TAIHAPE PIERROTS’ ENTERTAINMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 July 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE PIERROTS’ ENTERTAINMENT.

The Taihape Pierrots appeared last night at the Town Hall before a good house, and had a hearty welcome. The entertainment opened with fhc “Wonderland Grand Selection” by the company, introducing well known popular melodies, the soloists being Miss Oldham, and Wright sjS. and Messrs. De Latour and T. Smith. The piece went with a swing and in good time. Miss Brodrick vocalised very sweetly “Cheer Up, Do!” and had to respond to cur encore. The Spanish song “Bandolero” was creditably -rendered, by Mr T. Smith, but in the encore number, “A Big Lot of Sunshine,” he was heard to better advantage. “I’ve got the Sweetest Girl in Maryland,” by Mrs Beaton; was sung with taste and expression, the incidental effects by the members of the Company adding to the enjoyment of . the contribution. Miss Olive Wallace recited the pathetic story of ‘ Pierrot * with the requisite feeling, and was encored. The trio, “Sun-bonnet Sue,” by Messrs. Smith, Powell, and Murray, w r as a delightful number, enhanced considerably by the advent of Mrs. Beaton, and Misses Oldham and Wrightson as the Sun-lpnnet Girls,” By special request Mr De Latour gave “Prunes and Prisons,” which by its humorous patter and catchy refrain, pleased the audience.. An imperative, encore resulted, and Mr De Latour responded with “Poor Thing.” Miss Wrightson sang very effectively “My Echo, ’ ’ bringing out the light anld shade of the solo admirably and she had to repeat the number. “The B'luq Dragoons,” with Mr Parker as soloist and a company chorus was very acceptable effort. The second part of the programme opened with ‘ Good-bye-e-e 5 by Mr Tony Smith, and he had to repeat it three times (the last time as a whistling solo) before the audience would let him go. One of the most charming and delightful scenes of the evening was in the song “In Japanese Butterfly Land,” the soloist, Miss Phillis Oldham, making her appearance on the, stage in a coloured palanquin, carried by two sturdy Japs (Messrs. - Powell and Parker.) Miss Oldham, who was dresed in the conventional Japanese costume, and with the inevitable umbrella, sang and acted her part very daintily, her vocal effort being rendered in an artistic and finished manner. Altogether she was a most alluring coquette. Hardly anyone who knew him would accuse Mr De Latour of being a “Cupid,” but, armed with the' usual bow and arrow, he made good,]and brought down the house with his ridiculous patter and gags. ‘The Idea!” was contributed as an encore number. Miss Wallace recited the story of “Spotty” with humour and fooling, and this item was her best effort during the evening. She recited “ Blind, J> in response to a recall. Mr. Murray, though obviously handicapped by a severe cold, sang, “You’re Such a Lovable Girl,” in first class style, and was encored, rendering “Back Home in Tennessee,” The sex jtette “Nursery Rhymes,” by Misses Wrightson and: Oldham and Mrs. Beaton, and Messrs.. Parker. Murray and De Latour »was ludicrous, the manner in which the

various nursery rhymes were strungtogether being mirth-provoking. Mr, Powell sang “When the Bells of Peace are Ringing,” and the marching with flags and chorus was very effective. Miss Brodrich sang “There are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Gar* den,” in a finished manner, her en* tonation and enunciation being perfect. She was recalled, and sang another song equally as well. The programme concluded with a grand concerted item “Songs of B'iighty,” iir which some of the popular songs called into existence by the great war wereincluded. The chorus went along with a swing and vigour that made- it a pleasure to listen to. To Mrs. Plummer a special wmrd of commendation must be accorded for the the splendid result of the" musical portion of the programme, and also for her particularly able and sympathetic accompaniments. To say that the stage arrangements and “business” were excellent, is only paying a well deserved tribute to the stage manager, Mr De Latour. The performance was given under considerable difficulties on account of the almost numbing cold, the thermometer registering freezing point during the evening, and that the performers did so well is due to their own and the organisers’ painstaking efforts.