AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 267, 4 November 1908, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE SCARLET TKULBADOLKS. A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. A delightful eiitcrtainuienl, delightful rom start to linish; delightful items ], v thoroughly capable artists-even u ,i'e "I them i'i lat doesn't ucarlv describe the performance of -The Scarlet Troubadours" in the Theatre Uoval la-i, night. \\ i| Pn ; t was announced - t]lllt t , ;il tour was organised .i>v Mr. Edwa-d Lrauscombc, producer and director of the Westminster Glee and Concert larty in New Zealand, the thinking theatre-goer immediately put from hi* any idea that he mav have had th.it this company was one of vaudeville - | vaudeville as we know it. That thev ■were right will be admitted bv ovary one of the patrons of last night's entertainment, and if the 'Troubadours"

do not face a bumper house to-night—-well, it will mean that those who were present last night have been stricken dumb. It was as fresh, brilliant, brisk, pleasant, and lightsome an entertainment as the heart of the pleasureseeker could possibly desire. The theatre was only moderately filled, but what was lacking in numbers was mote than made up by the spontaneous outbursts of delighted appreciation. The programme was exeelhnt throughout and delightfully varied, comprising solos and choruses, duets and quartettes, banjo music, lightning sketches —and every item, without exception,

•was encored. And even the encores were redemanded. The humorous part of the entertainment absolutely and utterly disproved the frequent assertion thlt humor to be acceptable must be tinged with a -'spice'' of slang and vulgarity. There, was not a word or a gesture last night that the most puritanical person could rationally have objected to. Mr. Ford Waltham" immediately captivated his hearers with the "Song of the Anvil," delivered in a full resonant voice, and with every item lie increased aij popularity, at times introducing most ludicrous "business." In "Drinking" he showed great control of his voice. The

"Song of the Toreador" was dramatically rendered by Mr. Alfred Cunningham in a ringing baritone voice, and he vaa subjected to the usual encore. The specially arranged lullaby "Good Night,' by Miss Maud Fane and the six with ''nightie and candle" was a very popular item. Mr. Sydney Manncring, the tenor of the company, sang "Torn Bowling" in the second part with vocal . accompaniment—a pleasing novelty--and everyone of his item'- impressed the audience with the iwei'ption.if ■ quality of his voice. Mr. Edgar War-

wick is the acknowledged humorist, and he is hard to brat. Mr. IYivival Mackenzie's banjo solo in the first part, and his truly "lightning" sketching in the second were remarkabh clever items. There are three ladies in the troupe, and each and every one is an artist. Miss May Glenn and Miss Gertrude •Parker _are the comediennes, and Miss jlaud Pane is tiie soprano. Their various numbers were very capably given. Tu the first part of the entertainment the troupe appeared in the black and scarlet costume of the "troui liadouiv." liut the second was given [ mostly by "jolly sailor?,'' who, however, were remarkably refined and clever

"lars." The quartettes were very line in their conceited melody. Those who want a couple of hours' genuine enjoyment to-night—music and aimKcmcnt can get it at the Theatre limal. A complete change of programme is announced, but fur jmr part this is unnecessary to make us repeat the dose.