragtimes was charming, the quaint Dutch dresses lending much to the effect. More of the dancing as demonstrated by Mias Leroy would l«j welcome to local theatre-goers. Special mention must be made of Mr EdwardCahill, "the little chap at the piano," for bis accompaniments. The concerted item "Down in the Cornfield" was well done, the mezza voce work was striking, and of the many excellent concerted items this was perhaps the best. The finale was "the limit," but at tbe same time it, as well as the other items ,did not consist of a lot of silly burlesque nonsense, which so strongly appertains to most comedy companies.

A pleasant evening's entertainment, sparkling with many bright jukes and unbesmirelied by the least vulgarity is provided by "The Violets,", whose re-appearanee in Stratford will be welcomed.