ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1917, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE DANDIES. Last night the Dandies opened a threenight season in the Empire Theatre, and opened well. For two and a half hours the full house was treated to a sparkling and vivacious entertainment, .and every item received well-merited applause. ' Dandies have paid visits here before, but never have they had such a talented and well-balanced company. One point upon which the stage management may be complimented is that at no time/was there a- stage "to let." All the members, with one exception, are old friends, and the exception, namely, Harry Graham, the man responsible for handing out tho humor. "Potted Poetry" and his version of a fishing expedition were his best items,- and his parts in the farces were also bright. Miss Dorothy Manning and Miss Bradford in the duets "Barcarole" and "Venetian Boat) Song" contributed splendid items; theso ladies' individual efforts were also pleasures. Mis 3 Bradford sang "Bells of Twilight," as encore "Somewhere a Voice"; and she was again encored for singing "Soul of Mine," rendering "Coming Home" as the second number. Miss Manning's items were "Poor Wandering Girl" and "Sleepy Head." Mr. Wellby had ample scope in his songs, "Gentlemen of the King" and "There's a Land," his encores being "Stonecracker John" and "S/merset." "Kelly," with '-the. "L" knocked out, by Mr, Ford, was certainly his beßt, but his other numbers were all nip to the Dandies' high standard. "Seeing Things," a recitation by Miss Ivy Davis, was given as an encore to "Santa Claus"—two enjoyable itemß. But the Dandies' concerts are not complete .without their ensemble and concerted items. All were blight and rollicking, while tho farce "Ragtime Restaurant," with Messrs Graham and Ford as waiters, concluded a'really tiptop programme.! A complete change of programme will be given to-night and to-morrow night. I

, SCOTTISH CONCERT. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Hall was the scene of a large gathering last night, when a patriotic conversazione was held in aid of the funds of Scottish Day at the Mart. The proceedings were pleasantly informal, partaking of the nature of a good old Scottish free-and-easy, with the result that the entertainment was of an unusually sociable and enjoyable character. A capital programme, consisting almost entirely of national items, was presented, and the performers entered as heartily into the spirit of the evening as did their highly appreciative audience, The first item was a pianoforte overture, "Highland Gems," by Mrs. Fredric, and Mr. R. Saunders followed with the amusing song, "Sleepy Tarn," which caused great amusement. The duet "Hunting Tower" so familiar to all who come from Scotland, was effectively rendered by' Mrs. Mc■Whirter and Mr. Fulton, Mr. 0. A. McDonald following with an admirablyplayed euphonium solo, "Mary o' Argyle." "Annie Laurie" was sung with due expression by Mr. W. G. Reid, and then came a cornet solo, "Life's Dream is O'er" by Messrs F. W. G! McLeod and A. Blaiichett, the names of these in. strumentalists being sufficient indication of the quality of their performance. Mr. A. B Macdonald was heard to great advantage in the great patriotic song, "Scots Wha Hae," and Mr. F. W. G. McLeod contributed a diverting ditty entitled "McAllister's Bonnet." The singing of "Auld Robin Gray" by Mrs Leitch was ono of the features of the evening, the accompanying tableau giving additional effect to the beauty and pathos of the ballad. "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem closed an entertainment which was in every way successful and enjoyable. DRIVER, THE MAGICIAN. Although there were several strong counter-attractions, Mr. Thomas W. Driver, the noted magician and spiritualistic fraud exposer, was well patronised last night, when his short New Plymouth season was brought to a successful close. Mr. Driver appears at Waitara tonight and to-morrow night, and at Urenui on Monday.