ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 306, 20 May 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE WANDERERS." A sparkling programme and a line evening drew a large audience to the Theatre Royal last evening. Mr. (ieorge Stephenson's "Wanderers" were in good heart and voice and there was an air of brightness aliout all their work. Although there is brisk wit and clever business, 110 member of this excellent little band of entertainers uses any inartistic device or suggestive allusion to create a laugh, yet the audience was obviously in a most cheerful mood and laughed lustily. As on Thursday night, Mr. Leslie Holmes' clever comedy, hia facial and anatomical drollery, and the magnetism of his natural art appealed strongly to the audience, He is a gifted entertainer, the worth of whose work is instinctively recognised by the least experienced. In one droll song alone, during which he "personates" a monkey, he is worth a load of mechanical comedians. Miss Ruby Guest pleases almost as greatly with her spontaneous and unstudied vivacity and charm of manner as by her vocal and instrumental work. In mandoline items musical excellence is not subordinated to deftness o£ manipulation, and there is a certain dainty charm about liar banjo work associated with the player herself as well as with the instrument she uses. Miss Phyllis Hopwood Foldi, the monologue entertainer, appeals strongly in her frolicsome items, and into her interpretation of the tense rhythmical philosophies of Ella Wheeler Wilcox she infuses gome warmth. The work of the "Bottle Band" —the instruments being ordinary "dead marines" on strings with a corkscrew for a wallet—is good, and comedian Holmes supplies some laughable business. Mr. J, Lcith Harvey has ft virile tenor voice, especially useful in such songs as "Flight of Ages," and "Take a pair 0! Sparkling Eyes." Miss Madeline Feme used her soprano voico effectively, and Miss Everill Heggic's serjo work is dainty and finished. Mr Herbert Brahms is the capable accompanist. "The Harem Skirt Brigade" and "Living Statuary" turns were received with delight, The company is particularly appealing in chorus work, and its general ability to be naturally humorous and cleanly witty is a most marked feature. The audience throughout gave every indication of its satisfaction.